Delaware Republicans are again asking for the state to take a closer look at its spending.
In the weekly GOP message, State Senate Minority leader Gary Simpson says recommendations coming soon from a panel tasked with looking at the First State’s revenue generators is likely to suggest raising taxes or creating new ones.
Simpson says he believes the state has plenty of revenue and that spending is the real budget issue
“That's why we're calling on the governor to do the logical thing here: If you're going to create a panel to look at raising people's taxes, you need to take an even closer look at the spending side of the ledger," said Simpson. "Frankly, I'm shocked that hasn't already been done."
Simpson notes a bill calling for a panel to look at spending remains stuck in committee – waiting for a hearing.
Since Gov. Markell proposed his $3.9 billion budget in January, state revenue estimates have dropped $67 million. The next state revenue estimate comes out May 18th.
Full text of Sen. Gary Simpson's GOP weekly address:
Hi, I'm Senate Republican Leader Gary Simpson.
For the last few months, a panel created by Gov. Markell has been conducting a thorough review of Delaware's revenue generators. The panel's recommendations are expected to be announced early next week.
So, why is this important?
Well, first of all, by "revenue generators" we're talking about taxes. So what this panel is REALLY looking at is whether to raise taxes or even create new ones.
The reason this committee was put together in the first place is because of the belief that Delaware's revenues aren't keeping pace with budget demands. So, some might have you believe that our budget problems are due to a lack of revenue. We believe Delaware has plenty of revenue. The problem is excessive spending.
That's why we're calling on the governor to do the logical thing here: If you're going to create a panel to look at raising people's taxes, you need to take an even closer look at the spending side of the ledger. Frankly, I'm shocked that hasn't already been done.
Senator Colin Bonini has introduced legislation that would create just such a panel. But since being assigned to the Senate Finance Committee over a month ago, the measure has yet to be scheduled for a hearing. We're asking the majority party to give this piece of legislation the hearing it deserves.
And if that legislation fails, we're asking the governor to step in and do the right thing: Once again we would ask - no plead - that a hard look be given at how to run our government more efficiently, not more expensively. Time is running out. Demand from your cabinet secretaries that they find savings in each of their departments. I am confident they can do it. Thank you.
