Local
citizens pass on ideas for easing N.C.'s budget
problems
By Casey
Hurley
When legislators consider the
state budget crisis, they look through a political lens. They discuss
zero-based budgeting models, raising taxes and cutting spending. Few "big
ideas" emerge.
Therefore, in a recent article
on the state budget crisis, I concluded: "we should not expect
revolutionary ideas to emerge in government."
If these are the kinds of
"big ideas" needed to address our economic crisis, and govern
ourselves in ways that improve the quality of life, where will they come from?
Local citizens had several ideas.
A drive across
This approach would mean that
environmental legislation, for example, could be targeted to just those regions
where it makes sense. This idea may run counter to our "equal protection
under the law" principle, but "big ideas" have never been
implemented without rethinking fundamental assumptions and applying creative
solutions.
In a recent column, Western
Carolina University Chancellor John Bardo asked
legislators to examine the other side of this state boundaries issue (AC-T,
Jan. 12, Page A9): " . . . it is important to look beyond our borders and
link Western North Carolina with nearby technology clusters in surrounding
states." In other words, when possible, form partnerships that cross state
borders.
This may be the right time for
Southeastern states to work together. Other states have worked across borders.
In the 1970s, for example, both
Lee McMinn, of Brevard, wants
legislators to hold a lottery referendum. He wrote, "It was unconscionable
that our representatives, who reflect the will of the people, didn't allow the
will of the people to be expressed, even in something as nonbinding as the
lottery referendum."
He also suggested that
Swannanoa resident Michael
Morgan said
He also suggested that the
state building code should encourage the use of solar power on new
construction, and the state should pass laws protecting clean water. He believes
Don Yelton
also had an idea that would protect the environment. He said the state should
encourage protection of the watershed by delaying tax increases on unused,
undeveloped grasslands. Only after development of these lands should the state
increase and collect a higher property tax.
His other idea was to
coordinate waste disposal efforts with local schools. Solid waste could be
disposed of more inexpensively if the county worked with school districts to
involve students in recycling programs.
Some of these ideas are small,
but they all have the potential to affect how
The budget may not be the main
crisis facing
Maybe a bigger crisis involves
loss of faith in government. During interviews for these columns, both
legislators and citizens expressed concern about the legislative process. Will
this year's budget wrangling engender more, or less, faith in our state
government?
Dare we hope the recent
election of House co-speakers, for the first time in
Casey Hurley is a professor of
educational administration at