http://mynorthwest.com/category/ap_state/20101123/WA-gov-gives-lawmakers-budget-ideas/

Gov. Gregoire proposes deep cuts to WA programs

Gov. Chris Gregoire (AP Photo//Ed Andrieski)
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Gov. Chris Gregoire unveiled a two-year budget plan Wednesday that uses a mix of cuts to state programs, suspension of voter initiatives and use of the state's "rainy day" fund to patch a projected $4.6 billion deficit.

In her proposal unveiled Wednesday, Gregoire makes about $3 billion in cuts in her 2011-2013 budget to programs across state government. Another $1.1 billion is saved by not paying for two voter-backed education initiatives that deal with teacher pay raises and money for reducing class sizes.

She proposes eliminating the Basic Health Program, which provides subsidized medical insurance to poorer Washingtonians, and she would eliminate cash grants and medical care for the Disability Lifeline program, which aids mostly childless adults who are unemployable but not receiving federal aid. The proposal also would eliminate the Children's Health Program, which provides medical coverage for 27,000 children who may be in the country illegally.

The biggest reductions are seen in K-12 education, through both the suspension of teacher pay and class size Initiatives 728 and 732, as well as a 10 percent reduction to a state scholarship and student outreach program. Combined, they save the state $2.2 billion over the next two years.

Also missing is $600 million that would have gone into additional spending on public education, the first phase of a multiyear plan that was dictated under a bill passed during the legislative session earlier this year.

Gregoire also suggests a 6.2 percent reduction in levy equalization payments, which help K-12 school districts that have lower levels of property-tax support.

Higher education would see across-the-board budget cuts of 4.2 percent at both four-year schools and community and technical colleges, saving the state $102 million. The cuts could result in fewer classes being offered, larger class sizes and fewer faculty positions.

Gregoire also proposed allowing colleges and universities to raise tuition for resident undergraduates at set amounts. For example, a student at a community college would see an increase of $280 in fiscal year 2012, followed by a $305 increase in fiscal year 2013. A student at the University of Washington would see their tuition increase by $940 in 2012, and by $1,050 in 2013. Gregoire also proposed a bump in financial aid to help offset costs for students.

In a written statement presented with the budget, Gregoire said her proposal "is not a budget I ever expected to see in the state of Washington, and the choices in it are the most difficult ones I've ever faced.

"The reality of this recession is that it has dismantled many of the programs that I, and millions of others in the state, value," she wrote. "In any other time I would not sign this budget."

Gregoire would tap about $290 million from the state's Rainy Day Fund, created by voters for budget emergencies, and transfer about $400 million in funds from other accounts to the state's operating budget.

Earlier in the week, she announced pieces of her budget plan, including the consolidation of several state agencies, the elimination of three dozen boards and commissions, and changes to the state pension system. State workers will also see a 3 percent cut in pay through unpaid time known as furloughs.

Her plan would leave the state's operating budget with a balance of about $881 million.

Lawmakers start their 105-day legislative session in January, and Democratic leaders in both the House and Senate will present their own proposals then.

Tax increases are not a likely option following the November election, where voters rejected several new taxes and place renewed restrictions on the Legislature's ability to raise taxes without a statewide vote.
Online:

http://www.governor.wa.gov

http://www.leg.wa.gov

DOA
Now comes the widow and orphan parade ............. followed closely by the state employees union. The show has just started!

Maybe the free security guards the WSP provides to the heads of Boeing, Microsoft, Weyerhauser and other companies could be ended too.

Chuck,

Since there's time before the Legislative session begins, would you please list the programs that should be cut and the ones that should be saved?

Sg

Who cares? the only people affected will be the poor, the disabled, the mentally ill and the elderley. Why should we care about them? All the are is a drag on society. Dump em................ unles you happen to be poor.disabled. mentally ill or elderley, then maybe you give a sh#t.

Because they would rather waste money on pet projects. They have the money, they just waste it.

Furloughs? Heck hiring is still going on in Olympia, even with a "hiring freeze" in place.

So depending on who you ask, Washington is facing a $5-$8 billion dollar budget deficit, do tell where 5-8 billion is being spent unwisely.

Well here's millions that took me less than a minute to find. I'm sure there are millions and billions more.

Did it ever occur to you that this might just be the result of a bad economy?

Nope! When was the last year that either Oregon or Washington did NOT have a budget shortfall? In your household I'll bet you pay bills then budget luxuries, government is almost the exact opposite.

The first people to get screwed under any system are the ones that foot the bill to keep said system in place. They're also the ones most ardently supporting said system.

[quote=bait dunker]Nope! When was the last year that either Oregon or Washington did NOT have a budget shortfall? In your household I'll bet you pay bills then budget luxuries, government is almost the exact opposite. [/quote

You never cease to amaze me by the fact that you know so little about so many things.

By law states MUST balance their budget. They, unlike the federal government, cannot spend more then they take in. Therefore the answer to your question is never. Sure they often must make hard decisions, just like families do, and there are always more wants than available funds; but they do not have the luxury of deficit spending.

Dave, I didn't say the states didn't balance the budget, I said when did they not have a budget shortfall? The states, with rare exception, pay for non essential pet programs, then make cuts to essential programs because they overspent (said shortfall). So to answer my own question, every single budget cycle.

Hats off to Mason county.

2007 $1.4 billion budget surplus and the Reps screamed bloody murder about it.

There are pet projects on all sides. For instance Eastern Washington is the Reps pet project. Might as well be a break away welfare state. Want to balance the budget then make Eastern Washington pay full price for all of it's state services.

It's not a right or left issue, both parties spend more than needed.

Absolutely agree that the economy has a lot to do with the situation we are in. I also place a fair amount of blame at Gregiore's feet, spending and increasing government at a pace that was unsustainable.

Some of you would like to see the budget cuts handled differently. it's a lot like pulling teeth. This smart guy came up with a solution but will it work for you?


Budget cuts could be like pulling teeth

Ah, the coast is a bigger one on that. With the loss of manufacturing jobs & timber, influx of uneducated Hispanics, add to the mix unemployment has stayed high which causes a real strain on everything in social services. Also as the cost of housing in the PS region increased we have had a rather large influx of low income folks from the urban areas as housing is cheaper as the lack of jobs had many area locals leaving, so empty rentals.

In our county budget the cost of providing representation in court cases for those who lack funds is huge. One Commissioner once remarked to me that every time the Legislature passed a new law it cost them a ton of $$$$, unfunded mandates he called them.

Everything is interlocked everywhere, like it or not, and most don't.