On Government Spending

“The problem with the state’s finances is not what’s being earned in revenues. Revenues are up. Its the method by which we spend. It has never had anything to do with revenues.

“We make decisions on spending and don’t think revenue realistically. Government should always operate on the theory you afford what you can afford to spend — not what you project you’re going to get. If we did that from Day One we’d seldom, if ever, get into deficit positions. Every deficit should be a reflection in a drop of income.”

                                                                            — Willie Brown   May 29, 2008