Alva Review-Courier -

Writing and approving a balanced budget is the most important responsibility the constitution places on the Legislature. Back in February, we knew we’d be facing a budget gap of about $85 million because of low energy prices. But revenue figures that had already been impacted by lower oil and gas prices were hit even harder by the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, the State Board of Equalization projected we’d be facing a hole of at least $1.3 billion for Fiscal Year 2021.

Rather than simply approving deep across the board budget cuts – a move that would have been...