There appears to be a huge disconnect between Gov. Robert Bentley and the overwhelming Republican legislature. They seem to be working on two separate agendas.

Apparently, Gov. Robert Bentley and party leadership did not reach a meeting of minds before he sprung a huge tax increase on them for approval.

The days are probably gone when a governor wields so much power he can impose his will on the legislature without first gathering some support for his agenda.

I suppose it is unsportsmanlike to kick a man when he is down, but in my opinion, Gov. Bentley brought this budget impasse upon himself. You hate to pile on when someone is having a personal issue to deal with, but the state’s business must go on.

The governor wants taxes raised to fill the deficits in the general fund. The Republicans were elected on a pledge of no new taxes and are acting out their constituents’ wishes. The Democrats, as always, want a lottery or casino style gambling. They also want to expand Medicaid under Obamacare. So, there are three competing plans to fix the general fund budget crisis warring with one another.

In my opinion, there isn’t a department in the state operating too lean. Apparently, the Republicans think some areas could do with less too. It is that government is always increasing and no one wants to give up anything.

Government on all levels is a constant growth entity. They are programmed to spend, not save. No one thinks of ways to save money by attrition or otherwise. It is always how to expand expensive programs and protect their voting block. State government needs a non-partisan “save-a-buck” committee with authority to recommend savings to the Legislature instead of leaving it up to elected partisans.

When cuts are proposed, it most always includes some high profile departments that are considered sacred cows by some.

You would think by listening to elected officials the state is on starvation rations.

To the Democrats who keep harping on expanding Medicaid, how does the state meet its obligation under Obamacare later when a portion of the cost is passed on to the state?

If they can’t meet their obligations now, how can they possibly do so by adding more to the Medicaid roles?

According to an article in The Wall Street Journal, the State of Tennessee just this past week awarded Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee a 36.3 percent rate hike in insurance premiums due to two years of Obamacare patients coming into the system. Minnesota has applied for a 54 percent increase. Two other states have over 30 percent increases and several others have double digit increases for the 2016 year.

In 2018, the 40 percent increase kicks in on the so called Cadillac plans employers offer their employees. Three of the co-ops established under Obamacare are already closing due to losing millions after receiving millions in taxpayer funded loans.

Seems I recall a promise that Obamacare would reduce a family’s premiums by $2500 a year? Well so much for that, not only are premiums rising, but so are higher deductibles, and higher co-pays too. So, the bottom line here is the poor old working stiff paying the bills, still gets the shaft.