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Editorial

States Out of Balance

Published: November 9, 2010

The Republican Party’s most visible triumph last week was in the House of Representatives, but the more lasting — and possibly more destructive — result was in statehouses across the country. Republicans won more than 690 new legislative seats, taking back at least 19 state chambers and 10 governor’s seats from Democrats. Republicans previously had been in full control of nine states; now they will fully control at least 20.

There is no way that these newly elected Republican lawmakers and governors can follow through on their promises to erase huge deficits without raising taxes — except by making irresponsibly draconian cuts in critical state services, particularly for the poor and for education.

The states, like the federal government, need to get control of spending. That may mean dealing with out-of-control pensions. It may mean careful cuts in services combined with, yes, higher taxes. But with millions of people out of work, this is the worst possible time for the states to try to solve all their problems by simply slashing health care spending, spending on higher and elementary education, and services for the elderly and the poor. It would lead to tens of thousands of layoffs and even lower state revenues.

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-- Edited by Sanders on Wednesday 10th of November 2010 11:40:51 AM

-- Edited by Sanders on Wednesday 10th of November 2010 11:41:55 AM