State has no fiscal accountability

This letter is in regard to the Daily Herald's viewpoint June 28 on the budget crisis in the state.

One must often wonder how the state got into this predicament. Every taxpayer in the state lives on a budget of some sort. The individual taxpayer knows that if he has only $10 to spend, he cannot spend $11. State government, on the other hand, feels that the taxpayers will continue to bail out their incompetence by simply raising taxes while not reducing expenditures.

In the last few weeks there have been stories of furlough days for state employees, union and salary personnel, but not one mention that any elected official was willing to give up any of his salary or benefits to help with this current budget deficit. By the way, our elected officials can grant themselves a pay raise without taxpayer approval.

Let's compare a private business with state government. The business is losing money and has a revenue shortfall. The business cannot raise its price, as this would put it at a disadvantage in the marketplace. State government, on the other hand, continues to spend with no accountability. And when the revenue is not there they simply raise taxes.

Granted, the budget deficit did not happen overnight; however, it appears that the foxes are guarding the henhouse and we as taxpayers have allowed the foxes to guard the henhouse by re-electing the same foxes over and over.

Taxes don't solve the problem. Accountability and common sense is what is needed. In revenue, it does not mean you can spend $20.

Fred A. Dresser

Geneva