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Introduction
The State of West Virginia at the State-level has approximately
$3.83 billion of the taxpayer's money it is
not using, i. e. surpluses equal to $2,117
for every man, woman and child in West Virginia or $8,469 for a family of 4. This does not include
all the additional surpluses that exist in the school districts, cities, or
counties in West Virginia.
The Exhibit
A below shows the results of the FY 2003 review.
What are these surpluses we refer to?
Government
surpluses, as used in this report, are funds that are not required or needed
for the operation of all government operations, funds, accounts, agencies,
etc., directly or indirectly, for the year(s) covered by the budget which is
usually one year. Theoretically, at the end of every fiscal year, governments
should have little or no cash/investments on hand. But what we have found is
that most governments have huge amounts of cash and investments on hand at the
end of the fiscal year. And somehow these cash and investments are not being
recycled back through the budget process the next year, but are being held
year-after-year.
A Government Can Have a Budget
Deficits/Shortfalls and Financial Surpluses At The
Same Time.
This is the
most deceiving topic that governments, politicians, and the news media have
conveyed to the public about governmental financial matters. In realty, a
government can simultaneously have a budget shortfall and a financial surplus
of the taxpayers' money.
The
problems are focused in four areas:
1. The
budget only covers a small portion of the State's financial condition. There
are a group of funds not part of the budget process. The complete list of funds
and budgetary requirements are found in the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This
report depicts the complete financial status of the State. The budget only
covers a portion of the financial resources of the government.
A Little Background:
The CAFR usually has four categories.
Governmental Funds Proprietary Funds Fiduciary
Funds Component Units
Governmental Funds involve activities of the government
including most basic services such as environmental resources, general
government, transportation, education, health and human services, and
protection of persons and property. Most of the cost of these activities are
financed by taxes, fees , and federal grants.
Proprietary Funds are used when a government charges customers
for the services it provides, whether to outside customers or to other agencies
with the state. For example, Enterprise Funds, a component of proprietary
funds, are for activities that provide goods and services to outside
(non-government) customers, which includes the general public. Fees, charges
for services or goods, assessments, fines, licenses, etc. are the major revenue
sources.
Fiduciary Funds are activities in which the state acts as a
trustee or fiduciary to hold resources for the benefit of others. These funds
are pension trust funds, investment trusts, and agency funds (which are for
assets held for distribution by the government as an agent for other
governmental units, other organizations, or individuals).
Component Units reportedly are legally separated organizations
for which the government is financially accountable. Usually fees, charges for
services or goods, assessments, fines, penalties, licenses, etc. are the major
revenue source.
The
budget, as commonly known to the public, only involves the Governmental
Funds and may not even include all of the governmental-type funds. The
remainder of the Funds shown above are not part of the budget and are commonly
called "off-budget" items.
2. Next
year's budget consists only of next year's estimated revenues and next year's
estimated expenditures. Previous years' revenues not used (spent) are normally
not considered in the next year's budget, but should be. In other words, the
previous years' revenues (as shown in the CAFR) are not recycled back to the
budget process.
Historically, a budget consists of three parts: 1) Funds brought
forward (funds not previously spent); 2) Next year's estimated revenues; and 3)
Next year's estimated expenditures.
But
somewhere along the way the funds brought forward category was lost. In
accounting, the previous years' revenues are no longer called revenue but have
been converted to Cash and Investments. Since they no longer called Revenues
governments have forgotten about them to the public. They are there but not
considered in the budget process, but should be.
3. The
budgeted items and non-budgeted items (off budget) should be budgeted to zero
(usually referred to as zero-based budgeting). In addition, the government
should be on a pay-as-you-go basis, no reserves for future years. What this
means is that you budget to have a zero fund balance. If you plan to spend $100
you budget for $100 with no excess or reserve allowed.
For
example, the State of West Virginia Special Revenue Funds (Governmental Funds),
considered part of the budget, had fund balances of $89 million in FY 2002. In
FY 2003 it was $104 million. The $104 will probably not be considered in the
this year's budget. The total cash and investments, funds that were not used
during the current year, was $147 million (surplus) and should be part of the
this year's budget. So if this year there is a "budget deficit" ask about these
funds not being considered or used.
4.
Budgeted expenditures should be last year's expenditures (as shown in the CAFR)
with an adjustment for increase in requirements (costed out) or reductions in
requirements. In most cases the CAFR expenditures are not considered in the
next year's budget because the CAFR in many cases is published after next
year's budget is considered and sometimes approved.
Running Surpluses is Stealing
Although
taxation is legitimate, running a government surplus
isn't. It represents a taking by the state,
because it exceeds the government's contract with the community. It is no
different than if a federal agency were to take a person's land or possessions
without just compensation (an activity barred by the Fifth Amendment).
Excess taxation isn't what the people bargained
for.
In presuming
entitlement or authority not ceded by the community, the state abrogates its
moral pact with those it governs. Its power is no
longer derived from the people, whose rights to liberty and property it boldly
denies.
