I grew up the son of a farmer. From a young age, everyone in our home, including my five brothers and I, knew that balancing the budget was the key to our family’s survival. We all worked, we all contributed, we all scrimped and saved when we had to — and we never spent more than we could sell or what Mom and Dad could make in other income. The bottom line was just that and we all respected it.

This week I come home from Harrisburg fresh off the heels of my first experience working with fellow lawmakers on our state budget for the next fiscal year. It is a fascinating process, for sure.

However, I have a difficult time understanding how our approach to spending is not based strictly on the income we bring in now, versus projecting what we may bring in the future.

As every farmer knows, nothing is guaranteed, especially future crops.

I voted ‘no’ on this budget for several reasons. Primarily, I found there are over 25 line items that increase spending by double-digits or more. For example, the Office of International Business Development which falls under Community and Economic Development, has a 20.2% increase. Strategic Management Planning Program has a 52.8% increase. And under the state government line item, General Government Operations increases by a whopping 52.4%.

I also found that there are line items that really should be in there just once every five years or so. Here is a common-sense family example. If your grandfather died this year and leaves you $30,000, well then you have that extra money to buy the family a new car. Now you’re not going to need a new car every year, and grandpa is not going to die more than once. So, these line items should not be presented every year.

As a business owner and fiscal conservative, I have a hard time justifying these spending increases, especially when we could save this money and consider lowering taxes for middle class families — many of whom are struggling to meet the demands of day-to-day living when grocery expenses are higher, appliances are more expensive and less reliable, and overall inflation pinches every penny.

The budget that passed this year is simply not fiscally responsible. I hope next year we can do better for our taxpayers.

State Rep. Jamie Flick, R-South Williamsport, represents parts of Lycoming and Union counties in the state House.

— Williamsport Sun-Gazette