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Bravo, OMB!

Dear Source:
How ironic, some of the senate finance committee members suddenly realize that it makes sense to do what the office of management and budget is doing by cutting back on its expenses. Bravo OMB! Now it is time for other departments to do the same, including the legislature and the judicial branch. The ones that do more with less to me, shows true leadership. While revenue generating departments should be funded the best way that they can be, government needs to cut back in these uncertain economic times.
In my testimony offered on bill number 27-0186 on June 16, 2008 I asked the finance committee to set an example for other branches, just as the private sector is doing by cutting back on its expenses. Here is the one sentence that caused such a stir in the legislature that day. "We should look at cost saving measures by the government of the Virgin Islands to reflect the economic downward pressures that small businesses face everyday. I hope through the up coming budget process that the first branch will lead by example and make cuts to its budget so that the other branches of government will follow." The remaining four pages of my testimony delt with different forms of taxation (gross receipts tax vs a sales tax) and what effects each might have to the coffers of the VI and the small business community.
I remember being called everything in the book for making this suggestion to cut government costs. Tell me do we really need to have a fleet of SUV's, office air conditioning after working hours and the many other costs of running a government that could be cut back a bit?
It is a new day and I hope that all the branches of government will recognize we are in tough economic times and are doing something, like OMB, rather than getting hot under the collar.
Jason Budsan
St. Thomas

Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.

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