The house finance committee today passed two state budget proposals. One requires no tax increases, but relies on cuts, and 19 million dollars in as yet unspecified savings to close the budget gap. The other, funds more services, but calls for a 39 cent increase in the cigarette tax. Both proposals go before the full legislature next week.
According to house?s top budget writer, the finance committee has performed ably during difficult times. Finance chairman Neal Kurk says the committee?s two pronged approach to the budget was informed by two requirements??.to pass a balanced plan to the house??and ensure state doesn?t shirk its responsibilities.
"A significant majority of the finance committee believed that the add on numbers are important for the state to function well?.and to provide the services that I think everybody thinks need to be provided."
But whether or not ?everybody? will be willing to pay for services with a cigarette tax is very much in doubt. House leadership is adamantly opposed to raising taxes. And Governor Benson has long pledged a veto?That?s hardly news to Chairman Kurk. But Kurk also says leadership and the governor serve other masters.
?The governor has a different constituency --a statewide constitutancy -- and he?s interpreted his mandate as he?s often expressed as no new taxes?.No way?.And we understand that?.House leadership has made it very clear -- they do not support a cigarette tax increase -- And they are responsible and answer to a republican perspective on things?..And while a majority of the finance committee are republicans and we reflect those views we often reflect the state interests and out constituents interests."
Such words are winning Chairman Kurk some atypical allies.
?I stand in open admiration for the chairman of the committee.?
That?s house democratic leader Peter Burling.
?Obviously I?m going to spend the rest of the week trying to get my votes together to be there in support of whatever republicans want to pass a reasonable budget.?
But rest assured Burling is the only lawmaker preparing to marshal votes. Republican House Whip Rogers Johnson predicts easy passage for the budget proposal that doesn?t require new revenue?..And a pitched battle over every line item in the larger budget proposal.
?I can tell you with almost certainty that you may see something next week that we?ve never seen before and that is the absolute dissection of the b budget?.line by line an that is something this house has never seen before?..And you can see it coming.?
Fellow republican Larry Emerton, who headed one of the house budget writing panels said the bill has already had such treatment.
?We spent over three solid weeks five days a week going through line after line and going through and listing to all sorts of thing and the decision we made were line with what folks wish?.In regard to the cigarette tax. -- if they find another tax more palatable I?d vote for it.?
Such sentiments?..and the prospect that a bipartisan coalition could muster the votes needed to pass a tax increase?.have left some anti-taxers reeling. New Hampton republican, Fran Wendleboe.
?It?s scary to see all those republicans supporting tax increases when they ran on no new taxes. It?s scary.?
Both budget plans will hit the house floor next Thursday.
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