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Rep. Norma Smith comments on
House capital budget
proposal
'Raiding this budget to fill gaps in the state
operating budget is shortsighted and sets a dangerous financial
precedent,' says Smith
The
Washington State House of Representatives today released its proposal
for the two-year
capital budget.
Capital Budget Committee member
Rep. Norma Smith, R-Clinton, had this to say about it:
"I am a
supporter of our capital budget because, in the past, it has ensured we take care
of and update our state's critical infrastructure, like schools, water
systems and higher education facilities. While there are some great
projects in the budget released today, I have serious concerns about budget
writers
diverting the balances of a number of capital budget accounts, totaling
$780 million, to the state operating budget.
"The capital budget provides dollars for the
construction of hospitals, sewage and water systems, and our schools in communities
statewide. The budgeting scheme put forward today would take from
several of the dedicated accounts in the capital budget, including $368
million from the Public Works Assistance Account. Taking these dollars
away from viable projects that would create jobs is unwise in this economy.
"Raiding
this budget to fill
gaps in the state operating budget is shortsighted and sets a dangerous
financial precedent. Projects were promised to fee-payers and taxpayers
who funded this budget's accounts, and those commitments should be kept.
"This
budget also proposes to spend tens of millions of dollars to purchase more
state land. While I appreciate our excellent environmental stewardship, at a time when we cannot afford to maintain the parks we
have, we need a serious review of the land acquisitions in this
proposal. Let's take care of the parks
and land we have now so our families can use and enjoy them,
and prevent the economic consequences to our local communities if they
are closed.
"This proposal to raise the bonding authority would
increase the dollars in the capital budget, while having the same effect
as raising a credit limit.
"We
simply cannot afford to continue shifting money around in ways that are
not sustainable or productive. By taking these one-time monies dedicated
to certain capital projects and using the money to pay
for ongoing state operating costs and programs, we set our state up for
the same budget problems we face now, only larger, in the next budget.
"My hope
is House and Senate leaders will restructure the capital budget to ensure the
funds are used to
create
jobs through building
schools, upgrading critical local infrastructure and maintaining our
parks."
Of the
$780 million in capital projects accounts emptied into the state operating
budget, here are some of the largest:
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Public Works Assistance Account/Trust Fund: $368 million
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School Construction Account/Lottery: $182.4 million
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Local Toxics Account: $69.5 million
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Water Quality Account: $28.6 million
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Community & Technical College Construction Account: $18.5 million
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7252
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