Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
In the next biennium new taxes will generate, at most, ~$3B. In the same period *old* taxes will generate ~$5B. Do you know what that means? By exchanging the old taxes for new ones we could cut the current size of government by ~40%! Not bad.
No old taxes!
Showing posts with label Budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Budget. Show all posts
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
UNLV Basketball Roster (2010)
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Coach Kruger makes $1M/yr.
Why are Nevada taxpayers forced to fund this scam?
- (#5) Jasper: Degree in University Studies (AKA Jockology)
- (#10) Norman: Majoring in PE (Not serious)
- (#15) Martinez: Majoring in Interdisciplinary (AKA University Studies)
- (#2) Wallace: Interdisciplinary
- (#33) Willis: Interdisciplinary
- (#12) Massamba: Interdisciplinary
- (#22) Stanback: Interdisciplinary
Coach Kruger makes $1M/yr.
Why are Nevada taxpayers forced to fund this scam?
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Millenium Scholarships: Bad For Nevada
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The [Millenium] program now costs $25 million a year, but that total is increasing by about $1 million per year.
What is this $25M++/yr taxpayer burden to fund Millenium Scholarships? When the UNV was "sold" to a skeptical voting public, that annual expenditure wasn't part of the deal. Neither was the $14M/yr the state gives to fund NCAA sports, nor the hundreds of millions we spend each year on NSHE.
The [Millenium] program now costs $25 million a year, but that total is increasing by about $1 million per year.
What is this $25M++/yr taxpayer burden to fund Millenium Scholarships? When the UNV was "sold" to a skeptical voting public, that annual expenditure wasn't part of the deal. Neither was the $14M/yr the state gives to fund NCAA sports, nor the hundreds of millions we spend each year on NSHE.
Too Much Nevada Government
Originally posted in a LVRJ forum
Lawyer Polsenberg said It was a clever legislator's trick to pass the spending side ... and then be forced to vote on whether to pass the revenue
It's not "clever". Under NSC Article 9 §2 it's the law.
The crooked politicians allocate the first 115 days of the legislative session to impose upon us as much government as they can think of. More K-12. More football scholarships. More senior, mental health, and employment training programs.
More retirement benefits for state employees.
Pile it on.
When they add it all up .. SURPRSE! Government in the next biennium needs to be 10% larger than it already is. For FY '12/'13 the Republicrats are hinting 20% (~$8.2B)! A small government legislator would vote NAY on all government spending except that which is absolutely, constitutionally required. The three branches, 18 public schools, three UNR applied science departments, a few other small things, and that's it. ~$200M.
In correct sequence, next starts the acrimonious five day debate over how to pay for it. That typically means higher business and sales taxes, though it would be perfectly legitimate for legislators to fund BIG government through user fees. For instance, $10,000 per K-12 student. $800 per UNLV credit. That sort of thing. A small government legislator would have little problem voting YEA to such "new" taxes. That is, "no" on the spending, "yes" on the taxes.
Seems like every session you get a few "Conservatives" who vote YEA on the spending and NAY on the funding mechanism. As if BIG government will somehow pay for itself. Of course lets them demagogue I SUPPORT public education! and No new taxes!
That's clever like a thief.
Lawyer Polsenberg said It was a clever legislator's trick to pass the spending side ... and then be forced to vote on whether to pass the revenue
It's not "clever". Under NSC Article 9 §2 it's the law.
The crooked politicians allocate the first 115 days of the legislative session to impose upon us as much government as they can think of. More K-12. More football scholarships. More senior, mental health, and employment training programs.
More retirement benefits for state employees.
Pile it on.
When they add it all up .. SURPRSE! Government in the next biennium needs to be 10% larger than it already is. For FY '12/'13 the Republicrats are hinting 20% (~$8.2B)! A small government legislator would vote NAY on all government spending except that which is absolutely, constitutionally required. The three branches, 18 public schools, three UNR applied science departments, a few other small things, and that's it. ~$200M.
