If we ran our households like the government, we would all be bankrupt.

I understand that the budget here is over-simplified for the sake of ease and simply making a point; however, it is still useful. In a small business or household, you don't easily increase your revenue. It would be easy to ask for more, but rarely it happens. So first thing you need to look at is reducing your spending. We'll compare k-12 education here to fixed payment liabilities in your household budget. You can't reduce it without some huge overhaul. So leave that part of the budget alone. Now look at all of the other categories, cut them all and use any money you have more efficiently. If your grocery budget is $800 per month now, cut it to $700 or even $600 per month and make due. Yes, you may have to forgo that steak you want or even better utilize the items in your pantry, but after you make the cuts and adjust to the changes, you may find yourself noticing that you can fit that steak back in but in more moderation. Whether it's right or not, the government sets the example for us an individuals and families. We have had to tighten our belts over the past couple of years, and the state should do the same. The government throws out scare tactics about cutting funding in education and roadways, etc. because it's easier to ask for more money than to take a good hard look in the mirror and realize they are wasting away the money they receive. We need services to be fiscally responsible and perhaps even frugal at times. We need to keep services running efficiently whether there is a budget shortfall or not. The problem is that the state became used to spending big when the economy was better, but didn't want to adjust their spending when the revenues tightened up. I hope this budgeter is monitored by the state, and maybe it will open some eyes to the true issues of government overspending on inefficiencies.