During 2010 session, special fund raids are the battle
During the 2010 legislative session, the battle will be about special funds raids. Two of the more enticing special fund targets will, of course, be the the Working Cash Stabilization Fund – commonly called the “rainy day” fund – and the Health Care Trust Fund.
It has long been understood at the Legislature that lawmakers didn’t have to let a little thing like not having any money get in the way of governing. Short of money? Well, then, let’s raid the special funds, let’s make some deficit appropriations or let’s spend next year’s money this year.
In the days before the current worldwide recession, those tactics might have been distasteful, but legislators could normally wrangle a workable budget out of those strategies and get by with it.
Not this year. Not by a long shot. Won’t work. Won’t begin to work.
Clarion-Ledger
11/4/9