In correct sequence, next starts the acrimonious five day debate over how to pay for it. That typically means higher business and sales taxes, though it would be perfectly legitimate for legislators to fund BIG government through user fees. For instance, $10,000 per K-12 student. $800 per UNLV credit. That sort of thing. A small government legislator would have little problem voting YEA to such "new" taxes. That is, "no" on the spending, "yes" on the taxes.
Seems like every session you get a few "Conservatives" who vote YEA on the spending and NAY on the funding mechanism. As if BIG government will somehow pay for itself. Of course lets them demagogue I SUPPORT public education! and No new taxes!
That's clever like a thief.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Republicrats Eyeballing Your Wallet Again
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
In 2011 the governor and Legislature are projected to face a budget scenario in which expected revenue is as much as $3 billion less than projected spending.
How much government are the Republicrats planning to shove down our throats in the next biennium?
Current tax revenues are running ~$2.5B/yr, with ~$150M of that set to expire in FY '12. That means if the economy stablizes, in the next biennium old taxes (which "No new taxes!" Fibbons adores) will generate ~$4.7B. A $3B "gap" indicates that Horsefurd, Raggio and the gang are looking to spend ~$7.7B! Up from $6.9B in the current biennium. ~11% more.
Are they serious? Where is all this money going to come from? The crooked politicians are not going to find it in the Dairy Commission or the Taxicab Authority. What do the scheming politicians have up their sleeves?
In 2011 the governor and Legislature are projected to face a budget scenario in which expected revenue is as much as $3 billion less than projected spending.
How much government are the Republicrats planning to shove down our throats in the next biennium?
Current tax revenues are running ~$2.5B/yr, with ~$150M of that set to expire in FY '12. That means if the economy stablizes, in the next biennium old taxes (which "No new taxes!" Fibbons adores) will generate ~$4.7B. A $3B "gap" indicates that Horsefurd, Raggio and the gang are looking to spend ~$7.7B! Up from $6.9B in the current biennium. ~11% more.
Are they serious? Where is all this money going to come from? The crooked politicians are not going to find it in the Dairy Commission or the Taxicab Authority. What do the scheming politicians have up their sleeves?
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Livengood's Fuzzy Accounting
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
[Livengood] kept [UAZ Athletic] department in the black
For college sports you can't really talk about black/red in a way that makes business sense. How can you claim to make a "profit" when your *star* employees are officially unpaid? Or is involuntary servitude legal in Arizona?
How can you claim to make a profit when you don't even make a good-faith attempt to account for your expenses? For example, the cost of tossing admission/grading standards. Athletic Dept accountants never factor in the cost of the numerous basketweaving departments which need to be maintained to give jocks academic cover, like Sociology, Physical Education, Sports Management, etc. Those real costs are conveniently shifted to social "science" college budgets. The old shell game.
FYI, that "$28M subsidy" figure is over the biennium.
Sorry, but UNLV will not renounce federal funding. Title IX *stays*.
[Livengood] kept [UAZ Athletic] department in the black
For college sports you can't really talk about black/red in a way that makes business sense. How can you claim to make a "profit" when your *star* employees are officially unpaid? Or is involuntary servitude legal in Arizona?
How can you claim to make a profit when you don't even make a good-faith attempt to account for your expenses? For example, the cost of tossing admission/grading standards. Athletic Dept accountants never factor in the cost of the numerous basketweaving departments which need to be maintained to give jocks academic cover, like Sociology, Physical Education, Sports Management, etc. Those real costs are conveniently shifted to social "science" college budgets. The old shell game.
FYI, that "$28M subsidy" figure is over the biennium.
Sorry, but UNLV will not renounce federal funding. Title IX *stays*.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
UNLV Athletics Dept Needs Remedial Math
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
UNLV [Athletics] estimates that it will end its fiscal year June 30 with $26.06 million in revenues and $27.99 million in expenses.
