Scare Tactics

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July 5, 2011

Once again, the Post’s Rhonda Swan takes on the silly games that permeate the annual county budget process. In First, cut the scare tactics, she highlights the yearly practice of proposing cuts to popular programs, simply to turn out the interest groups to oppose the cuts, knowing full well that the Commissioners will restore them.

TAB explored this game last month in The Kabuki Budget. We believe the practice is cynical, and one of the reasons that people have lost respect for government at all levels.

Ms. Swan ends her editorial with this thought: If county commissioners want to dispel public misconceptions about the budget, they should direct staff to present proposals that are realistic.”

Indeed.