The 2006 Ohio Piglet Book
Ohio government officials have bragged for more than a year now, since the enactment of the biennial operating budget in 2005, that they have state spending under control.
“Our budget is the leanest this state has seen in 40 years,” they say. In this case the quote is from Gov. Bob Taft, but Senate President Bill Harris, Speaker Jon Husted and any number of other legislators are quick to repeat the formulation.
Unexpectedly, there is some truth in what these politicians are saying. As detailed in the 2006 Ohio Piglet Book, the General Revenue Fund expenditures for Fiscal Year 2006 in fact increased by 0.1 percent, or $35 million on a budget of more than $25 billion.
Unfortunately for Ohio taxpayers, however, these politicians are blinded by their pride and self-interest. A single budget cycle of flat spending is fine, but where were they for the previous 40 years? Where were they even one year before, in Fiscal Year 2005, when General Revenue Fund expenditures increased 5.7 percent? More to the point, where will they be next year, and the year after?
Indeed, as discussed in this publication, the General Revenue Fund is only part of the picture, and while these politicians are happy to brag about the General Revenue Fund when the numbers favor them, they are silent about total government spending, which increased last year at the same pace that it has been increasing since 2000 and so does not favor their claims of fiscal restraint.
The 2006 Ohio Piglet Book is a close examination of some of the budget expenditures in the state of Ohio. While this publication seeks to entertain and amuse the thoughtful reader by the rueful exposure of state government silliness, its true purpose is to inform and stimulate widespread discussion of governing principles.
Individual liberty rather than collective activity is the best basis for public policy, but readers need not share this view to enjoy and benefit from the Ohio Piglet Book. Examples of wasteful spending are valuable to all citizens, regardless of viewpoint, who seek to hold their government accountable.
Government waste is ubiquitous and unavoidable, but an informed and focused public can compel government to identify waste, admit its existence, and work to reduce its causes and effects.
