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Look closely at the budget

Tennessee's state budget generates savings for the federal government -- not Tennesseans

A close look at state budget documents reflects poorly on the state's money management. The state hasn't saved any money overall, or reduced the number of government bureaucrats: All the savings have been accrued to the federal government.

Total state spending in 2004-2005 was $2.539 billion. It grew last year and next year total spending will be at $2.673 billion.

In contrast, total federal spending in 2004-2005 was $5.196 billion. Next year, that amount will only be $4.525 billion.

Trends within different areas are further indicitave of poor management. Federal expenditures continued to grow for nursing home care and administration. Medical services took the big hit in federal reductions, totaling nearly $.9 billion over that two-year period. If you look at the top of B-138, you will see that federal expenditures for medical services were nearly $3.8 billion in 2004-2005. In the 2006-2007 budget, they will be a little less than $2.9 billion, a reduction of $.9 billion in federal funds.

If state officials were the heads of the federal budget office, with no responsibility for health care or jobs for Tennesseans, that would be a signal accomplishment. But they are not. As state officials, the loss of federal funds earmarked for Tennessee is poor stewardship.

Meanwhile, the number of administrative personnel has not been reduced, but will actually increase in the new budget. That is to operate a substantially smaller program.

This is what makes the human suffering occurring across the state all the more tragic.

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