Last week an excellent article appeared on the editorial page of
one of our metropolitan daily newspapers entitled "the money flows
in and out. " It had to do with the State budget. I should like to
give you this quotation from the article:

"When Governor Tawes was inaugurated for his first term January
14, 1959, the State government was operating under a budget totaling
$395. 5 million, " it said. "The budget proposal Mr. Tawes has sent
to the General Assembly for the fiscal year beginning July 1 calls for
expenditures in excess of $760. 6 million. That big expansion, " the
article goes on to say, "seems to run counter to the opinion that the
Governor is a conservative in State fiscal management. But does it?"
the question is asked.

"Mr. Tawes is not an innovator, " the article continues. "He has
rarely initiated new spending programs. He has adhered to policies
which have necessitated increased appropriations and given his support
to new programs only in cases of heavy pressure. Furthermore, the
rapid growth in the State's population has made increased spending
inevitable. "

This, I think, is a fair and valid appraisal of my record in the
management of the State's financial affairs. I have, as it is said, adhered
to policies which have necessitated increased appropriation, and yet I
have not been an innovator of new schemes.

What are these policies which I have adhered to that has made
it necessary for me to present a "record budget" in each of the years
I have been Governor? Well, essentially it is a policy of sustaining,
and wherever possible improving the vital State services—principally
for public education, public health and public welfare. In my message
to the General Assembly this year, I pointed out that approximately
84 per cent of the general fund appropriation which I am recommend-
ing for next year is allocated to education, health and welfare.

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