Those budget figures DON'T add up. It's not rounding errors. That $26M revenue figure isn't even close. Even so, the $280K Athletic Director is employing fuzzy accounting.
Sports boosters never factor in the ridiculous departments (lke Sports this-&-that) and degree programs (like University Studies) which need to be maintained in order to provide jocks with academic cover, nor the compromised admission standards (non-existent, really) required to get the chowderhead jocks in the door in the first place, nor the complete distraction to Admnistration and disruption of what should be a tranquil, ivy tower environment.
When you look at how UNLV prioritizes (ie the $1M hoops coach and $450K football coach) you could conclude that UNLV exists to play BIG sports. Academics is just a pretext. The true cost of UNLV sports is closer to the entire cost of the University.
UNLV [Athletics] estimates that it will end its fiscal year June 30 with $26.06 million in revenues and $27.99 million in expenses.
Those budget figures DON'T add up. It's not rounding errors. That $26M revenue figure isn't even close. Even so, the $280K Athletic Director is employing fuzzy accounting.
Sports boosters never factor in the ridiculous departments (lke Sports this-&-that) and degree programs (like University Studies) which need to be maintained in order to provide jocks with academic cover, nor the compromised admission standards (non-existent, really) required to get the chowderhead jocks in the door in the first place, nor the complete distraction to Admnistration and disruption of what should be a tranquil, ivy tower environment.
When you look at how UNLV prioritizes (ie the $1M hoops coach and $450K football coach) you could conclude that UNLV exists to play BIG sports. Academics is just a pretext. The true cost of UNLV sports is closer to the entire cost of the University.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Tax Code: GOP's Favorite Tool
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Gibbons will propose tax breaks for businesses that move to Nevada.
The GOP's favorite device for controlling the economy. The tax code. End corporate welfare. Don't cut newcomer taxes by 50%. Eliminate ALL business taxes.
Who wants to invest money in a business when the crooked politicians see it as a money tree they can shake when they need extra cash. We've all heard the relentless screams -- especially from DEMs -- to raise taxes on banks, mining, casinos, big box stores etc, because they're "not paying their fair share". I'm surprised Buckley hasn't called for "Statizing" them!
The uncertainty argument is valid, although Fibbons should not be the one making it. His two biennium budgets (FY '07-'11) were both partially (and increasingly) dependent on BUSINESS taxes. Didn't Fibbons just sign special session legislation raising corporate fees? So what the heck is this clown talking about?
Gibbons will propose tax breaks for businesses that move to Nevada.
The GOP's favorite device for controlling the economy. The tax code. End corporate welfare. Don't cut newcomer taxes by 50%. Eliminate ALL business taxes.
Who wants to invest money in a business when the crooked politicians see it as a money tree they can shake when they need extra cash. We've all heard the relentless screams -- especially from DEMs -- to raise taxes on banks, mining, casinos, big box stores etc, because they're "not paying their fair share". I'm surprised Buckley hasn't called for "Statizing" them!
The uncertainty argument is valid, although Fibbons should not be the one making it. His two biennium budgets (FY '07-'11) were both partially (and increasingly) dependent on BUSINESS taxes. Didn't Fibbons just sign special session legislation raising corporate fees? So what the heck is this clown talking about?
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Public Education: Great News for Paper Factories
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
lawmakers issued a resolution that requires [K-16 bureaucracies] to formalize recommendations on improving fiscal efficiency and accountability
Is that resolution binding? More jobs for lawyers to ensure compliance. More jobs for administrators to draft 400 page reports which nobody is going to read. And then you people complain about all the money spent outside the classroom!
Until we can completely abolish CCSD, break it up into 15,000+ smaller districts.
lawmakers issued a resolution that requires [K-16 bureaucracies] to formalize recommendations on improving fiscal efficiency and accountability
Is that resolution binding? More jobs for lawyers to ensure compliance. More jobs for administrators to draft 400 page reports which nobody is going to read. And then you people complain about all the money spent outside the classroom!
