History

The Roundtable urges lawmakers to manage the state’s resources and services delivery in a manner that is sustainable, competitive, transparent and provides adequate contingency for unforeseen circumstances. Such an approach is critical to protect economic stability and spread prosperity. The Roundtable urges lawmakers to follow these fiscal guidelines:

The Roundtable is highly engaged in efforts to:

• Minimize the budget carry-forward to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Contain spending growth in fast growing areas so it doesn’t exceed long-term growth in general fund spending.
• Maintain a reserve sufficient to cover emergencies or make unplanned necessary purchases.

State policy priorities for 2007

Adopt a biennial budget that is sustainable and directs resources to services most critical to ensuring a prosperous future.

• Leverage the Priorities of Government framework to ensure the 2007-09 biennial budget is results-based, prioritizes education and transportation and does not increase the bow wave.

• Align growth in state health care spending with the long-term state revenue growth rate so that unsustainable increases no longer crowd out funding for services like education and transportation.

• Rebuild the state budget reserve to five percent of the general fund biennial budget.