[Vision2020] Otter cutting help for families ... AMID BUDGETSURPLUS

[Mark Solomon]

Surely you know Donovan that most bills go to the 
governor for signature after the legislature has 
adjourned making it a simple matter for the 
governor to veto any bill he (or she, but this is 
Idaho) wishes lame duck or not. In fact, a lame 
duck governor has even less to lose in utilizing 
the veto pen.

The difference here is between Otter and his 
predecessors in office and the process of 
governing. The difference between you and me and 
our view of political process is immaterial. 
Otter had ample opportunity to make his views 
known to the Legislature and the state while the 
Legislature was in session on the programs 
defunded. He chose not to.

Mark

At 9:17 PM -0700 5/19/07, Donovan Arnold wrote:
>Yeah Mark, nothing scarier than voting against a 
>lame duck. One would think you knew better than 
>this. Its called political capital.
>
>Best,
>
>Donovan
>
>Mark Solomon <msolomon at moscow.com> wrote:
>
>I'll just simply point out that the Legislature 
>had no problem rejecting Kempthorne's 
>"Experience Idaho" proposal to revamp the state 
>parks, his top priority for his last year in 
>office.
>
>m.
>
>At 2:17 PM -0700 5/19/07, Donovan Arnold wrote:
>
>>Mark,
>>
>
>
>You know as well as I do that while the entire 
>legislature must vote on an bill for it to pass, 
>you must also know that the Governor can kill 
>any bill and future dreams of a state legislator 
>with the single stroke of his veto pen. No 
>reasonable legislature is going to bury his 
>political career and hopes of getting 
>legislation through to help his district by 
>voting against the pet projects of the Governor 
>and his family unless he has some overwhelming 
>and compelling reason to do so.
>
>
>
>So it isn't hyperbole, it is just the sad 
>disgusting reality of how legislation is 
>made, just like sausage, it isn't something you 
>want to talk about or watch. But, I think you 
>already know this and just like to pretend that 
>all legislation and funding for programs is 
>based on the merit of the program, not the 
>political positions of those who sponsor and 
>champion them.
>
>
>
>The state government has not shrunk, look at the 
>budget, it is getting bigger, not smaller. 
>Losses in health care, education, and assisted 
>living are generally the result of lost revenue, 
>or a decision made by the federal or local 
>governments. Such as the loss of our assisted 
>living and ONLY skilled nursing facility for the 
>indigent was a local decision made by 
>misinformed people. Why do you think Head Start 
>is more important than the care of the indigent 
>elderly that cannot work?
>
>
>
>The surplus is just on paper, there isn't really 
>one because the federal government is cutting 
>its assistance to Idaho by about 22%. 
>That 75 million will be consumed by this deficit 
>and rising costs of current programs. The rest 
>needs to be there in case of emergencies or a 
>slowing down in the economy, which is likely to 
>happen in the near future.
>
>
>
>I do agree with you that the sales tax increase 
>of 15% should be removed, if that is what you 
>are contenting. It is a hurtful action taken 
>against the people of Idaho that clearly hurts 
>the economy and residents of lesser means, 
>disproportionately.
>
>
>
>Best,
>
>
>Donovan
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Mark Solomon <msolomon at moscow.com> wrote:
>
>Donovan,
>
>
>I'm sure you know that it takes a vote of the 
>entire Legislature and the signature of the 
>governor to authorize spending of state revenue 
>on Head Start or any other state program. No one 
>else, not even a governor's wife, has the 
>authority. So why resort to rhetorical 
>hyperbole? You know better than that.
>
>
>And why find additional revenue when the current 
>tax program is already generating a surplus? A 
>surplus made possible by continual cutting of 
>state programs over the past decade including 
>state support of physical and mental health 
>programs, assisted living programs, state 
>employee salaries, K-12 and secondary 
>education... the list goes on and on. All while 
>the tax burden that remains shifts more and more 
>to the middle class homeowner away from the 
>large business interests.