"Collecting more taxes than is absolutely
necessary is legalized robbery" - Calvin
Coolidge
The Governor and the Legislators
The
Governor and the legislators should include in the next year's budget the
previous years revenues not spent as indicated by the CAFR. These were once a
revenue and should still be considered revenue for budgetary
purposes.
Also, they
should consider a zero-balance budget concept for all budget and non-budgetary
items in the CAFR including the College and Universities and the Component
Units.
Budgeted
expenditures (for the budget) should be last year's expenditures (from the
CAFR) adjusted for demonstrated requirement changes in project, program or
services. An increase in requirements should include the costs of these
additional requirements. Conversely, a decrease in requirements should result
in a decrease in costs associated with the decreased requirements.
The
Governor and legislators should take into consideration the entire financial
condition/status of the State in the budgetary process by including all of the
funds in the CAFR as being a part of the budget.
This system is covered in
the CAFR Budget
System. This system needs to be implemented in all
governments.
If the
State holds the excesses/surplus, it will earn 4% to
5% on that money. If the State returns the money to the people it
will receive 20% in revenue because of the
increased economic activity. This is elementary economics.
Laws need to be changed.
Every thing
done by governments is by law. There are laws that state this or that regarding
the use of some of the funds. Man made the laws, man can change the laws. How
much effort would it be to include at the end of every law "...or if considered
excess or not needed for the current operation that the funds will be refunded
to the taxpayers?" See how easy it is.
At one time
every law had its place, but things change. The laws need to be reviewed for
change to meet the current needs of the government and the people to release
these funds for use/refunded.
If this
were accomplished, the State would have a huge surplus to refund (rebate or tax
reductions) to the taxpayers. Such a refund would create considerable wealth
and jobs, increase wages, increase State and local government revenues,
dramatically increase the economy, and create the greatest economic expansion
in the history of the State. Everyone wins.
If you want
to know the financial condition of your government(s), do not look at the
budget. Get the CAFR.
The Synergistic Magic of
Economics.
What
happens when the government holds the $3.83 billion.
|
(In Thousands) |
Investment Income |
Per Capita |
Family of 4 |
|
|
The
government holds and investments the surpluses at 4.5%. |
174,454 |
95 |
381 |
|
Here
is what happens when the $3.83 billion is returned to the taxpayers (the
private economy).
|
(In Thousands) |
Surplus Effect |
Per Capita |
Family of 4 |
|
|
The
surplus is returned to the taxpayers. |
3,832,304 |
2,117 |
8,469 |
|
|
Wages are
increased. |
1,916,152 |
1,059 |
4,235 |
|
|
State
government revenues increase. |
766,461 |
423 |
1,694 |
|
|
Local
government revenues increase. |
613,169 |
339 |
1,355 |
|
|
Federal
government revenues increase. |
1,532,922 |
847 |
3,388 |
|
|
Total Benefits... |
|
4,785 |
19,140 |
|
In
addition, 76,646 jobs are created. This is why it is disastrous for governments
to hold excesses/reserves of the taxpayers money.
Note:
The economic impact analysis is further explained at
Economic Impact Analysis.
The business community suffers the most.
Before the
9-11 tragedy, President Bush and Congress provided tax rebates which averaged
$427 for every American. This was to create an additional $60 billion in
consumer (economic) spending, turn the economy around and create jobs for the
unemployed. However, 9-11 change that.
As the above
economic impact chart shows, if the State returned the $3.83 billion in
surpluses to the people the State economy would grow by $4,235 per capita. That
is 10 times the amount the Federal government used to stimulate the U.S.
economy. Businesses net incomes could double or triple. This is elementary
economics.
Examples
The WV
Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council, Governmental Funds, had
net expenses of $733 thousand. It also had reserves (cash and investments) of
$183 million. That is 250 years of net expenses. It had actual expenses of $7
million. The reserves represents 26 years of actual expenses. That definitely
is surplus, a lot of surplus.
Employment
Security, an Enterprise Fund and not part of the budget, had net expenses of
$84 million. But it also had cash and investment reserves of $241 million. That
is 3 years of net expenses. They sure are planning to have a lot of people
unemployed in West Virginia with that much surplus.
Environmental Protection, a Special Revenue Fund and part of the
budget, made a profit of $34 million. It had reserves of $92 million.
Water
Development Authority, a Component Unit and not part of the budget, made a
profit of $2 million and had cash/investment reserves of $50 million.
These only
represent four of the 46 funds shown below that had cash and investment
reserves not being used.
What to do?
Unless the
budget flaws are corrected and the entire State finances are used in the budget
process, the problems that created the surpluses will continue to exist. The
budget deficits reported by the Governor and legislatures will be used year
after year for the excuses for tax increases and/or to reduce needed
services.
Just
stopping a tax increase or a reduction in services will not solve the problems.
The problems will come back the next year.
I have
provided the details of the surpluses and explained the ways the surpluses are
accumulated. The data is accurate because it comes directly from the
government's own financial statement, the CAFR. You must provide the
where-with-all to convince the Governor and legislatures that the surpluses
exist and what should be done about it. I live in Arizona. It is not my money
that is at stake.
