Pflug seeks constitutional amendment limiting government spending to projected revenues

January 13, 2009

OLYMPIA…In response to Washington’s unprecedented $6 billion budget deficit, state Sen. Cheryl Pflug, R-Maple Valley, has introduced a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment that would limit state spending to projected revenues.  

“Our state could easily have dodged this bullet,” Pflug said. “Last spring we warned the majority party of a coming deficit, but its members were determined to create new programs – without the money to pay for them. This amendment to our state constitution would, once and for all, stop the lust for spending that has needlessly placed Washington in debt.”  

The amendment would prohibit the Legislature from passing any operating budget which if maintained into the following biennium, would exceed the revenues and reserves in the state general fund and all related funds.  Essentially, it would cover most of the major state funds receiving tax dollars. 

“If this amendment had been in place, it would have prevented the overspending in the 2007-09 operating budget,” Pflug said. “By February 2008 revenue forecasts showed we would be $2.5 billion in debt for the 2009-11 biennium. It would also have eliminated the irresponsible passage of ‘feel good’ legislation like Paid Family Leave, the cost of which was punted to a future budget. Our new President said we are entering ‘a new era of responsibility.’ I think this is a great way to start.” 

As with all constitutional amendments, if passed by the Legislature, the proposal will go to the ballot for ratification by the citizens of Washington.  

Sen. Pflug represents the 5th Legislative District, which includes North Bend, Maple Valley, Issaquah, Sammamish, Fall City,
Snoqualmie and parts of rural King County.

For more information contact Pat Albright
at (360) 786-7519 or albright.pat@leg.wa.gov^.