A letter to the editor

We college students are fond of protests. From the pro-life rally a few days ago to the Prop 8 turmoil last year, we're more than happy to march up and down the street about whatever gets our blood boiling. And nothing gets us angrier than when our money is threatened. Hence the absurdly hyperbolic warnings like "40% = Death" and "This budget cut will make Arizona a third-world nation." (Does Michael Crow have the slightest idea what a third-world nation looks like?) We all know that cutting education funding is suicidal, and that the legislature needs to come up with another plan.

There's just one problem: there's not much else to cut. Education expenses make up the majority of the Arizona General Fund. Other major contributors include the Department of Corrections, the Department of Economic Security, and AHCCCS. Should we impose major cuts on those categories of the budget? Wouldn't taking 40% out of the Department of Corrections' budget also equal death? Wouldn't reducing funding for unemployment benefits also make Arizona a third-world nation? Wouldn't reducing funding for Arizona's already cash-strapped Medicaid program also be suicidal?

Maybe we could just raise taxes. As if taking $2 billion more out of the public's pockets during a major recession weren't suicidal.

Perhaps, as Andrew Hedlund believes, Arizona should be able to run a deficit to continue funding these programs during hard economic times. But repealing the current constitutional restriction against deficits is impossible to do in time for the budget to be completed. Not only would the measure have to be pushed through the House and Senate, but a special election would have to be held. However, this election cannot take place less than 90 days after the proposed amendment is made public.

No one wants their budget cut. But cuts must come. They will come. Perhaps we are justified in protesting this particular proposal, but abrasive, exaggerated complaints aren't likely to get us anywhere. While the proposed cuts may be too large, some cuts must come. Reality is against us. So let's steel our guts, breathe deeply, and take the necessary cuts with dignity.

Sincerely,
Jakob Hansen
Undergraduate