Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Voters expect conservatism

Voters expect conservatism

Nov 25, 2006 - 04:06:07 CST

By DUSTIN GAWRYLOW
Mandan

Now that the election is over, there is still one major task that the citizens and voters of this state must undertake. We must tell our representatives that we will not accept a 12.7 percent increase of the total state budget again and that we will not accept such a large overall increase while the education budget is increased by only 3.5 percent.

During the last legislative session, spending on "general government" increased by 26.3 percent, or $79 million, while funding for education increased by 3.5 percent ($31 million). While the state of North Dakota document these figures are cited from does not define "general government," it is certainly no stretch to say these numbers are a little lopsided and should probably have been reversed.

If the current majority wants to prove that it still is a vehicle for fiscal conservatism, it will make actual cuts in the cost of "general government," actual cuts, not just cuts in the rate of growth. These cuts can then be added to the governor's plan to increase education funding without a tax increase and without tapping the surplus.

There are still reasons that North Dakota votes for Republicans, and it is not to increase spending by 12.7 percent. The voters of this state must not allow their elected representatives to squander their money. It is bad enough that the taxpayers of this state were overcharged in the first place, but the surplus must not be used to pump up the ongoing budget outlays for the state, in turn causing future increases in taxation to be needed.

One priority for the surplus must be used to relieve property taxes by increasing funding to education. That increased state funding must be tied to local subdivisions, either cutting property taxes or developing their own rainy-day fund. Any state relief must be tied to the understanding that the funding is not for new spending.

A portion of the surplus must also be used to stem the skyrocketing cost of college tuition. If the rate of tuition is not restrained, the state will lose the competitive advantage of cost over schools in Minnesota and elsewhere.

No matter what the surplus is spent on, our representatives must be held responsible. If the surplus is squandered on pet projects and obscene increases of spending, it can be assured that the current majority party will lose even more seats than it did on Nov. 7. The people elected them as conservatives. Now it is time for them to be conservative.

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Comments

Beesh wrote on Nov 25, 2006 9:40 PM:

" The reason education did not get the exact percentage increase is because education did not request or require a higher percentage. You people bemoan that North Dakota does nothing to improve itself so the young adults will stick around. Then you want to decrease the amount of money the legislators are to raise or spend. If you truly want decreased government, do not vote for liberals, they are the tax and spenders. College tuition is higher here is because our colleges provide nationally ranked services with a fraction of the number of students other major universities have. If you don't recall, the surplus is due to a tobacco settlement we receive(d). Nohing to do with over taxation. You need to open your eyes and think. Your logic is flawed. "

WHATEVER wrote on Nov 25, 2006 5:11 PM:

" I read the results of the election quite differently. Democrats gained 13 legislative seats, which is significant, and quite a shift to the "left". I get sick of these rightwing ideologues who think they speak for North Dakota. It is a presumptive and pompous attitude that assumes that voters are "conservative". The past election proves that people have had enough "conservatism" for awhile and want to move in a more progressive direction. "

Conservative wrote on Nov 25, 2006 3:41 PM:

" We should see very much conservatism during the next couple of years. Most democrats ran on conservative ideas just to get elected. Let's wait and see if they remain conservative or have just paid lip service. "

Practical wrote on Nov 25, 2006 11:55 AM:

" The writer dosn't understand the simple fact that the surplus isn't from us being over taxed; it comes from programs being under funded. Much of the spending increases come from higher energy prices and corporate/business welfare. "

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