washington business
editorial writer Kim Bradford wrote in a blog post. “Legislators aren’t just
passing unsustainable programs, they are constructing placeholders doomed
to disappear.”
“Careful, governor,” The Seattle Times wrote in an editorial.
Even liberal economists conceded that the growth in spending was not
sustainable. But their answer, both then and now, was to raise taxes rather than
slow the spending.
Unmoved, lawmakers presided over an astounding rise in spending, lulled
into a sense of security by years of revenue growth that provided a healthy
margin of error.
“The last few years have been kind to state budget writers as upward revisions
to the state revenue forecast have followed one another with numbing regularity,”
noted a February 2007 policy brief from the Washington Research Council.
“Many have come to believe that this is normal. This is a dangerous belief.”
No one knew quite how dangerous.
For years, lawmakers guaranteed future budget
shortfalls by spending more money than the
state was projected to take in.
Even if they balance the budget this year
through a combination of spending cuts and
even a sales tax increase, the long-term outlook
calls for more shortfalls in the years to come.
To end the cycle, lawmakers must be honest
about how much they expect the state to take
in as revenue and spend accordingly.
Who to Watch in 2012
A partial budget fix during last year’s special session means that budget issues will remain paramount in the 2012 legislative session. Budget
leaders in the House and Senate will be among the lawmakers to watch with particular attention. The rising influence of moderate Democrats
in both chambers, a group known as the Roadkill Caucus, means some of their members will figure prominently in the discussion, as well.
Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle
Rep. Gary Alexander, R-Olympia
Chairman, Senate Ways & Means Committee
Ranking Minority Member,
House Ways & Means Committee
Worked across the aisle with Sen. Zarelli crafting a budget deal that eventually got lawmakers
out of town last year, even if it didn’t solve the
long-term budget issues.
Advocates expansion of nontribal gambling as
a potential source of revenue and jobs.
Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield
Sen. Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup
Ranking Minority Member,
Senate Ways & Means Committee
Member of the Roadkill Caucus,
running for Secretary of State
Continues to work closely with Murray while
Recorded a YouTube video (bit.ly/Kastama)
emphasizing the need to establish priorities
and reform government.
for constituents that offers one of the clearest
explanations yet for why the state will be
dealing with budget shortfalls every year for the
next five years unless lawmakers make some
significant changes.
Rep. Ross Hunter, D-Medina
Chairman, House Ways & Means Committee
Serving in his 10th year in the Legislature, says
he was hoping to “swoop in” and fix school
funding and return to the private sector.
winter 2012 35