Chris Fitzsimon Rebuked by NC House Minority Leader

Representative Paul Stam's letter to the Editor of the Raleigh News & Observer in response to "Budget like it's 2005?" and Chris Fitzsimon.

May 21, 2009

NC NEWS -- Yesterday, an article entitled, "Budget like it's 2005?" published in the Raleigh News & Observer. The article, wrote by Chris Fitzsimon the Founder and Director of NC Policy Watch, has been labeled misleading and distorted by NC House of Representatives House Minority Leader Paul Stam. Moreover, Representative Paul Stam has gone as far as to correct Mr. Fitzsimon on his comparison of this year's budget to the House budget of 2005.

Ergo, we give you Representative Paul Stam's letter to the Editor of the Raleigh News & Observer in response to "Budget like it's 2005?" and Chris Fitzsimon.

To the Editor:

This is in response to the misleading op-ed piece by Chris Fitzsimon, "Budget like it's 2005?" (May 21). Mr. Fitzsimon unfortunately distorts the point many fiscally responsible legislators have made about this year's budget process.

According to Fiscal Research Division, after adjusting for inflation and population, spending targets in this year's House budget are roughly equal to spending for 2006, not 2005 as stated by Mr. Fitzsimon. All spending increases over the past two years are not for critical programs, as he suggests. Mr. Fitzsimon conveniently cherry-picks examples of programs that engender the most public support. But, state government spending since 2003 has vastly exceeded adjustments for inflation and population. No responsible observer would suggest that all government spending increases over these past few years are essential in a time of severe recession.

The point is that state spending at the 2006 level can be achieved without disruption of necessary services if our priorities are in order. To assume that we must continue spending beyond revenue estimates will only exacerbate our budget dilemma. It's time for all of us to realize that in a time of economic stress state government must tighten its own belt.

Rep. Paul Stam
NC House of Representatives House Minority Leader
714 Hunter Street
Apex, NC 27502
919-362-8873

In closing, we thank NC House of Representatives House Minority Leader Paul Stam for this witty and humorous response to Chris Fitzsimon article, "Budget like it's 2005?" published in the Raleigh News & Observer. Have a great day everyone :)