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Eleventh-hour budget decision
slights veterans,
highlights need for 'Truth in Budgeting'
Rep. Doug Ericksen,
R-Ferndale, is concerned the public is being shut out of government
decisions and is helping lead a charge for a new concept called “Truth
in Budgeting.”
Ericksen believes recent last-second budget decisions outside of the
public’s view highlight the need for change. In one instance, an
Ericksen amendment that would have studied providing veteran health
services at non-VA facilities using a voucher system was stripped out of
the state budget after being agreed-upon initially through a House
roll-call vote.
“This was a very important issue for veterans and it’s hard to
understand why Democrats would take it out of the budget. And I don’t
think anyone appreciates the way it was done either – at the last
second, without any input from people who represent veterans. I’m
worried what message is sent when this happens,” said Ericksen. “The
bottom line is there are too many decisions being made in state
government behind closed doors, out of the public’s view, and it’s
disconcerting.”
In another case, with no public scrutiny or input, Democrats took out an
agreed-upon amendment in the state budget that prohibited the use of
Medicaid dollars for sex changes.
“I think a reasonable person would agree that their tax dollars
shouldn’t pay for this type of procedure,” said Ericksen. “It’s a
perfect example why our state needs budgeting safeguards in place – what
we are calling a ‘Truth in Budgeting’ package.”
The Republicans’ “Truth in
Budgeting” package includes:
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A “Sunshine Law” that
would require a seven-day period from the time a budget is proposed
to the time it can be passed out of the chamber of origin;
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Constitutional
spending limits;
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A secure reserve fund
to ensure savings for a “rainy day”;
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A constitutional 60
percent vote requirement to raise taxes to ensure bipartisan
approval;
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Making budgets more
understandable to the media and public.
“Truth in Budgeting” is
part of a Republican plan unveiled before the legislative session called
the Commitment to Washington. For more information on Commitment to
Washington visit: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/priorities.htm.
The 60-day legislative session ended March 9.
# # #
For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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