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Statement from Rep. Barbara
Bailey on House Democrats’
state operating budget proposal released
today
10th District lawmaker is assistant ranking
Republican
on House Ways and Means Committee
"I’m
disappointed in what the House majority party has proposed. It is yet
another loose-threaded, patchwork budget that relies on one-time federal
dollars, state fund transfers and borrowing to just get us by the next
two years. It is an unsustainable approach that avoids structural
problems, and points tax increases at the public.
"Our state
faces tough choices and needs budget leadership. I believe this includes
restructuring state government and focusing on priorities such as
education, public safety and the protection of our most vulnerable
populations. We still have time to apply these principles to both the
House and Senate budget proposals, and I will be doing all I can to
convince budget writers that this is the most responsible and
sustainable approach.
"State lawmakers must use current
budget problems as a blueprint for change. Our goal should be to prevent
the problems of today from happening in the future. I am sponsoring
proposals that support this goal -- including preventing unsustainable
budgets from being passed, creating a spending limit and putting
extraordinary revenue aside in good economic times. Without fundamental
changes to our budget process, we can continue to expect large
shortfalls and calls for tax increases every two years."
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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