Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch vows to fight to the end, for a no tax increase budget. Huebsch says that includes opposing transfers from segregated funds such as patients compensation. Huebsch cites figures from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, showing growth in the state's economy bringing in one and a quarter billion dollars in new tax revenue. "We're going to need to figure out how we can live within a one and a quarter billion dollar increase in revenue" says Huebsch, who adds "that doesn't seem that diffilcult."
Huebsch says he'd love to say there will be no tax increase in the budget, but Democrats control the state Senate. "We'll have to sit down and negotiate, but we will clearly show that we could have done it." Huebsch says the Republican argument has always been that state programs should be covered by state revenues without having to get more money in the form of taxes or fund transfers.
AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:60 MP3)
