State has priority, not revenue, problem

Recently, I was asked by a prominent member of the higher education community in Louisiana what my solution was to the projected revenue shortfall for higher education. Given the person’s background and knowledge, I was highly-complimented that I was asked. Here was my response:

I’m not convinced that the state has a revenue problem. Nor am I convinced that the money is the solution to what ails LA. I believe the state has a problem with its priorities as well as its continued use of incremental budgeting.

As to a resolution of the poor priorities, the state/governor/leges should first set forth their priorities from top to bottom along with the projected cost of each for the next fiscal year. I really don’t care what criteria is used (each agency head can arm wrestle), only that the final list be made available to the media and the public. For example, if an English professor at LSU is a lower priority than the executive director of Riz Up Louisiana the public has the right to know.

Then, whatever the Revenue Estimating Conference determines is available for expenditure, these priorities are funded in order of highest priority to lowest. When the money runs out, those not funded are out of business.  The public will speak to the priorities by making an informed vote on those we hire to manage our state. I’ll live with the results whatever they are.

The taxpayers are getting a bit weary of having a gun held to our head each year and being told we either must sacrifice more in terms of more tax dollars or reduced services or the world as we know will seek to exist.  We’ve heard the cry of “wolf” once too often.

A little sympathy for the hardworking taxpayers of Louisiana who are making huge financial sacrifices because of national and worldwide financial problems over which we have no control would go a long way. I’ve not heard one person in a position of leadership in Louisiana express any concern for us and offer to make similar sacrifices.

Obviously, my solution is not what you wanted. However, I am not in a position to micro-manage state government. I can only offer advice from a macro-management perspective. Implementing the details is the job of the agency heads; that’s what they are paid to do.

C.B.