Until we can completely abolish CCSD, break it up into 15,000+ smaller districts.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Want BIG Government? Pay BIG User Fees
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Under our constitution, the crooked politicians must first decide how much government they want in the biennium, and then find a way to fund it. Balanced budget.
The Legislature spends ~115 days piling on the government. More K-16. More REAL ID. More employment training for Horsefurd's clients to burn. More regulations for Raggio's clients to fight. More citizen dossiers (databases). More Prozac. More initiatives. And on and on and on. No one should be surprised that spending grows 8% from the previous biennium.
They spend the last 5 days arguing over how to pay for it. Existing tax sources at their practical economic limits, the crooked politicians go hunting for *new* ones. And why not? You have to pay for it somehow.
I oppose BIG government and the high taxes necessary to pay for it. Still, if we're going to be stuck with BIG government The Legislature should impose USER FEES. Charge parents $15,000/yr for each kid they send to public daycare (K-12). Charge UNLV liberal arts undergraduates $800/credit.
Make the folks who consume government services pay for their true cost.
Under our constitution, the crooked politicians must first decide how much government they want in the biennium, and then find a way to fund it. Balanced budget.
The Legislature spends ~115 days piling on the government. More K-16. More REAL ID. More employment training for Horsefurd's clients to burn. More regulations for Raggio's clients to fight. More citizen dossiers (databases). More Prozac. More initiatives. And on and on and on. No one should be surprised that spending grows 8% from the previous biennium.
They spend the last 5 days arguing over how to pay for it. Existing tax sources at their practical economic limits, the crooked politicians go hunting for *new* ones. And why not? You have to pay for it somehow.
I oppose BIG government and the high taxes necessary to pay for it. Still, if we're going to be stuck with BIG government The Legislature should impose USER FEES. Charge parents $15,000/yr for each kid they send to public daycare (K-12). Charge UNLV liberal arts undergraduates $800/credit.
Make the folks who consume government services pay for their true cost.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
What to Do About NSHE
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
- Slash Klaich's $335K salary. The public sector is NOT supposed to be a place to get rich. There is NO justification to pay Klaich >twice what we pay Gibbons.
- Eliminate Division 1 sports. Teams can be fielded from the more strapping ranks of the applied science majors. Coaches recruited from the Chemistry faculty. No more athletic scholarships. Put the student back in "student"-athlete. No more NFL/NBA/MLB pay scale coaches.
- Reduce NSHE to its constitutional minimum: three UNR departments -- Mining, Engineering, and Agriculture (MEA).
- As the Constitution intended, award free rides (or charge only nominal tuition) to MEA majors. UNR was set up with a perpetual trust to fund MEA, with even a cushion built in to fund Military Science if ever added. Our financial obligation to NSHE should be ~$0.
- Abolish non-MEA programs entirely, or else charge such students user fees (tuition) high enough to cover their true costs. $800/credit sounds right.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Horsefürd Shows His Hoof
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Horsefürd said I plan on focusing my time on [higher taxes (and spending)] during the next legislative session.
"We're going to raise your taxes and there's nothing you can do about it!" The contempt these arrogant, crooked politicians have for the private sector. Unbelievable.
I don't know about Tucson, AZ, but if we had small government in *Nevada* the biennial budget could be as low as $160M. That's right.
Eliminate ALL government programs except those which are constitutionally requried and fund those at bare minimum.
So you see, $160M is a conservative estimate. Keep in mind that the biennial budget represents only ~1/3 of state spending. We pay extra for roads, etc.
Horsefürd said I plan on focusing my time on [higher taxes (and spending)] during the next legislative session.
"We're going to raise your taxes and there's nothing you can do about it!" The contempt these arrogant, crooked politicians have for the private sector. Unbelievable.
