| |
Our state’s budget process
needs to be fundamentally changed
Letter to Whidbey Examiner
"The
majorities in the House and Senate have revealed their proposals to
address our state’s $9 billion budget shortfall. Unfortunately, both
rely on one-time federal dollars, state fund transfers and creative
borrowing. These unsustainable approaches push aside structural problems
in our budget and point tax increases at the public.
"Our state
must pass a budget that does not raise taxes on employers or families.
We have enough tax collections to pay for the core priorities of
education, public safety and protection of our most vulnerable. In fact,
our state will likely have more tax collections for the next budget
compared to the current one. The challenge is to look inward at state
government, identify savings and efficiencies, and restructure programs
and services. This is what state lawmakers are elected to do – to make
difficult decisions.
"As I advocate for a no-new-taxes budget
that restructures and prioritizes state government, I’m also working
with my legislative colleagues to fundamentally improve the budget
process. I’m supporting a legislative package that would bring
sustainability, transparency and accountability to the process, with the
goal of preventing current problems from reoccurring. For example, I
believe our state should put more money in its rainy day fund during
good economic times, require the Legislature to adopt a balanced budget
and establish a state spending limit. These proposals are rooted in
common sense and fairness to taxpayers, and their principles are similar
to what responsible families and employers are doing across our state."
State Representative Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, is
assistant ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee.
# # #
For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
|
|