As the state legislature goes to work on the budget for the next fiscal year, forecasts are dire and cuts may be deep, explained Sen. Steve Goss and Rep. Cullie Tarleton last Friday during a visit to Ashe County. Nobody will be immune to cutbacks as the state prepares to severely tighten its fiscal belt.

Goss and Tarleton are conducting a dual listening tour throughout their constiuency to hear what the people have to say and answer questions about the state’s economic predicament. Facing a $3.5 billion shortfall in the next budget, Gov. Bev Perdue is looking at widespread appropriation of funds from available resources, including the education lottery, freezing of projects, and cutbacks wherever possible.

Basically, this is an emergency situation, Goss said. The state and nation are facing the most difficult economic situation since the Great Depression. “But what people are looking for right now is fairness,” he said. “People are angry. They’re upset. They’re confused. We’ve heard some of the harshest language we ever have from people, but I don’t blame them. My prayer is that it will turn around soon. America will prevail. But America’s lived beyond its means for some time now and must tighten its belt.”

The legislators said they will be in Raleigh until the budget is balanced and approved. With double digit unemployment and deteriorating revenue, their task will not be an easy one this year, but they reminded their constituents that budget proposals publicized so far are just that, proposals. They and their fellow legislators will be listening to the people as the process goes forward, and they recommend people contact their representatives with their concerns. Short, concise emails and phone calls are recommended. Goss and Tarleton said they are receiving hundreds of emails every day so correspondence should be as brief and to the point as possible. They also recommend that agencies fighting cuts include a resolution signed by local governing bodies in support of that agency’s services.

It is vital, Goss said in Ashe, to have the county commissioners’ support for a particular issue, such as the continuation of 4-H afterschool projects and the widening of US 221. “It all comes from initiative of local government,” Goss said. It’s good to have a resolution signed by the commissioners. It’s extremely important in getting these things done.” Tarleton added that people can request to appear before committees discussing specific issues. Committee meetings are posted on the state’s website, although changes can occur in those meeting times.

Issues raised at the Ashe County meeting included the 4-H Support Our Schools afterschool project in the middle school, state employee health care plan, mental health services, executive salaries, US 221 and the national economic stimulus package. (See page 5A for more information on discussion at Friday’s meeting in Ashe.) The state is eagerly anticipating assistance from the stimulus package, but Goss warns that money is non-reoccuring and must be used wisely. Tarleton said daily briefings are being received about the federal money coming to the state and a committee is being formed to deal with the stimulus revenue.