Kudos to the Yuma Sun. Print dailies rarely editorialize in favor of spending cuts:

That means the earliest a sales tax increase could go on the ballot, presumably through a voter initiative, would be in the election in November 2010. Even it that were to happen, the governor has acknowledged it would not help with the state's current fiscal shortfall. A tax increase that does not help the situation makes no sense.

That leaves budget cuts. The governor's office has told directors of the state's agencies to prepare for cuts of 15 to 20 percent in January. Cutbacks actually should come even sooner than that.

One of the mistakes made last year was waiting too long to make reductions in state expenses. The result is much more dramatic short-term cuts having to be made to balance the state budget because there is less time to stretch out the cost reductions.

By starting the cuts immediately, they can be smaller and should be less felt.

Waiting for a "miracle" cure to the state budget problems will only increase the pain.

The full editorial is here:

http://www.yumasun.com/opinion/state-53088-cuts-budget.html