Sen. Zarelli statement on governor's budget proposal

Dec. 18, 2008

OLYMPIA… Sen. Joseph Zarelli, Republican leader on the Senate Ways and Means Committee and member of the Economic Revenue and Forecast Council, issued this statement regarding the operating budgets proposed today by Gov. Christine Gregoire: 

“The governor has put the budget process on the proper course with her proposal for the 2009-11 biennium. It doesn’t quite align spending with anticipated revenue but does spend less than the current budget. And she did what she promised by balancing that budget without tax increases. Those are positive steps. There is some room for discussion about whether the priorities reflected in her budget are the real, core priorities of government. But overall it’s a move in the right direction. 

“As the Senate moves into the 2009 session and begins building its budget proposal, there are a few principles which ought to be followed. One is to protect services for the most vulnerable even if it means sacrifices in other parts of the budget. Another is to avoid tax increases and the temptation to ask voters to approve tax increases. A third is to make sure the new budget is transparent and sustainable without the use of one-time money or other gimmicks.  

“The governor spoke of the faces of the people who will be affected by her budget, and we see those faces too. That’s all the more reason why the Legislature should adopt a final supplemental budget for 2007-09 during the first week of the 2009 session. We can make policy changes in that budget which save much more money as they’re carried forward into the 2009-11 biennium. Voting in January on a supplemental budget that saves 500 million dollars in the current budget could cut the deficit in the next budget by 2 billion dollars, which could preserve programs and services that protect the most vulnerable. What’s not to like about that? All it would take is for the legislative budget leaders to get together in the next few weeks and come to an agreement.  

“Keep in mind that most of the budget crisis is the result of decisions made in Olympia, not the national economic meltdown – otherwise the shortfall would be closer to 2.5 billion dollars, not approaching 6 billion dollars. It’s appropriate to respond with spending reductions, and that’s how the governor has responded. 

“This is the first budget Governor Gregoire has proposed which doesn’t rely on tax increases or greatly outspending the anticipated revenue growth, and in that way it is a move toward getting our state off what she has called the ‘budget rollercoaster’. The governor has done her part and made a solid case for her choices. Now the ball moves into the Legislature’s court.” 

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For more information contact Eric Campbell
at (360) 786-7503 or campbell.eric@leg.wa.gov.