Exhibit A
The 2003
CAFR is located at:
http://www.West
Virginia.gov/dpa/dfp/sco/cafr/cafr.htm
Items not Included
The
following items are not included in the
amount of surplus shown:
-Buildings, roads, bridges, land (not for sale), and equipment.
-Deferred
compensation plans for employees. These are plans in which the employee
contributes to his/her retirement over and above the normal employee retirement
contribution.
-Any fund
that is 100% supported by donations, bequests, gifts, endowments, etc. These
are not taxpayers money.
-For
Colleges and Universities. All endowment and similar-type funds should not be
included as surpluses. Sometimes these funds are combined with other
college/university funds. We are interested in surpluses, so in these cases the
total amount should not be included.
-Funds in
which the revenues/contributions are 100% held for other individuals,
organizations or another government.
-Funds
that are required by law in which a bank, financial institution, insurance
companies, etc. are required to deposit with the government a certain amount
for insurance against the entity going bankrupt. These are not taxpayers'
money.
-Retirement/Pension Funds - only included are 1/2 of the actuarially determined excesses, the taxpayers
portion. The other 1/2 is the government employees portion.
Review of The State of West Virginia CAFR- FY
2003
CAFR Page |
Surpluses by
Fund (In Thousands) |
Surpluses |
|
Governmental Fund: |
|
25 |
General Fund |
445,144 |
25 |
Transportation |
112,570 |
25 |
West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development
Council |
183,004 |
|
Special Revenue Funds: |
|
146 |
Environmental
Protection |
92,138 |
146 |
School Building
Authority |
150
|
146 |
Public Service
Commission |
10,775 |
147 |
Crime Victims'
Compensation |
6,280 |
147 |
Insurance Commission
Examiners |
5,031 |
147 |
Armory Board |
2,509 |
147 |
Bureau of Employment
Programs |
4,803 |
147 |
Wildlife Resources |
24,153 |
147 |
Children's Fund |
1,030 |
|
Debt Service: |
|
150 |
School Building
Authority |
59,265 |
150 |
WV Infrastructure & Jobs
Development Council |
75
|
150 |
Education, Arts, Sciences and
Tourism Fund |
23,388 |
150 |
Lease Purchase
Account |
11,793 |
|
Capital Projects Funds: |
|
140 |
State Road |
34,562 |
140 |
School Building
Authority |
115,362 |
141 |
Education, Arts, Sciences, and
Tourism Fund |
151
|
141 |
Lease Purchase
Account |
53,843 |
|
Permanent Funds: |
|
141 |
Irreducible School |
1,805 |
141 |
Tobacco Settlement Medical Trust
Fund |
138,964 |
|
Propriety Funds: |
|
|
Enterprise Funds: |
|
30 |
West Virginia Lottery |
50,784 |
30 |
Water Pollution |
82,033 |
30 |
Workers' Compensation
Funds |
1,102,569 |
30 |
Employment Security |
240,807 |
159 |
Board of Risk Insurance
Management |
77,715 |
159 |
Public Employees' Insurance
Agency |
119,019 |
159 |
Drinking Water Treatment
Revolving Fund |
6,136 |
159 |
Alcohol Beverage Control
Administration |
6,824 |
159 |
West Virginia Prepaid College
Plan |
|
|
Internal Service Funds: |
|
154 |
State Building Fund |
19,821 |
154 |
Information Services and
Communications |
1,397 |
154 |
Travel Management |
725
|
154 |
West Virginia Investment
Management Board |
3,945 |
|
Fiduciary Funds: |
|
|
Private Purpose Trust
Fund: |
|
39 |
SMAT 529 |
|
|
Investment Trust Funds: |
|
169 |
Cash Liquidity |
|
169 |
Money Market |
|
|
Agency: |
|
171 |
Local Government |
|
171 |
Municipal Bond
Commission |
|
171 |
Consolidated Investment
Pool |
|
171 |
Other Agency |
|
|
Component Units: |
|
44 |
Economic Development Authority |
39,555 |
44 |
Housing Development Fund |
225,730 |
44 |
Parkways, Economic Development, and Tourism
Authority |
41,943 |
44 |
Water Development Authority |
49,784 |
45 |
Higher Education |
343,971 |
45 |
Regional Jail Authority |
44,018 |
174 |
Educational Broadcasting Authority |
1,642 |
174 |
Jobs Investment Trust |
16,445 |
174 |
West Virginia State Rail Authority |
1,039 |
175 |
Solid Waste Management Board |
2,598 |
175 |
Racing Commission |
25,451 |
175 |
Public Defenders Corporation |
1,558 |
|
Total Surpluses
|
3,832,304 |
|
Per Capita
|
2,117 |
|
Family of 4
|
8,469 |
Note: For those familiar with
governmental accounting, for surpluses we basically used GFOA Balance Sheet
Account Classification Codes 101, 102, 103, 151, 153, and 170.
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