I don't know about Tucson, AZ, but if we had small government in *Nevada* the biennial budget could be as low as $160M. That's right.
Eliminate ALL government programs except those which are constitutionally requried and fund those at bare minimum.
- The three branches. Small government regular sessions would last 4-5 days. Legislators earn $200. No PERS or per diem. Layoff 90%+ of full time employees. Total cost $10M.
- Prisons and juvenile hall. Opaque budgets. Pardon inmates serving time for victimless crimes. Save a bundle.
- A militia. One ex-USArmy Commanding General. $50K. The rest reserves. Besides,the federal government has to defend us if the Governor requests assistance.
- Assorted bureaucracies (AG, Treasury, Superintendent, etc). Less than $5M.
- Mental/Rehab hospitals for bona fide RESIDENTS who are severely disabled (benevolent institutions). Currently ~25% of the budget. Opaque budgets. No more out-patient services. Minimum level of care. Want more? Go to *private* hospitals.
- Three UNR applied science departments. Education trusts pay for it *all*. Shortfalls covered by user fees (tuition). Total cost ZERO.
- One public school per district (18 statewide). A little red schoolhouse only for teaching the 3Rs to poor kids (as originally intended). Done by 8th grade. Trusts pay for it. Total cost ZERO. No more public daycare for rich kids.
So you see, $160M is a conservative estimate. Keep in mind that the biennial budget represents only ~1/3 of state spending. We pay extra for roads, etc.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Legal Immigration
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Stop complaining about the illegals. They are far outnumbered by the LEGALS, who are killing us with their usage of "free" public education, "free" medicare, "free" UMC ER visits, and so forth.
Hey xenophobes. It's *your* favorite BIG government programs which are attracting illegals to this state. End the welfare state. No more welfare magnets.
Illegals working here in the private sector are more than welcome to stay. Any *legal* resident who advocates BIG govermment should be deported back to the country their great/grandfather came from.
Adios, gringos!
Stop complaining about the illegals. They are far outnumbered by the LEGALS, who are killing us with their usage of "free" public education, "free" medicare, "free" UMC ER visits, and so forth.
Hey xenophobes. It's *your* favorite BIG government programs which are attracting illegals to this state. End the welfare state. No more welfare magnets.
Illegals working here in the private sector are more than welcome to stay. Any *legal* resident who advocates BIG govermment should be deported back to the country their great/grandfather came from.
Adios, gringos!
Trust "Sweeping"
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Trust "sweeping" (as it's euphemistically called) is such a perfect scam for the crooked politicians. Benefits are promised sometime in the distant (unseeable) future. Higher taxes *today*. The money sits there until they steal it to pay for some scheme completely unrelated to the one they sold us on.
In the case of education trust funds, that pilfered money has to be repaid. Sometime. In accounting terms that's a long-term liability, ie a LOAN.
So much for a balanced budget.
Trust "sweeping" (as it's euphemistically called) is such a perfect scam for the crooked politicians. Benefits are promised sometime in the distant (unseeable) future. Higher taxes *today*. The money sits there until they steal it to pay for some scheme completely unrelated to the one they sold us on.
In the case of education trust funds, that pilfered money has to be repaid. Sometime. In accounting terms that's a long-term liability, ie a LOAN.
So much for a balanced budget.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
The True Cost Of College Sports
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
In the current biennium the state appropriation for UNR Intercollegiate Athletics (Division 1) is $5.8M/yr. The corresponding appropriation for UNLV is $7.9M/yr.
See AB-562 Section 17 (2009).
The intangible costs are even higher. Compromised admission standards (nonexistent, really), junk departments maintained to provide jocks with academic cover, distraction for Administration, etc. Indeed, the true cost of Division 1 is closer to the ENTIRE cost of UNLV, since without sports popular support for the school would be severely damaged. Voters might decide UNLV is not worth keeping.
