Sure the governent spends money. Here in WA you have education (k-12) which is constitutionally mandated as the state's #1 priority. You have prisons, you have the State Patrol.

You can nickle and dime the earmarks, the 1% for art, etc. but it is not going to get there.

WA has not funded some of the retirement plans as they were supposed to. So, instead of putting a dollar in and letting it grow they now need to put in 3 to meet a mandated program.

Not saying that the majority party was any great shakes either but until theyy work together it ain't gonna work well.