Jan. 27, 2009

Hinkle cosponsors legislation to change 'business as usual' when crafting state's budget
'We can't keep doing things the same way and expect different results' says Hinkle

Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, is cosponsoring legislation this session to change the "business as usual" approach when legislators craft the state's various spending plans.

"We need more accountability and more transparency in the budget process," Hinkle said.  "We can't keep doing things the same way and expect different results."

House Bill 1654 establishes a period of public and legislative review for the state's major appropriations bills.  Dubbed "The Budget Sunshine Act," it would require a five-day waiting period before either legislative body could vote on the operating, capital or transportation budgets.

"The final budget bills are usually rushed right onto the floor with many changes made on the fly," Hinkle said.  "Deciding how to spend billions of taxpayer dollars is the most important issue the Legislature deals with.  We need to make sure that lawmakers and the public have adequate access to the documents before either legislative body takes a final vote."

Hinkle said the current budget crisis underscores the need to change some fundamental flaws in how the Legislature presents the budget to the public and to policymakers.

"We have a difficult task in front of us in dealing with a $6 billion budget hole," Hinkle said.  "Every line item in this year's budget - and all subsequent budgets - needs to have exposure to the light of public scrutiny.  There is a trust that needs to be reestablished with the taxpayers.  We should be erring on the side of more transparency whenever and wherever we can."

Hinkle is also cosponsoring a balanced budget requirement with House Bill 1655 that would require the Legislature to pass a budget that lives within existing state revenues.

"It's important to me that we immediately dispel any notion of borrowing money to pay for the state's everyday operating expenses," Hinkle said.  "Our budget hole is a reported $6 billion today.  But it's very possible that number will continue to go up with the next revenue forecast in March.  As the problem gets worse, every option will be considered by the majority party.  This is one option that should be off the table.  Borrowing money to pay for everyday expenses is bad fiscal policy and would lead to more problems down the road."

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