Hey UNLV jocks. Enjoy the taxpayer provided steak and potatoes while you can. Your teams are going to be cut! You'll be relieved to know that your Jockology degree programs (like University Studies) are safe. That can't eliminate your basketweaving requirement without making you guys academically ineligble to play.
In the current biennium the state appropriation for UNR Intercollegiate Athletics (Division 1) is $5.8M/yr. The corresponding appropriation for UNLV is $7.9M/yr.
See AB-562 Section 17 (2009).
The intangible costs are even higher. Compromised admission standards (nonexistent, really), junk departments maintained to provide jocks with academic cover, distraction for Administration, etc. Indeed, the true cost of Division 1 is closer to the ENTIRE cost of UNLV, since without sports popular support for the school would be severely damaged. Voters might decide UNLV is not worth keeping.
Hey UNLV jocks. Enjoy the taxpayer provided steak and potatoes while you can. Your teams are going to be cut! You'll be relieved to know that your Jockology degree programs (like University Studies) are safe. That can't eliminate your basketweaving requirement without making you guys academically ineligble to play.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Patronage Education
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Public education is used as a pretext to:
School board members say the Clark County School District will suffer if legislators take away funds used to make small capital improvements throughout the district.
Public education is used as a pretext to:
- impose tax increases (ie government services tax) to pay for *other* programs (bait-&-switch)
- reward politically connected bond salesmen
- enrich politically connected construction contractors
Friday, February 19, 2010
Real Estate Collapses But Government Still Strong
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
when the real estate market tanks the money to fund the state government dries up.
You don't know what you're talking about.
The biennial budget relies mainly on sales taxes ($730M), gaming taxes ($639M), and increasingly business taxes ($371M). Property transfer taxes ($47M) are typically <5% of general fund revenues.
State general fund tax revenues are currently running ~$2.4B/yr. That's down from the $3.2B run rate of Fibbons first budget, but still strong by historical standards. We're back at 2005's tax take. Then a blowout year.
Some crisis.
when the real estate market tanks the money to fund the state government dries up.
You don't know what you're talking about.
The biennial budget relies mainly on sales taxes ($730M), gaming taxes ($639M), and increasingly business taxes ($371M). Property transfer taxes ($47M) are typically <5% of general fund revenues.
State general fund tax revenues are currently running ~$2.4B/yr. That's down from the $3.2B run rate of Fibbons first budget, but still strong by historical standards. We're back at 2005's tax take. Then a blowout year.
Some crisis.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
We Already PAID For Public Education
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Perpetual funding for K-12 was provided through interest-bearing Trusts and an ongoing share of proceeds from fines like traffic tickets. Donations gladly accepted. We shouldn't be arguing today over how to pay for it.
If we eliminated compulsory attendance laws probably >80% of CCSD students wouldn't show up. <10% of those leftover would be severe poverty cases. ~6,000 kids, but probably a LOT LESS after you filter out illegals, mentally challenged, etc.
They represent CCSD's maximum, limited constitutional mission.
Right now CCSD spends >$10,000 per student (including debt service and PERS). Maybe only 20% of that is used for instruction. The rest is babysitting. Focusing on basic skills (instead of fluff) means that kids would only have to attend ~8 hrs/wk, 26 wk/yr. DONE by 8th grade.
Even at a rich funding level of $4,000 per student (~$20/hr, though we could probably get by on half that) CCSD's budget would be only $24M per year. Tops. A pretty manageable budget. Trust interest and fine revenues would cover much (if not all) of it. Close *hundreds* of schools. Layoff *thousands* of employees. Save BILLIONS. That's right.
It's anyone's guess how well a more focused CCSD would do those kids. I wouldn't be optimistic.
Perpetual funding for K-12 was provided through interest-bearing Trusts and an ongoing share of proceeds from fines like traffic tickets. Donations gladly accepted. We shouldn't be arguing today over how to pay for it.
