Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-15
G0v.-Elect Milliken on
the Budget System Merits

the Budget System Merits
| Those nothing to -do-until-tomor.
row. days of the Maine Legislature are
gong TO be relegated to the back
ground. This long sought for reform
VIII be brought about according to the
opinion of progressive legislators by
the inauguration of the budget system
AS everyone familiar with the doings
OF the Maine Legislature knows there is
PERIOD at the beginning Of each ses-
sion when the members of both houses
not only mark time but are in actual
loleness-because of a lack of work. A;
some sessions this period of inactivity
mas been SO prolonged that members
nave become Disguised returned tc
their homes and have been brough,
back to their legislative duties only
AFTER the most earnest opportunities
This period of inactivity comes during
the formative stage of the legislature
When committees are organizing and
"hen legislators are working on meas
ures they intend to present. 1t might
last the whole of the month of Janu-
airy SO that 1t has been no uncommon
thlng Tor a Legislature not to begin
real work until February.
IL is the opinion of Governor-elect
Miillken and many Legislators with
Whom he has consulted that a budget
system in operation would not only
provide some real business for the
Legislature during these drab DAYS but
would also afford the legislators an op-
portunity for learning more about the
states ItnSinacS ko
in any other way
with the budget system In effect
there would be in the hands of the
Legislature as soon as it assembled an
approximate estimate Of just how much
money each State department and each
State institution would require.
Under the present arrangement ap-
preparation bills rarely get to a hear
ing until the busiest days of the ses-
sion. 1t is obviously impossible for
each measure to receive the careful
consideration that should be given it.
by having in advance an estimate as
TO the approximate amount of money
required by particular department or
institution, information as lust whv
THIS money is needed could be secured
much more quickly, authoritatiyely and
thoroughly than under the present ar
rangement
The plan would be simplicity itself. "
SAID Governor-elect Milliken, in dis
cusslns the proposition. Either the
committee on appropriations or a
SPECIAL committee named for the pur-
pose would have for it's especial duty a
thorough investigation Of the estimates
contained in the budget. A hospital
seeking certain sum would be as
signed for consideration on a narticu-
lar forenoon or afternoon during the
| days when there is really nothing IN.
oer the present system to engage the
attention Of the legislators.
THE committee having charge NJ III.
estimates would request the trustees OF
| This hospital or other institution as the
case might be to appear before it and
explain the needs. At the same time
opportunity will be given any member
or the Legislature-and all of them
should be willing-to attend the hear.
ing. While the public itself will he
| given Its chance to learn of the work
1ngs of a department or institution.
t Not more than two institutions or de-
partments would be taken I'D for con-
sioerat1on In single day. Thus, ample
consideration could be given to the
| claims OF each and the whole matter
dealing with the appropriation of mon
ey or the inauguration Of improve
ments for which money might be need
ed would be SO completely Investigated
and discussed that everyone would
have clear understanding, not only
as to the needs Of particular institu-
ton but also as to the management of
that institution and the place it fills
In the life Of the State.
Hearings on the needs Of various
institutions would be held on success
I've days, but no hearings would be held
in the evening for I believe that the
members Of the Legislature should
have the evenings to themselves to be-
come acquainted and to exchange
ideas.
After the most important Of the
institutions have been given 9 oppor-
tuntty to place their opinion before the
legislators resolves would be present
ed appropriating such sums of money
as in the opinion Of the committee
holding the hearing seem necessary for
particular matter in hand. Hearings
on these resolves Of course would be
held by the committee on appropria-
tons and financial affairs. And at
these second hearings the committee
would not only be in possession Of prac-
tically every bit Of information to- be
obtained on tho subject matter of the
| resolve, but could also hear additional
| facts that might have been omitted at
the previous discussion.
Under such an arrangement as this
cannot but feel that not only will
legislation be exploited. but the COM
mittee on appropriations would be bet
ter informed as to how much money
had been appropriated, and the legis-
lators themselves would have much
better information they are called upon
to pass than they can possibly have
under the present system, when there
Is such rush after the ordinary per-
Tod Of dullness which always comes
during the month Of January. Tho
budget SYSTEM to my mind, is one of
the most progressive adjuncts to state
government that can BE- secured. When
the Legislature assemblies opportunity
will be given for a thorough discussion
Of the Inauguration Of the system.
Many members-elect Of the Legislature
have been working hard on the idea. I
have conferred with as many of them
onA ho~,n ~,.-