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.

Chuck S.,

I don't have a plan. I'm willing to admit that the financial problem, or crisis, is more complicated than you appear to think it is. So how much does your elimination of welfare and 99.9% reduction of DSHS and 60% reduction of state employee retirement reduce the budget gap by, or does it close it completely? Your solution appears to be off-hand or knee-jerk with no calculation of savings. Further, when you eliminate all but 1/10% of DSHS, you'll add many former state workers to the unemployment rolls, and oh, unemployment funds are exhausted, due to the widespread recession.

If the problem were easy, the state wouldn't need my recommendation on how to solve it. I don't think the state budget situation is as simple as you make it out to be.

Sg

Dave already explained this on the federal level. Rainy day fund = surplus = stealing money= need for a tax rebate

"The incumbent has increased spending by 33 percent since taking office, that's equal to $4,000 in new spending per family in Washington. This type of spending is unsustainable, and her own budget office is projecting a $600 million deficit by 2009. It's time to take steps now to rein in spending and show some fiscal restraint."

She was tapping reserves in 2007 when the economy was "good"

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/344117_budget19.html

"Rossi said"

I thought it wasn't a left or right issue yet you left out who said that.

GREGOIRE BUDGET

The new spending plan taps the state's surplus to add a net of $144 million to the current two-year, $33 billion budget.

Money goes for flood relief, health, campus safety, tracking sex offenders, small salary hikes for teachers and nursing home workers, and other expenses.

Gregoire would save most of the state's $1.4 billion surplus.

Gregoire's budget office says the deficit could exceed $600 million in the next biennium.

IMO one partial solutio could be that the State should start by stump breaking the local jurisidictions (counties, cities, and any other local tax revenue receiving entity) by letting them know that any new improvements are to be voted on and funded locally. Don't apply for any more of our grants, because we are putting that money back in the GF.

The voters of our state need about 4 or 5 years of having the sugar [censored] pulled away, and let the small jurisdictions prioritize improvements by their voter's wishes not by what type of grant is available for them. This of course would require these small governments to work much, much harder to get anything done, but it would let people see how much more can get done when their tax dollar stays home, in lieu of heading to Olympia.

For an example. Say a city wanted to have sidewalks added to a section of street. They could apply for a grant from the TIB (or something like it), or work their asses off to pass a municipal bond with a local super-majority. I would prefer to pay a local bond an extra $450 a year, than the state an extra $30. I think the ROI will be better for me.

The economy was good in 2007?
I'm fairly certain the rainy day fund didn't get tapped until 2009.

There were reserves before the rainy day fund was started

Well, duh.

Hard to start a rainy day fund when in deficit mode.

Surplus? We're collecting too much tax revenue, let's cut taxes!

Deficit? We're killing the economy, let's cut taxes!

It's raining out? Cut taxes!

Too sunny? Cut taxes!

Having the same answer for every single question kind of makes the answer start to look a little more like a knee jerk reaction than any sort of answer at all.

Fish on...

Todd

so true. this guy is a real ass-wipe!

Dood...the rest was fine, but did you have to bring Rory Bellows into the mix? That's just mean!

Fish on...

Todd

So long as you leave The King out of it, I'll be able to eat dinner tonight.

Fish on...

Todd

KK, just curiuos what you would propose. Usually you just insult people but I know you're an extremely intelligent person who has some ideas about this topic.

I'm genuinely interested in how we can get this state economy back. How do we pay for all the programs our state is funding? How do we take care of everyone that our state has taken under its' umbrella? Hell, I don't have the answer but you seem to know what's best for business, the needy, Eastern WA, etc. What's the answer?

Should all of us just put our money in a big pot and let those in charge distribute it as they see fit?

Just say casino......many times over......casino

guess who provides the money to balance the budget then? People who like to piss their money away in casinos....voluntarily.

simple, isn't it?

top that!

Oregon has done well with video crack and the lottery.

Can't happen. She's already been bought off.


Next idea?

Privatize the ferry system.

Privatize liquor.

