A surplus is not a green light to spend

The news of an additional $4.5 billion to the state’s coffers is encouraging only as a good sign that our state economy is moving in the right direction.  However, this should not be seen as a green light to start spending.  I am hopeful that our leaders in Sacramento view this as an opportunity to build additional fiscal prudence and responsibility into the state budget process, so that we don’t end up in the same situation again.