Oklahoma's state budgeting system could use more vision

Early test votes indicate that the tax cut sentiment remains strong. But so does the desire to keep certain tax breaks. Miller himself urges retention of a deduction for contributions to college savings plans.

The way forward? Moderation and caution. In Miller's view, it involves funding essential functions of state government and eliminating the rest. Spending would be based on results and outcomes rather than tweaking the previous year's budget. Ineffective tax credits would die. Nonessential state assets would be “monetized.” These are things that should be done whether or not taxes are cut. They simply make sense.

This springtime, the tools for fiscal management include pruning shears and the axe. Miller says we should use the first on the healthier parts of the tree and the latter for the dead weight. That's good advice in this season of new beginnings.

Is anyone listening?