March 19, 2009

Rep. Gary Alexander releases statement following today's
updated revenue forecast

Rep. Gary Alexander, R-Olympia and ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, released the following statement regarding today's updated revenue forecast which saw revenues for the 2009-11 biennium decrease by approximately $500 million:

"We've been hearing for some time about the need to wait until the official March revenue forecast before an official state spending plan can be discussed within the Legislature.  There's been a lot of time wasted since the beginning of session when House Republicans were calling for immediate action.  I'm hoping that we can now begin the serious task of closing our state's $8.8 billion budget shortfall and placing Washington back on the path of budget sustainability, responsibility, and restraint.

"I want to make it clear that House Republicans are absolutely convinced that we can -- and should -- balance our state budget and protect our most vulnerable citizens without raising taxes.  We need to start with reassessing the programs and projects the Legislature created or added to over the last four years of unrestrained spending.  We should then prioritize our spending based on the revenues that are available, not on what we want.  Finally, we should be looking for ways to deliver state services more efficiently and effectively.  Streamlining our operations -- just like the private sector is being forced to do -- should be a top priority.

"Difficult times require leadership and the ability to make difficult decisions.  We as elected officials should not be looking for the easy way out by trying to balance our budget on the backs of hard-working families through tax increases.

"Tax increases, in any shape or form, should not be part of the solution."

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