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Statement by Rep. Alexander on Senate budget
proposal
From
Rep. Gary Alexander, R-Thurston County, who is Republican leader on the House
Appropriations Committee and budget negotiator for House Republicans,
regarding today's release of a Senate operating budget proposal:
"The operating budget proposed by the
Senate and the operating budget adopted Monday by the House are very
similar, like twin sons of different mothers. However, we're encouraged
by the two most significant differences. The Senate budget would put
money into a rainy-day fund -- a fund the Senate believes is deserving
of constitutional protection from political whims. Also, the Senate
budget would treat state employees fairly by making all pay raises
effective on the same day, instead of giving raises to union employees
two months earlier than non-union employees. Republicans originally
advocated both of these approaches, and I hope they are reflected in the
compromise budget that will be adopted by the Legislature next month.
"The proposed Senate budget spends
slightly less than the House budget, meaning the House has once again
established the high-water mark for spending at this point in the
process. And as we've seen the past two years, I expect the compromise
budget to be larger still, and less of a compromise than a compilation.
Unless the state economy goes on another hot streak, the revenue surplus
generated by two or three years of unusual growth will become a deficit
a few years from now. The Democrats talk of families, and of security,
but their budgets continue to rely on credit-card tactics and ignore the
economic warning signs. That can only put families at risk in the long
run."
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Contact: Rep. Alexander, (360) 786-7990
Eric Campbell, House Republican Communications, (360) 786-7720
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