May 19, 2009

Operating budget signed by governor will burden taxpayers
Statement from Rep. Gary Alexander, lead Republican
on the House Ways and Means Committee

House Ways and Means Ranking member Rep. Gary Alexander, R-Olympia, issued the following statement today in response to the Democrat budget signed by Gov. Gregoire:

"The governor and Democrat majority chose short-term solutions as the method to solve the budget crisis facing the state. Rather than making long-lasting changes to the budget building process by finding ways to deliver services more effectively and efficiently, they opted for the easy way out.

"Unfortunately, the budget signed into law today will burden taxpayers because it was built using one-time money, including federal funds and money intended to build essential infrastructure. This hampers efforts to create jobs and energize our state's economy.

"Many program costs are only temporarily delayed for two years. Essentially, the majority party continues to grow government. They're just temporarily paying for ongoing programs with one-time money with the intention of resuming their overspending habits in a few short years. It is clear our state's economy can't support the level of spending we've seen in the last four years which led to our current deficit. Washington citizens will be faced with more broken promises and almost certain tax increases.

"The bottom line is that the governor and majority party have overcommitted the taxpayers with this budget. It leaves an ending fund balance for the 2009-11 biennium of $490 million and only $740 million in the rainy day account. It is clear we will be facing a shortfall just as big, if not bigger in two years because the Legislature was unwilling to fundamentally change the way it does business."

# # #

For more information, contact: Brendon Wold, Senior Information Officer: (360) 786-7698