AUGUST 7, 2001
Thank you Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate.
With all due respect, we can do better. We can do much better than to increase state spending at this time. We can do much better than to leave this state with a tremendous deficit when we return in October or November or next January.
I voted against this budget in July because I could not vote for increased spending. I'm going to vote against this budget again today by upholding the Governor's veto. You talk about responsibility! How could anyone think for a moment that it is responsible to leave the state with a quarter billion dollar deficit when we return when it is not necessary? How can some who call themselves fiscal conservatives vote to increase spending at a time like this?
It has been my policy as we have worked through potential options to emphasize reductions, reallocations and reforms. And the only movement I have seen toward true reform has been in the last week as we have confronted the very real possibility that some of us might hold the line on increased spending.
There are a lot of things I don't agree with the Governor on, and the Governor has pretty well left me alone this session. I know his position, he knows mine, and most members here in the Senate know my position. But I am troubled when I hear my friends and constituents, who are equally as conservative in fiscal matters as I, who are so confused that they think we should override this veto and assure more than a 5% increase in state spending at this time. It's "through the looking glass"; it's upside down; it's not right.
We don't have anything to fear by upholding the veto and demonstrating to the people of this state that we can continue to live within our means based upon the budget we passed in June. Yes, we can do better, and I'm convinced, without the increased spending at this time, we will do better.
I would encourage my colleagues here in the Senate not to vote to override this veto at this time. No good can come of it, Mr. Speaker. A quarter of a billion dollar deficit is a hole deeper than we ought to dig.
I thank you.
