April 24, 2009

Ross votes against final budget proposal
'This unsustainable budget will put us in jeopardy in the future,' Ross says

The House of Representatives today passed the state operating budget, House Bill 1244, with a vote of 54-42.

Rep. Charles Ross, R-Naches, voted against the proposal, saying it was a budget that "puts off" spending and lacks a true restructuring of government priorities.

"I see no change in business as usual for our state government," Ross said. "This budget fails to adequately address education and public safety, things which are the duty of the state. In the beginning of the session, some said that the budget is a document showing our values. The values I see are protecting special interests, making people dependent on government, and putting the environment before people. Despite a recession and record unemployment, we have done little to help employers create jobs to bring back a thriving economy. I can't support irresponsible budgeting practices like this."

Ross said he is pleased the budget does not raise taxes on working families and that House Bill 2377, which would have raised sales taxes, did not move further in the process.

"The polls showed the public has no appetite for further taxation," Ross said. "Republicans heard this loud and clear from the thousands of people around the state who threw T.E.A. parties. People are being forced to live within their means, and they expect their government to do the same."

The Yakima Valley School located in Selah will be spared from budget reductions originally proposed in the governor's budget and the first Senate budget proposal.

"No budget should be balanced on the backs of the most vulnerable in our society," Ross said. "The savings did not justify the closure of a facility that so many in our community depend on for their families and for jobs. One of the core functions of state government is to care for those who can't care for themselves, and that includes residential habilitation centers."

Ross said his 'no' vote reflects the bigger picture of what the budget means for the Yakima Valley and Washington state.

"We're depending on $5 billion in one-time dollars to maintain ongoing spending in this budget. This is not only irresponsible, it's unsustainable," Ross said. "I'm afraid in two years we'll be right back where we started. On top of that, the actual spending reductions we see are not permanent reductions. These are just pauses until the state can extract more from taxpayers either with more taxes and fees, or until the economy rebounds."

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