Booze up and hop on a ferry to Everett and Bremerton. Secure the Navy Bases including the carriers and subs.

Secede from the Union. We become a nation with nuclear capabilities. Invade Canadia. At best, we can threaten North Korea. Just because.

Haven't figured out what to do with Canadia once it becomes ours.....so I'm not too sure how that helps our budget issues.

Finally, we get Alaska as our ally. When Sara Palin becomes President, we're set!!!!

Next issue?

Ah........................................... Says it all!

we can do without overpriced, underworked' consultants and outside contractors.

Not if you expect me to continue in the lifestlye I have become accustomed to.

KK assumes Microsoft will actually stay in Washington, and pay those tax increases. I would bet that odds are pretty good that Microsoft would tell Washington to FO, and move over seas, taking many jobs with it. What then?

Unlike me, you obviously don't have a severly disabled 10 year old son with CP, were ok till he turn 18 then were screwed, so yes, I do give a sh#t.

I've got a neighbor that is severly disabled due to an uninsured drunk driver, to bad it couldn't have been you.

Thanks for your concern you [censored] pile of Sh#t.

AK
Well said. As a Medicaid auditor I have seen people so disabled they have never gotten out of bed. We pay for their care because we are human. Same with the elderly who have spent their life savings on nursing care and can't afford any more and the small children who can’t help that their parents are losers, and the mentally ill, and, and . . .

There are many in our society who can’t help themselves. Unlike less civilized societies we try to help them, at least a little. I am proud of that. As you suggest those with no compassion are typically those who have never needed help. But any of us could be on the other side of that coin in a heartbeat.

Personally, I think we're taxed enough and it's mismanagement of our dollars........state sales tax at roughly 10%, high property taxes, etc, etc. As a self-employed annuity broker, I pay B & O taxes, fees, etc.

I have a racquetball bud who owns a mom/pop coffee shop in Seattle. He passes on $48,000 a year in sales tax to Gov.Chrissy. One guy= $48K, not to mention his personal sales taxes, property taxes, etc. And our state can't get it right?

Did you notice an increase in WSP patrols this week? Hmmm, must be needing some revenue. If you don't think so, drive I-90 between Bellevue and North Bend anytime....have your license, proof of registration, and insurance handy.

One more thing.....if you do drive I-90 around the High Point-Preston area and you see that new walking trail next to the freeway on the north side........I heard the price tag was $2+million.......to.....walk.....next....to......a......freeway.

Nice.

Snake

Kk, I never questioned if they owed the taxes, but to save 1 billion a year in taxes, a company like Microsoft would be very likely to move. Small wonder that your an unsuccessful businessman.

You posting all this from your Apple?
Bill Gates is one of the good guys.....giving away millions to create a better world and all......he's likely just not interested in giving to the bottomless pot hole of this State's incompetency.

I admit, I misread your statement. I thought you were saying that 20.7 billion would be subject to current sales tax rate.

Why would you want corporations to pay more? Aren't you incorporated? C Corp? Don't you keep your taxable income as low as possible? Maybe Washington is different, but I keep mine as near to broke as possible.

If Bill held your view I doubt his dad would have worked so hard to see an income tax. Prudent people always try to minimize taxes. Hell, who wants to pay tax? But that effort to minimize taxes does not necessarily translate into belief the government is a bottomless pit. I fact there is a bottom. It’s called balancing the budget every year.

I try to minimize my taxes every chance I get, but oh how I wish my income tax bill was about $1 million.

Only one state, North Dakota, has not reported budget shortfalls in any of these years.

North Dakota is run by a bunch of farmers Think about that

Perhaps other states should be using more of their natural resources too? Oregon and Washington could be actively exploring for oil and natural gas. It won't help us this minute, but would down the road.

North Dakota is also the only state with a state-ran bank. That sure sounds a lot like socialism. Bunch of socialist farmin' bastages. But as was pointed out, ND is the only state not reporting budget shortfalls. Socialist state-ran bank and no budget shortfall; I doubt they're mutually exclusive.