total state expend sures hit record growth, fueled by stimulus money. >> the amount of money that we spend is a little bit more. >> but it is nowhere near what our revenue projections would have been. >> budget director marty brown says the government will never get smaller as the population grows and ages. there will only be more need for state services. some cuts have been made. to higher education and welfare. like subsidized child care and disability program until november paid maxwell mcguire $197 a month because of a slipped disincome his back. >> literally is, my life. people can't live on $1ed 97 a month anyway. >> the governor is pushing sales tax hike to avoid more cut to spending. republicans are opposed. >> they have to scare us, the people, to approving voting for tax increases. they do it by saying we have cut to the bone. they haven't. there is lots to cut. these are just people believing in big government. >> fiscal conservatives say