Cutting the state budget could be a difficult exercise, but one approach could involve new ways to do things.
Senate President Phil Nicholas does not think lawmakers have gone on a spending spree in recent years, but he does believe they should revisit some decisions. For instance in the area of mental health the state spent a lot of money providing grants in an effort to improve service. Nicholas says they need to study to see if decisions like that one were effective.
"Is for example providing grants for mental health care and for crisis centers the way to do it, or are you better off to go back to fee for services? Because grants provide open doors, but don’t necessarily get people served. Fee for services at least get the services provided to the people that need it."
Nicholas says that’s one example of something that may need to be reconsidered. He says it’s important to find if there are better and more efficient ways to provide services. The Joint Appropriations Committee will continue budget hearings next month.
