6:00: Morning News

McElhinny: No fun for anyone when the state budget gets beached

COMMENTARY

Well, here we are, a week into July with an almost completely functioning state government.

Not every state can say that. There but for the sake of beached Chris Christie go we.

Brad McElhinny

New Jersey shut down for three days when its government couldn’t come up with a budget before the start of the new fiscal year July 1.

This had meant tens of thousands of state workers being sent home, closure of state offices like the Division of Motor Vehicles, the closure of state parks and — oh yeah! — the closure of public beaches for everyone except, you know, the guy who resides in the governor’s mansion.

New Jersey is getting practice, though. This was the second shutdown in state history.

Sunbathing aside, Illinois has been in an even worse mess.

Illinois has been functioning without a budget for the better part of two years. The state had racked up millions of dollars in unpaid bills, its pension system is severely underfunded and its colleges risked loss of accreditation.

Here we’ve worried about the financial effects of a bond rating downgrade from, say, AA1 to AA2. Illinois has been on the verge of being downgraded to actual junk bond status.

The Illinois House of Delegates was set to vote today on overriding a budget veto by the governor, who says legislators are imposing too much of a tax increase without additional reforms.

This is like looking at West Virginia through a cracked mirror. Here the governor vetosĀ because legislators aren’t spending enough.

Even Maine wasn’t spared from this difficult state budget year. MaineĀ ended its own shutdown at 1 a.m. Tuesday when state lawmakers voted in favor of a two-year, $7.1 billion spending plan.

Maine also has experience with this. It also shut down in 1991. In this case, the Fourth of July holiday helped mitigate many of the effects.

For two years in a row, West Virginia has gone right up to the edge of a shutdown before finally reaching a budget agreement. One of the things we said to ourselves was “Oh, nobody will let that happen. It’d be too bad.”

But if you take a look around, other states have done it.

We’re only six months away from budget talks starting right up again. If our leaders remain too far apart, over-complicate potential solutions or let hurt feelings get in the way of rational thought, our state could wind up right there with miserable company.

This year, they deserve some credit for finally steering clear of these painful outcomes.

If showing up is 80 percent of life, let’s keep on showing up. Our government might not be taking us on a rocket ride, but at least the launching pad is open.

 

 





More News

News
Dunlow Volunteer Fire Department closes
The Dunlow VFD did not have a valid workers compensation insurance policy.
March 29, 2024 - 1:23 am
News
As Yeager Airport's Wildlife Patrol Dog turns 7, a new dog comes in to learn from him
The new Border Collie is getting acclimated and receiving training for his soon-to-be role.
March 28, 2024 - 6:30 pm
News
PEIA examines financial effects of new law meant to ensure local pharmacies get fair reimbursements
Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 453 into law this week.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm
News
Barbour County woman sentenced after death case sent back to circuit court by Supreme Court
Carli Reed sentenced on voluntary manslaughter conviction.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm