What surplus? It's our money and we want it back

Idaho's leaders have a problem.

There is a $247 million surplus burning a hole in their pockets.

So, what should our leaders do with our money? Remember, there is a surplus only because we taxpayers overpaid.

There have been some good ideas bantered about: Give raises to every state employee; fund the Idaho Transportation Department to fix Idaho's roads and bridges or how about addressing prisons, health care, affordable housing, etc?

There is a long line of justifiable needs.

Our only worry is that nearly every one of these proposals won't really be helped with a one-time shot in the arm.

Rome wasn't built in a day, and Idaho's road woes won't be fixed with a one-time infusion.

The problem with all of the plans for this money is that it would mean even more money would have to be allocated in future years for these programs.

Idahoans can't rely on the fact that another surplus will follow next year and the year after. In fact, it would be our hope that our leaders would continue to be frugal when it comes to the state budget.

It's our opinion that the state is run on a pretty lean budget and for the most part the needs outdistance the wants.

Here are a few options we would throw out:

? How about a one-time rebate to all of the state taxpayers who were overcharged last year?

? How about modernizing the state prison system? Idaho wastes millions of dollars by shipping our prisoners out of state because of overcrowding. By considering expanding or privatizing our prison system, th-e state could actually make money by keeping other state's prisoners here.

? How about not taxing groceries?

This surplus has to be used for a one-time expense and, admittedly, the sales tax exemption for groceries idea doesn't do that.

To not confine the influx of money from the surplus to one year actually saddles future taxpayers with additional expenses and would act as a time bomb in the future if the state ever went into deficit spending.

That's a check Idahoans cannot afford to sign.

David Keyes is publisher of the Daily Bee.