Jack Markell Hasn't Fixed the Budget Yet
Ron Williams yesterday published a silly column in the News Journal in which he reveals that, after 12 days on the job, Jack Markell hasn't fixed the state's budget crisis yet. This with only five months left to pass a budget.
The $606 million shortfall the state faces represents 20 percent of its operating budget. That's a bigger deficit than Wilmington or Philadelphia faced in the early 1990s.
There is no single step that the governor and legislature can take to fix it. As Markell points out in his summary of the situation, the state could cut entire departments or 75 percent of employees and not make up the shortfall.
Actually I have heard good reviews of Markell's summary from legislators, including those who backed John Carney. There may be pockets of resentment from Carney supporters downstate, but legislators are focusing on the budget, and happy to have a governor who understands the magnitude of the problem.
The $606 million shortfall the state faces represents 20 percent of its operating budget. That's a bigger deficit than Wilmington or Philadelphia faced in the early 1990s.
There is no single step that the governor and legislature can take to fix it. As Markell points out in his summary of the situation, the state could cut entire departments or 75 percent of employees and not make up the shortfall.
Actually I have heard good reviews of Markell's summary from legislators, including those who backed John Carney. There may be pockets of resentment from Carney supporters downstate, but legislators are focusing on the budget, and happy to have a governor who understands the magnitude of the problem.
posted by Tom Noyes at 7:10 AM
2 Comments:
Ron Williams says:
And I hope he's not thinking of pulling a Chris Coons where you go around asking the dumbstruck voters how to fix New Castle County's budget shortfall. That's why you run for office and assume the responsibility of making the tough decisions.
I disagree. While we can't expect everyone to understand everything about the budget, I think it is a good thing that Markell is out there trying to explaining it to people and getting their input, no matter how unworkable some of it may be.
I agree with your assessment, Tom. Markell doesn't have a magic wand, but it is obvious that this is his first priority and he wants to do the right thing. It's called developing a consensus, for heaven's sakes.
Ron Williams has always been the butt of jokes because of his inane remarks.
Not to sound mean, but this past denial of logic, makes me wonder whether he has suffered either a single or series of mini-strokes.
We are concerned.
He should check in and get it checked out, since early diagnoses greatly improves one's chances of survivability.
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