The Arkansas Citizens First Congress and the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families have released a statement backing Gov. Mike Beebe’s opposition to budget cuts beyond what he’s already offered in the current legislative session. Further cuts affect critical services, they say.
My interjection: This has become wholly a political game instigated by the Republican Party to land a satchel-mouth bass to hang over the party fireplace. Beebe gave them a crappie (make that a sunfish) instead, which some would argue is more than they deserve on the strength of Rep. John Burris’ non-specific and arbitrary call for a flat cut against a roster of agencies mostly distinguished by the ill will held against them by Republican House members. Senate Republicans have been more responsible. They’d like to get a commitment to guarantee future reserves for Medicaid needs. Beebe responds, correctly, that the surplus money isn’t going anywhere. He says, however, that fiscal handcuffs on that money wouldn’t be prudent in case of future emergency.
Here’s the thing: In 2013, that surplus can’t be spent on pork barrel, as some fear, without three-fourths approval of the General Assembly. So, any accumulating surplus will be available for Medicaid and other vital needs unless a bipartisan super majority puts personal interests ahead of statewide needs.
Let’s wrap up this pointless fiscal session and go home.