Governor: Across-the-board cuts not the answer

By David Montgomery
Published/Last Modified on Monday, Jan 11, 2010 - 05:40:22 pm CST

PIERRE -- Gov. Mike Rounds said Monday he’s skeptical about some lawmakers’ calls for broader spending cuts this year.

“If they want to cut I’ll look at each one of the programs they want to cut. But I want them to be specific for each program they want to cut,” Rounds said. “They’re not going to find me accepting a broad proposal, saying ‘I want you to cut 3 percent but keep all your services the same.’”

Many lawmakers said the prospect of a $100 million structural deficit next year if revenues do not improve means state spending should be further reduced this year.

“We’re going to do what we can to buffer the next year’s budget,” said Rep. Ryan Olson, R-Onida. “My agenda is going to be to try and look at those areas that we’ve added to in the last decade or so and really try and separate what’s going to not cost us more in the long run. What can we get by without?"

But Rounds said a better proposal is to hold spending down and be optimistic about future revenue growth.

“If we can hold them down it means we can begin the movement out of this recession,” Rounds said.

But the governor criticized legislators proposing across-the-board cuts as not being willing to make specific — and controversial — proposals.

“It’s easy to say we’re going to cut and let somebody else do it,” Rounds said. “They’re going to be held accountable for those types of discussions.”

Rounds said he doesn’t believe legislators will have the stomach to cut specific programs, citing the reaction in 2009 to proposed cuts to the state Arts Council, the Birth to 3 program and the state autism center.

“I don’t think there’s specific programs out there they’re going to cut,” Rounds said. “You saw the firestorm that comes when you cut something from the arts."

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Boldy wrote on Feb 15, 2010 4:22 AM:

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Tom Gerber wrote on Jan 14, 2010 4:58 PM:

" Here is a suggestion for reducing FTEs.
Cut all "spokesperson" FTEs. If an official can't speak for himself or herself, then that person shoujldn't hold the job.
Sure, I recognize that officials like to hide behind a spokesperson, but that doesn't mean it is good government. "

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