John Campbell: “I tried to keep track on my paper here of how many times the opposition to this budget proposal used the word ``cut,''…”

“I tried to keep track on my paper here of how many times the opposition to this budget proposal used the word ``cut,'' and I ran off the edge of the page. It is 30- something or 40-something times they used the word ``cut.'' The truth is, this budget that is before you increases spending every single year. Let me repeat that. This budget increases spending every single year. Increasing is not a cut. When you go from three to four, that is not a cut. It does not increase spending as much as the current rate of increase, which is unsustainable over time, which is why this is such a responsible budget. It also does not increase taxes and does not depress the economy in the way an increase of taxes would do, but it does balance this budget in 5 years in the only way we know we can do it; without smoke and mirrors, without any games, by simply spending within our means.”