Recently the governor announced her budget proposal before a joint meeting with the House and Senate Appropriation committees. It happened a little later than it has in the past few years, but that is understandable since she just took office in January (like myself). From my perspective there were some proposals that I agreed with, some that I think could be refined, and some that I firmly oppose.

I agree with the governor that we should continue investing in our children’s education. If we won’t step up to the plate to make it better, who will? One proposal I think is worthy of a robust debate during the budget process is her desire to fund more literacy coaches. Promoting literacy should always be a key goal. Countless studies have pointed out how students that cannot read at grade level are at a disadvantage as they continue their education. How can they read to learn if they have never learned to read?

One area where the governor and I disagree is her proposed forty-five cent gas tax increase. We all would feel the effects of having the highest gas taxes in the country. Yes, our roads need to be fixed, but before we raise taxes we need to make sure that we are prioritizing existing taxes to what we claim are our priorities. Any new revenue from economic growth should be dedicated to roads rather than the new spending that the governor is proposing.

The governor’s tax proposal creates another problematic issue. In her proposal, the net increase to road funding would not equal the amount of revenue collected by the gas tax. Instead, money that is currently dedicated to roads would be “freed up” by the proposed tax increase to allow for other new spending. To me, this is the kind of budgetary shell game that got us into this mess in the first place. The governor’s proposed tax increase should be added to the money already spent on roads, not a replacement for it.

I will be having coffee hours on Saturday, March 23. I will be at The Union Coffee House and Café in Buchanan from 10:00-11:00am. Then, from 12:00-1:00 pm, I will be at the Maple Café in Edwardsburg. I hope you can join me for a cup of coffee and an invigorating conversation.

Brad Paquette R, represents the 78th District, which covers Berrien county.