State Should Be Cautious On Spending

It may seem a bit odd, but we may all wind up being thankful for judges and politicians.

If the state Legislature winds up with no spare change to divvy up this year — due to the old Lake View school case and the new grocery tax cut — we may be spared the ritual spending spree from the state’s coffers.

With the state Supreme Court having ruled that spending state money for local projects does indeed violate the state Constitution, we’d like to see the legislators and the governor spend their time planning a budget that meets the state’s most pressing needs, beginning with education.

Then, and only then, should the state consider what, if anything, to do with “surplus” funds that wind up in the General Improvement Fund.

We’ve never liked the scramble for money that marked every session. Yes, our area got some money in the process and, yes, some worthwhile projects were funded.

But, overall, it was a purely political process and subject to purely political considerations and influences. Projects caught up in the political infighting among legislators could fall victim to conflicts of ego or personality. Regional rivalries could skew the process. Powerful legislators could get money for their constituents. Worthwhile projects without the right connections could easily get passed over.