Time for the minority to listen to voters

I take exception to the Jan. 21 guest column by Rep. Dave Jacoby.

Nowhere does it say that he is a Democrat representative, but it was obvious from his use of the party line that “there is no budget gap.”

This year and the 2011 budget are both funded to a large extent by one-time revenue. If there is a surplus in the 2011 budget, it could be used to pay down debt and save interest.

The outgoing governor's acceptance of the original offers of the three largest state employee unions (with no negotiating) will provide a larger salary for many state employees (including some university employees) but there isn't enough money to keep them all. So many will have a good salary and no job.

Jacoby expresses concern about an exaggerated plan to make cuts at the state universities. One step for these state employees at the state universities could be to put them on IPERS the same as most other public employees. This would cut costs.

Now that Republicans have gained control of the House and Rep. Jacoby is in the minority, he wants to start on the same page and listen to the voters.

Bill Ashby

Clermont