If we eliminated compulsory attendance laws probably >80% of CCSD students wouldn't show up. <10% of those leftover would be severe poverty cases. ~6,000 kids, but probably a LOT LESS after you filter out illegals, mentally challenged, etc.
They represent CCSD's maximum, limited constitutional mission.
Right now CCSD spends >$10,000 per student (including debt service and PERS). Maybe only 20% of that is used for instruction. The rest is babysitting. Focusing on basic skills (instead of fluff) means that kids would only have to attend ~8 hrs/wk, 26 wk/yr. DONE by 8th grade.
Even at a rich funding level of $4,000 per student (~$20/hr, though we could probably get by on half that) CCSD's budget would be only $24M per year. Tops. A pretty manageable budget. Trust interest and fine revenues would cover much (if not all) of it. Close *hundreds* of schools. Layoff *thousands* of employees. Save BILLIONS. That's right.
It's anyone's guess how well a more focused CCSD would do those kids. I wouldn't be optimistic.
What The Nevada Constitution Requires
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
For every dollar the government taxes it spends ~$1.10. Everybody knows that except the Socialists who lurk in RJ Fora.
The Nevada Constitution *requires* the state to fund a small number of functions
Small, Constitutional minimum government.
Unfortunately, the crooked politicians relentlessly expand government. BIGGER and bigger government requires HIGHER and higher TAXES to fund it. When revenue and spending growth are the same, nobody notices. However when spending growth (inevitably) *exceeds* revenue growth the politicians scream "GAP!" and boost existing taxes to maintain balance.
A "crisis" occurs when existing taxes have reached their economic maxima. The politicians must scramble to find a new source of revenue -- usually "small" at first. With the budget back in balance spending growth continues unabated. Then in a few years, when *that* source has maxed-out they look for yet another. And so on and so on.
The tax-&-spend vortex of death.
For every dollar the government taxes it spends ~$1.10. Everybody knows that except the Socialists who lurk in RJ Fora.
The Nevada Constitution *requires* the state to fund a small number of functions
- The three branches
- Prisons and juvenile hall
- Assorted bureaucracies (ie AG, Sec of State, Treasury)
- One public school per district (18 statewide)
- Three UNR applied science departments (Mining, Agriculture, and Engineering)
- Institutions for mental and physical disabled
- A militia (to repel invasion from CA)
Small, Constitutional minimum government.
Unfortunately, the crooked politicians relentlessly expand government. BIGGER and bigger government requires HIGHER and higher TAXES to fund it. When revenue and spending growth are the same, nobody notices. However when spending growth (inevitably) *exceeds* revenue growth the politicians scream "GAP!" and boost existing taxes to maintain balance.
A "crisis" occurs when existing taxes have reached their economic maxima. The politicians must scramble to find a new source of revenue -- usually "small" at first. With the budget back in balance spending growth continues unabated. Then in a few years, when *that* source has maxed-out they look for yet another. And so on and so on.
The tax-&-spend vortex of death.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Abolish Gaming Taxes
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The crooked politicians always threaten us with park closures -- relatively small savings -- in order to protect their high cost pork barrel projects.
The Democrat Party is just another name for CPUSA.
If we had small government in this state, we could ABOLISH the gaming control board and the high gaming taxes necessary to fund it. But then casinos would have to establish fair "reputations" without us vouching for them. Somebody's worthless brother-in-law gaming regulator would have to find employment in the private sector.
Oh, the horror!
The crooked politicians always threaten us with park closures -- relatively small savings -- in order to protect their high cost pork barrel projects.
The Democrat Party is just another name for CPUSA.
If we had small government in this state, we could ABOLISH the gaming control board and the high gaming taxes necessary to fund it. But then casinos would have to establish fair "reputations" without us vouching for them. Somebody's worthless brother-in-law gaming regulator would have to find employment in the private sector.
Oh, the horror!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)