>
>
>I'd be curious to see from which segment of the 
>economy/population the "surplus" revenue is 
>being generated. Anyone know? Sales? Income? One 
>thing that occurs to me is that when the sales 
>tax was raised to 6% to support the property tax 
>shift away from businesses it was assumed for 
>budgeting purposes that the grocery part of the 
>sales tax equation would be addressed to restore 
>some remote semblance of equity. We all know 
>that didn't happen. Could that be the source of 
>the "surplus"?
>
>
>Mark
>
>
>At 12:58 PM -0700 5/19/07, Donovan Arnold wrote:
>
>>Hansen,
>>
>
>
>
>Otter is not eliminating Head Start, he is 
>cutting the new programs added to it in the last 
>few years by the previous Governor's wife.
>
>
>
>
>The federal government is eliminating revenue 
>to our state government so we don't have a 
>surplus at the end of the day.
>
>
>
>
>
>If people want to save the new programs, they 
>should find an alternative form of funding 
>them rather than attacking the current Governor 
>for not providing those funds that don't exist. 
>It is easy to attack someone than to do the 
>work, I understand that, but it doesn't resolve 
>the problem does it?
>
>
>
>
>What do you suggest the Governor cut instead 
>Hansen, education, medicare, government 
>education, food stamps, UI auxillary services? 
>Where do you see the fattest part of the 
>government?
>
>
>
>
>Cutting the newest programs always makes the 
>most sense unless you do the work of finding 
>other programs that can be eliminated. So far I 
>haven't seen any recommendations of what else to 
>cut--just complaining and finger pointing.
>
>
>
>
>Best,
>
>
>
>
>Donovan
>
>Tom Hansen <thansen at moscow.com> wrote:
>
>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* 
>{behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* 
>{behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape 
>{behavior:url(#default#VML);} 
>st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }
>
>And yet, just when you think he has a minuscule 
>grasp on things, Arnold mumbles:
>
>
>
>
>“If we spend all of our surplus on new 
>government programs and the surplus runs out, 
>how do we continue to support those programs?”
>
>
>
>
>Head Start is NOT a ‘new government program’, 
>Arnold.  It has been around since Johnson was in 
>the White House.
>
>
>
>
>If you had taken the time to read the article 
>referenced by Debbie Gray, and posted by yours 
>truly, you would have noticed:
>
>
>
>
>“Among the cuts: $800,000 in federal welfare 
>funds that Idaho now directs to the Parents as 
>Teachers program, a program that was highlighted 
>in the "What Works" feature as part of last 
>month's Spokesman-Review series on child abuse, 
>"Our kids: Our business." Contract termination 
>notices have gone out to all providers receiving 
>those funds, saying their contracts with the 
>state will end June 15.”
>
>
>
>
>So, instead of going to bat for the children of 
>Idaho and challenging these federal funds cuts, 
>Otter simply makes cuts in functioning (and much 
>appreciated) state programs, as the state 
>surplus approaches $100 million.  I am sure that 
>Simplot and the ranchers of southern Idaho are 
>happy, though.
>
>
>
>
>Tom Hansen
>
>Moscow, Idaho
>
>
>
>
>"I think one of the best ways to support 
>education is to make successful private schools 
>like Logos prosper through tax exemption."
>
>
>- Donovan Arnold (July 11, 2005)
>
>
>From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com 
>[mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com] On Behalf 
>Of Donovan Arnold
>Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2007 12:10 PM
>To: Mark Solomon; Glenn Schwaller; vision2020 at moscow.com
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Otter cutting help for 
>families ... AMID BUDGETSURPLUS
>
>
>
>
>Mark,
>
>
>
>
>If we spend all of our surplus on new government 
>programs and the surplus runs out, how do we 
>continue to support those programs?
>
>
>
>
>It is surplus, not regular revenue. It is like 
>getting a bonus from work and taking out a new 
>loan.
>
>
>
>
>We are in a time of a relatively good economy. 
>When the economy tanks, or the federal 
>government takes away funding, like it is next 
>year, you need to have resources to keep the 
>government running without an increased burden 
>on a hurting people.
