The Republicans Wanted a Level-Funded Budget?

My wife and daughter, like many of you, received a letter from the Barrington Republicans ( I did not get one. I will try not to take it personally, but I will have to check to see if I am off of the registered  voter list). In the letter, they brought up several good points.

The first one is that they support the Committee on Appropriations' compromise budget. So Do I. Despite my reputation, I don't like there to be a fight at the town financial meeting. It does not make for a good budget.

The second is that if there were to be an amendment to the budget to be voted on, they would insist on a secret ballot. This is a really good idea.

If anyone remembers the teachers looking down from the bleachers two years ago, it was very intimidating for people with children in the schools to vote for the appropriations budget without fearing  the possibility that their child's teacher could see them and take offense. A secret ballot will insure that people feel free to vote their minds without fear.

They also want to slow down employee costs, and make sure the funding formula is funded in full. Unlikely, but good things all.

But the one that is worrisome  is the bold print statement in the second paragraph: "The Barrington Republican Town Committee would have preferred a level-funded budget."

The problem with that is the Republicans control the largest part of the budget, the school department. The schools are the largest part of our tax increase this and every year. And that is even assuming  the remote possibility the school formula is fully funded.

If the Republicans REALLY, REALLY  wanted to level-fund the budget, they could have done most of it by reducing the increase of the schools. After all, they have a majority so what is stopping them? Just win 3 votes to 2. It is possible. God knows I made suggestions on how they could get close.

Of course, one must say there were articulate and, quite frankly, brave comments by Scott Fuller and Bill DeWitt about level-funding the budget. You must admire brave people when it comes to taking on unions. The unions have ruined many a politician in Rhode Island so what they said was very brave.

But even I don't think the budgets should really be level-funded, just lower and both of these gentlemen did agree to compromise when they realized they did not have majorities on their committees.

And Patrick Guida felt strongly that we should not, he even said, could not ask the teachers for any concessions. While I disagree with his position, I admire people who stick to their guns when they truly believe what they are saying, especially if it goes against the party they belong to. We should reward brave politicians. Not punish them. There are so few of them.

And Mr. Guida is brave. The Republicans are known to throw dissenters under the bus. Just ask John Lazzaro what happened to him last year!

If the Republicans really wanted a level-funded budget this year, then Buzz better watch out next year!