June 18, 2009

Rep. Barbara Bailey's statement on today's state revenue forecast
10th District state lawmaker is assistant ranking Republican
on the House Ways and Means Committee  

The state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council released a revenue forecast for the 2007-09 biennium and the 2009-11 biennium today. The combined General Fund-State net change is a decrease of about $482 million from the March forecast.

"Today's revenue forecast reveals that our state is again on pace to spend more than it will have coming in for tax collections. To address this gap, I encourage the governor to make reductions in her cabinet agencies. This would be a good first step.  

"The best way to balance our state finances in a sustainable way is to prioritize state government and reform our budget process. I joined my House Republican colleagues in proposing solutions this year that would accomplish these goals. We will continue to advocate for these ideas and engage the public in doing so.

"What must be avoided are tax increases. There is a strong movement in Olympia to establish a new state income tax and raise the state sales tax. It makes no sense to take more money out of people's pockets when we are in a consumer-led recession. My sense is most people want state government to live within it means – much like they are having to do in these economic times."

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