>
>
>
>
>The government is suppose to help people out 
>where they cannot help themselves, not do 
>everything for the people.
>
>
>
>
>I also advise you to rethink the constant 
>expansion of government. "The government big 
>enough to give you everything you want is big 
>enough to take away everything you have." 
>--President Ford.
>
>
>
>
>Best,
>
>
>
>
>Donovan
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Mark Solomon <msolomon at moscow.com> wrote:
>
>One very real difference is Idaho has the money.
>The Idaho budget, as of the end of April, is
>estimated to be running at a $100 million surplus
>for FY 2007 based on tax revenues to date. The
>sad thing is the last three governors have chosen
>to cut taxes and further reduce programs in the
>face of budget surpluses and not fund government
>delivery of services or state employee wages and
>benefits. They seem to subscribe to Grover
>Norquist's admonition that government should be
>downsized so it can be drowned in a bathtub.
>
>Mark
>
>>Oh Dear - I can't let this one get away. Some my find this to be
>
>  >juveline and sarcastic, but other may find it on point. Time will
>>tell. . . .
>>
>>". . .the governor is eliminating $1.5 million in early-childhood and
>>family programs next month for fear of declining federal funds."
>>
>>I believe this is offered up as a "bad thing" however Mr Hansen
>>states, defending MSD's spending freeze:
>>
>>"The Moscow School District has frozen its budget (and put several
>>teachers on notice, I might add) as a precautionary measure . . .
>>(because) It is what big boys and girls do. . . when the possibility
>>exists that the money they were promised . . .might not be realized."
>>
>>This spending freeze is however, a "good thing."
>>
>>Schwaller
>>
>>On 5/19/07, Debbie Gray wrote:
>>>Otter cutting help for families
>>>Plan comes amid budget surplus
>>>
>>>Betsy Z. Russell
>>>Staff writer, Spokesman Review
>>>May 18, 2007
>>>
>>>BOISE - Idaho has a $75 million budget surplus,
>>>legislative leaders learned Thursday, but the governor
>>>is eliminating $1.5 million in early-childhood and
>>>family programs next month for fear of declining
>>>federal funds.
>>>
>>>"It's a problem with the funding stream," said Jon
>>>Hanian, Gov. Butch Otter's press secretary.
>>>
>>>Among the cuts: $800,000 in federal welfare funds that
>>>Idaho now directs to the Parents as Teachers program,
>>>a program that was highlighted in the "What Works"
>>>feature as part of last month's Spokesman-Review
>>>series on child abuse, "Our kids: Our business."
>>>Contract termination notices have gone out to all
>>>providers receiving those funds, saying their
>>>contracts with the state will end June 15.
>>>
>>>It's not yet clear how far-reaching the impact will
>>>be; some of those programs also have other funding
>>>sources, but smaller ones may not. The program
>>>provides education and resources to parents of young
>>>children from before birth to kindergarten.
>>>
>>>"There has been no discussion about the merits of the
>>>program," said House Minority Leader Wendy Jaquet,
>>>D-Ketchum. "You just don't, you don't do it this way."
>>>
>>>The Legislative Council, which includes legislative
>>>leaders from both houses and both parties along with
>>>other senators and representatives, voted Thursday to
>>>ask the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee to
>>>investigate what's in the state budget for Parents as
>>>Teachers and what the governor is planning. The joint
>
>  >>budget committee has its summer meeting June 4-6.
>>>
>>>Otter also is eliminating the Executive Office for
>>>Families and Children and most of the programs it
>>>oversees on June 15, and laying off the state
>>>employees in that office. In addition to Parents as
>>>Teachers, the office includes the Council on
>>>Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, the Governor's
>>>Coordinating Council for Families and Children, the
>>>Suicide Prevention Council, and more; some of those
>>>functions will be moved into the Health and Welfare
>>>Department. He's also considering eliminating $1.5
>>>million in federal funds that Idaho directs each year
>>>to the Head Start preschool program, which lawmakers
>>>allocated to Head Start in 1999 to expand it to 300
>>>more low-income children.
