Dennis Cauchon in USA Today shocks with State, local spending up despite downturn - 'Dire' situation fed by overambitious plans:
State and local governments are spending more money and hiring more people than last year, even as governors and mayors warn of draconian cuts in public services because of the economic slump.This con game is more reliable than Three Card Monte. Get set for the hysteria.
The National Governors Association says states face the ''most dire fiscal situation since World War II.'' But a USA TODAY analysis shows that most of the budget cuts being studied are not declines in spending from last year. Instead, they are reductions in spending increases that were approved when the U.S. economy was booming.
For example, Minnesota legislators approved spending based on an expected 13.4% jump in tax revenue over the next two years. But tax collections are expected to rise 6.6%. The result: $4.6 billion must be cut. But those cuts would be from planned spending; actual spending is still expected to rise from present levels.
Link via Radley Balko at TheAgitator.com who also has a revealing Fox News article on Who Funds the Left?
