Here is Doug Rainey’s commentary:
It is hard to find much to like about the $3.9 billion state budget that was signed by the governor shortly before the sun came up on Wednesday.
The budget manages to eke out the usual 2.5 percent spending increase by tapping into one-time settlement funds and pruning expenses.
Revenues remain flat for reasons ranging from an aging population (more retirees making less money) to a global economy that is driving down wages.
Education and health care seemed to get enough funding, despite suspicions that a little trimming could be done. Again, this is from the outside looking in. We don’t get a great deal of insight into such things in the current process.
Transportation remains Delaware’s third rail in politics as legislators cower at the thought of hearing from upset constituents about the gas tax.
Meanwhile, the Joint Finance Committee performed some magic, tapping into a large chunk of the settlement funds involving the lending practices of large banks. A large constituency wanted the money used for police patrols and the victims of bank lending practices. It was not to be.
Normally, if everyone is unhappy, it must have been a pretty good budget. Not so, this time around.
There was less back slapping, talk about burning the midnight oil or any other cliché you want to come up with.
Granted, things have improved from the past. Delawareans may remember waking up one morning many years ago and finding out the state owned a couple of golf courses.
The far bigger problem involves the prospect of a $100 million deficit in 2016.
Click on the link below for the complete commentary
Delaware’s bigger problem? A possible $100 million deficit — NewsWorks.
