Feb. 18, 2009

Dear friends and neighbors,

Our legislative session is now in its sixth week and is scheduled to run through April 26. Two of the most important issues on the minds of state lawmakers continue to be the state economy and budget. With unemployment rising and state revenue declining, never before has it been more important for the Legislature to find ways to preserve and create jobs, and get the state's finances in order.

I'm a firm believer that state spending and the state economy are closely tied. If the state cannot control spending, it cannot control taxes. And more taxes on families and employers is the last thing we want in our current economic conditions. That is why I support a no-new-taxes budget.

The bottom line is this: it's time for the state to live within its means. I have some ideas below that would ensure this goal becomes a reality.


Putting revenue aside in good economic times

I'm the primary sponsor of House Joint Resolution 4209, which would direct exceptional state revenue in good economic times to the rainy day fund. Simply put: when the state experiences extraordinary tax collections, like it did three years ago due to a hot housing market, it would be required to set this extra revenue aside.

If this proposal and the rainy day fund had been in place in 2005, our state would have set $2.4 billion in revenue aside. Had our state put this extra revenue aside, our massive budget shortfall would be much smaller today.

Saving more money in good economic times is just a smart way to budget. It would lead to taxpayer protections, better state government and more certainty in our state economy.

My measure has a companion in the Senate, Senate Joint Resolution 8209, which has bipartisan support. Both measures would require the state constitution to be amended.


Ensuring a financially sustainable state operating budget

I'm also the prime sponsor of House Bill 2228, a measure that would prevent the governor from proposing, or the Legislature from passing, a financially unsustainable state operating budget. In other words, state lawmakers would not be allowed to pass a budget that would spend more than the state's forecasted revenue.

Unfortunately, when our current two-year budget was passed in 2007, the governor and majority party knew it was unsustainable. Now the state must make deep cuts. My bill would go a long way in preventing the budget crisis the state finds itself in today from ever happening again. 


More responsible, transparent and accountable state spending

The two measures I outline above are part of a legislative package I'm proposing aimed at more responsible, transparent and accountable state spending. The rest of this package targets state fiscal notes, performance audits, agency rules and emergency clauses. You can find more details on these ideas in my last e-newsletter.


Changing topics, there is a ferry rally today in Olympia. I understand and respect the concerns of people who want and deserve more from our state ferry system. My goal remains to ensure that we get two new ferries for the Keystone - Port Townsend run, and that we make the necessary improvements for the Clinton - Mukilteo run. I will have an update on these issues in a future e-newsletter. 

In closing, please feel free to view my video updates and news releases if you would like more information. I will also be holding town hall meetings in mid March. I'm working hard to provide you the latest information on what is happening in Olympia.

If you ever have any ideas, questions or concerns to share with me, please do so. My contact information is above and can also be found here.

Sincerely,


Barbara

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