>>>
>>>Lawmakers said they had no idea the governor was
>>>making the cuts until news reports surfaced this week.
>>>
>>>"What I know is what I read in the newspaper, and
>>>that's all," said Senate President Pro-Tem Bob Geddes,
>>>R-Soda Springs.
>>>
>>>Senate Minority Leader Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum,
>>>asked, "The Legislature passed the appropriation for
>  >>the Parents as Teachers - how can that be summarily
>>>dismissed and canceled?"
>>>
>>>Legislative budget director Cathy Holland-Smith
>>>responded that the item is within the child welfare
>>>appropriation of the state Health and Welfare budget
>>>but didn't have a specific line item.
>>>
>>>The program was started by former Gov. Dirk Kempthorne
>>>through an executive order after lawmakers rejected
>>>it, but they've made no move to remove it from the
>>>budgets they approved each year since then.
>>>
>>>Jaquet said, "My parent educator told me that (former
>>>Gov.) Jim Risch signed a yearlong contract with the
>>>federal government. They knew that they were set for
>
>  >>this year. © It was embedded in the budget."
>>>
>>>Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake, who serves on the
>>>council, said, "It just raises a lot of questions, and
>>>I'm certain there are good reasons, because I don't
>>>think the intention of the executive branch would be
>>>to do any harm."
>>>
>>>Anderson added, "JFAC will get to the bottom of it."
>>>
>>>Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, JFAC co-chairman, who
>>>attended the meeting, said, "I'm like Sen. Geddes -
>>>the only thing I've basically read is what's been in
>>>the paper." Cameron said he was "very comfortable"
>>>with the council's request. "I think we ought to have
>>>the opportunity to review it," he said.
>>>
>>>He added, "There have been some legitimate questions
>>>over time about the cost-effectiveness of the
>>>programs. © The executive branch does have the
>>>authority to run their agencies and make sure that the
>>>money is handled appropriately when we're not here in
>>>session."
>>>
>>>Hanian said the governor's office has merely been
>>>reacting to a legislative audit that suggested there
>>>could be problems directing federal welfare funds to
>>>the Generation of the Child programs and Head Start.
>>>
>>>Though the federal government hasn't objected to that
>>>funding in past years, last year it objected to using
>>>Temporary Assistance to Needy Families money for an
>>>immunization registry and for poison control, and the
>>>state audit suggested these programs could be rejected
>>>next.
>>>
>>>Idaho's legislative auditor, Don Berg, was questioned
>>>by the Legislative Council on Thursday, and he said he
>>>hasn't even been able to publicly release the audit
>>>yet because he's waiting for the JFAC co-chairs to
>>>sign off on it.
>>>
>>>"It's all alarming news to me," Berg told the council.
>>>The audit questioned the use of the federal welfare
>>>funds, and the Health and Welfare Department responded
>>>that they are allowable costs under the program. "And
>>>now it's a surprise to have the governor pulling these
>>>things," he said.
>>>
>>>Hanian said, "We're trying to find and identify what
>>>our options may be, in terms of funding for some of
>>>these programs. We don't have a solution yet, but what
>>>we have to do is get these programs off this funding
>>>source."
>>>
>>>Hanian said that doesn't necessarily mean that all the
>>>programs will be eliminated - some other funding could
>
>  >>be identified.
>>>
>>>"We've gotten calls here from people who think we're
>>>killing Head Start.
>>>
>>>"That's just flat-out wrong," he said.
>>>
>>>But the governor did decide to move ahead with the
>>>other cuts.
>>>
>>>"The approach was, we're going to do that first and
>>>then, over the course of the next couple weeks, figure
>>>out what our alternatives are in terms of funding
>>>them," Hanian said.
>>>
>>>The council's vote followed news that Idaho has an
>>>unexpected $75 million budget surplus for this year,
>>>thanks to a huge overrun in individual income tax
>>>revenues in April.
>>>
>>>If that growth proves permanent, the state could have
>>>a $100 million surplus in the budget lawmakers already
>>>have set for the next fiscal year, which starts July
>>>1.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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