Brummett: A Primer On The Current Budget Debate

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette political columnist John Brummett offers a Q&A session with himself to explain the ins-and-outs of the current budget debate at the state capitol.

Gov. Mike Beebe (D) has offered a $4.72 billion budget proposal that has the backing of the bipartisan Joint Budget Committee, which is controlled by Democratic legislators.

The Republican Legislative Caucus has proposed a $4.70 billion budget, roughly $21 million less, that includes 3% cuts to 11 state agencies, restoration of some funding to the Corrections Department and the movement of $14 million from a budget surplus for Medicaid funding.

By week’s end, there was discord between Democrats and Republicans over the budget proposals, but nothing truly insurmountable. Writes Brummett:

Q: What is this budget spat all about at this  fiscal session at the Legislature?

A: Republicans, led by 26-year-old John Burris of Harrison, say state government’s budget next year should not grow more than the state’s economy grew the past 12 months. So they want to take $21 million, a minuscule percentage, from Gov. MIke Beebe’s proposed budget. The governor’s budget assumes about 3.5 percent government revenue growth. The Republican paring by $21 million would get the budget closer to the 3 percent rate of current economic growth.

Q: So is this just politics?

A: It is politics. I question the use of the word “just.”

Q: How will it all end?

A: The governor and Democratic legislators ought to give Republicans a few million dollars in cuts. Somewhere between zero and $21 million there is a number, an arbitrary number lacking any compelling reason or logic, and state government will survive it.

You can read Brummett’s full take here.