Repeated funding cuts give rise to a vicious cycle for important public services

There’s a vicious downward cycle that’s been at work in North Carolina state government in recent years. And here’s how it worked:

First, conservative politicians blast quote “government bureaucracy” and enact big tax and spending cuts in response.

Next, core services like schools, mental health, transportation, and public safety – plagued by funding cuts and staff reductions — all struggle mightily to keep up with rising demands in a fast-growing state.

Next, besieged by constituent complaints, the same politicians who imposed the big cuts decry the decline in services and move to turn agencies over to private interests and/or lower standards – so that for example, class sizes can rise, or driver’s licenses have to be renewed less frequently.

Finally, claiming to be motivated to improve quote “efficiency,” the same politicians impose more tax cuts and start the whole process over again.

The bottom line: slashing funding for basic public services does no more to improve outcomes than scrimping on the upkeep of your car or home. And it’s long past time for our state to break this vicious cycle.

For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.