June 18, 2009

Rep. Gary Alexander's statement on today's revenue forecast
'The band aid approach that we used to close our budget deficit this past session continues to bleed' says Alexander

Rep. Gary Alexander, R-Olympia and ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement today regarding Washington's new revenue forecast.

"This revenue forecast continues to show how a house of cards cannot stand.  We missed opportunities this past session to create a structurally-sound budget and we continue to see the ramifications of our inaction.  The band-aid approach that was used to close our budget deficit continues to bleed.

"The governor has the authority and ability to make across-the-board reductions in her cabinet agencies, and she should exercise this option.

"We cannot let this forecast lead us down the road to tax increases.  Our budgets need to be based on the revenue we have, not the revenue we want.  Our hard-working families cannot afford any kind of tax increase."

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