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Bailey opposes 'fiscally irresponsible' House
spending plan
Operating budget proposal would spend $2 billion surplus
into a deficit by 2010
Rep.
Barbara Bailey says a $33.5 billion operating budget bill approved today by
the House of Representatives, 62-35, would spend most of the state's
surplus on new programs, ignores future costs of the state's pension
system, and sets the state spiraling into a deficit by 2010. The Oak
Harbor Republican voted against the budget measure,
House Bill 1128.
"This is an unsustainable,
fiscally irresponsible budget that spends for the moment and fails to
plan for the future. It adds $2.2 billion of new government policy
programs and spends $1.3 billion more than we will take in," said
Bailey.
"We should have taken that $2 billion surplus and applied it to
paying down our bills, such as the unfunded liability of the state’s
pension system. We also should have provided a secure rainy day fund to
protect taxpayers from future downturns in the economy. This budget does
neither," noted Bailey. "Instead, this majority party spending spree will send us
hurtling toward a budget deficit within two to three years."
Bailey said many
constituents in the 10th District are also very concerned about the
direction of the House majority party's budget, including Tom
Nichols, owner of Smokey Point Wood Windows in Marysville.
"It’s 18 percent higher
than the previous budget. It’s ill-advised and irresponsible. The Democrats have come up with new
programs that are being funded by this surplus. And so when this surplus
is gone – which it will be – then they’re going to be searching for more
money," said Nichols. "Why are we going through this $2 billion surplus
to end up in a deficit? Where is the sense? Why would you do that?"
Nichols noted that if he
ran his company budget like state government, he'd be out of business
in no time.
"We are very fortunate to
have the good economy that we have. But if you look around at other
states, Washington is more like an island than people realize. And I
don’t think our economy is going to stay this way," added Nichols.
"They’re going to hand the mess to us, the taxpayers. You wonder what
you can do. When you see a collision coming, you steer to the other
side, right? Here we are, we’re going down this road, and it’s like
we’re steering into a head-on collision and we’ve got smiles on our
faces. It’s insanity."
Bailey noted that the
budget proposal provides for significant expansion of state government.
"This spending plan would
add 3,800 new state employees. That's nearly an
entire city of new government employees -- larger than the combined
populations of Coupeville, Langley and La Conner -- and would include
all of their salaries, pensions and other associated costs," said Bailey.
The measure has been sent
to the Senate for further consideration.
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For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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