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What’s next for Washington’s budget?
Even with a December special session, the 2012 Legislature faces a $1.5 billion budget
shortfall and the prospect of continued shortfalls without a significant reset. What can
lawmakers do this year to ensure a sustainable budget this year and in the years ahead?
meeting expectations in
challenging times
Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle
In the Senate last year, we passed a balanced, bipartisan
budget in tough economic times. Again in the recent special
session, we reached a broad bipartisan agreement, closing
roughly a quarter of what has been described as a $2 billion
budget challenge.
As we work to close the rest of the gap in regular session, I
hope we can come together once more and find a solution that
serves all of Washington. The challenge, however, has never
been greater.
I believe most folks are tired of partisan wrangling about
who or what is to blame for our situation, or whether we
should cut services or raise revenue. People really want a
government that functions for everyone, from the school
child to the shop owner to the senior citizen.
Meeting that expectation is our true challenge.
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reforming state government
We have reformed state government, including consolidating the functions of five agencies into one and moving state
parks off of general fund. Every dollar we save by becoming
more efficient is another dollar for the major priorities of
government: education, health care and public safety.
We also reformed the unemployment insurance programs —
lowering rates for 88 percent of employers and saving more
than $200 million — because we know helping employers hire
helps Washington as a whole recover. We will continue to
reform government and make it more efficient.
But while reform helps balance the numbers in budgets,
I believe budgets are ultimately about people.
They determine who has health care, who gets an education, who finds a job. Whether in my community in Seattle
or in rural towns in Eastern Washington, our state budget
affects lives. They affect everyone from citizens and business owners who need safe communities, to the vulnerable
people dependent on state services and the professionals
who make their living providing them.
18 association of washington business
Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle