March 31, 2009

Ross comments on operating budget proposals

Rep. Charles Ross, R-Naches, member of the House Ways and Means Committee, released this statement today about the House Democrats' operating budget proposal:

"During a recession and facing a $9 billion budget deficit, I'm shocked to see we are still spending more money. Families and employers are doing more with less as they try to survive this economic downturn, but the majority party in our Legislature can't manage government to do the same.

"We are spending on borrowed time and borrowed money. The next budget is balanced by depending on almost $5 billion in one-time dollars. Where will we be in two years? This budget hopes for another housing boom to continue an irresponsible level of spending.

"The Yakima Valley School is hanging in the balance as the Senate proposes to close the school, while the House proposes to keep it open. Putting out our most vulnerable from a high-care facility is not the way to solve our budget problems.

"We will hear about an all-cuts budget from the majority party, but this language is used simply to lead up to a tax increase request. The Senate budget focuses on deep cuts to education, while the House budget focuses on health and human services reductions.

"The doom and gloom is unnecessary, and quite useless. The Legislature should be rolling up its sleeves and figuring out how to solve a $9 billion budget shortfall by restructuring government and preventing this problem in the future. This is why the people sent us here - to decide what to do with every one of their hard-earned tax dollars.

"Many state employees will lose their jobs, and that's terrible. It's time for government to stop trying to be a job-creator with taxpayer dollars and look for ways to encourage economic activity outside of itself."

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