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House Democrats up the ante
on budget sweepstakes
Spending
plan would result in 33 percent increase in four years
State House Republicans
strongly denounced a Democrat budget proposal that would spend $1.3
billion more than the state expects to take in over the next two years.
Nevertheless, the two-year spending plan today won approval from the
Democrat-controlled House, 62-35. GOP budget negotiator
Rep. Gary Alexander and House Republican Leader Rep. Richard DeBolt said the
$33.4 billion budget is characterized by record spending with no clear
priorities for meeting the needs of Washington families.
“The money the state is using is my money,” said Jeannie Sherin, a
mother of two from Olympia who commented on how the operating budget
would affect her family. “If taxes go up, that means there will be less
for our family budget. It’s irresponsible not to have a safety cushion.
They’re saying ‘We want to spend all your money, and then we’re going to
go into your wallet again.’”
The 20th District lawmakers offered a stern warning that the $33.4
billion budget would turn the state’s $2 billion surplus into a $2
billion deficit by the end of the next budget cycle. The Democrats’
spending plan includes $2.14 billion in new or expanded programs.
“Coming into this session, I was hopeful we could set aside a
responsible share of the reserve and use the priorities of government
process to take care of the important needs of citizens,” said
Alexander, R-Olympia. “We had an opportunity to craft a budget that
takes care of our most vulnerable citizens, increases public safety,
shores up our pensions, and puts something away for a rainy day.
Instead, without the fiscal discipline provided by the priorities of
government process, this budget spends all of the state’s savings with
no tax relief and no serious attempt to control spending.”
The Republican lawmakers said the Democrat budget would result in a 33
percent increase in state spending in just four years, representing a
fundamental difference in governing between Republicans and majority
Democrats.
“This budget would increase spending at twice the rate of growth
compared to household incomes. The working families of Washington won’t
be able to afford the taxes necessary to pay for the spending in this
budget,” said DeBolt, R-Chehalis. “Aside from the immediate double-digit
spending growth, the budget uses one-time money from the state’s
reserves to pay for services with escalating, ongoing costs. You can’t
spend more money than you’re taking in. Even if our state’s economy
continues at a healthy pace, the Legislature will be forced to make cuts
in services or raise taxes in the near future.”
The budget now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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