Note: emphasis by ME (not Jane).
The Belknap County Delegation has been working to put together a fair and equitable budget for our citizens. Unfortunately, there have been those who seek to demonize the conservative majority for their desire to prepare a fair and fiscally conservative budget. The hysterical hyperbole from Rep. Ruth Gulick and Rep. Dennis Fields has been at times most unprofessional. In addition, a goodly portion of the desired information requested by the delegation (from the Administrator and Commissioners) has not always been delivered in a timely or complete manner. It cannot be denied, the Belknap Convention budget process has been almost painful in the extreme.
There was discussion at the Feb. 24 Delegation meeting about the current trajectory of spending being quite unsustainable. One citizen at the public hearing rightly pointed out, ‘If overspending continues, workers could find themselves without jobs!’ Money will eventually run out if this trajectory does not change. Some members of the delegation have issues with discussions about ‘taking the taxpayer into account‘. But, it is important to note, taxpayers pay not only 100% salaries and benefits of the public sector, they frequently do so with the inability to fund these type of benefits for themselves. We should never ignore this fact. And while public workers do indeed pay taxes as well, one should be empathetic towards the taxpayer who may not be able to fund their own insurance, but are expected to subsidize others’ health insurance. This issue, though most contentious, will need to be addressed in the near future. No matter where you may stand on this issue, the money will soon run out. And honest compromise will be the linchpin to finding a solution to possible dissolution!
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