Evensen: Herbert's Budget Too Optimistic?

Jay Evensen, noting that Gov. Herbert's budget proposal "is based on the assumption that the current deficit will turn into a surplus by fiscal 2011," says: "It's interesting. When times are good and surpluses loom, Republicans like to champion conservative budgeting. They always assume things won't be as good as they probably will be. But when times are bad, conservative budgeting would mean tough cuts and tax increases. Herbert's budget is just the first volley in the annual budget battle between the legislative and executive branches. In February, updated tax revenue figures will be available, giving us a better idea whether the economy really has turned a corner."