| |
Statement from Rep. Doug
Ericksen
on governor’s double-digit spending increase:
“I’m alarmed by the lack
of fiscal discipline and the pattern of free spending that have become
commonplace in Olympia. The governor’s budget proposal released
yesterday would increase spending in the state operating budget to $33
billion. That’s $8.2 billion more than the state was spending in the
operating budget when she took office two years ago – a 33 percent
increase. Despite a good economic run and healthy revenues during that
period, the governor and Democrat-controlled Legislature have raised
taxes by $407 million to cover their expenditures. And still the
governor’s budget will spend more than we can afford, creating a $653
million deficit by the next budget cycle.
“What concerns me most is the manner in which the taxpayers’ money is
handled in recent budgets to create the illusion that spending is not
increasing as fast is it is. What was once a general fund operating
budget has become a maze of various accounts into which taxpayer money
is transferred and spent. In addition to the state’s general fund, there
are now at least seven other accounts where taxpayer money is deposited
or transferred, and used to pay for traditional general fund services,
such as education, health care, pensions and public safety. This budget
approach is irresponsible. It makes it very difficult for lawmakers, let
alone taxpayers, to understand how much state government is actually
spending. And that diminishes accountability.
“That’s why Republicans are again proposing a “Truth in Budgeting”
package. It is a series of budget reforms designed to put constraints on
taxes and spending, similar to what voters asked for when they passed
Initiative 601, and to restore transparency in the way government spends
the taxpayers’ money.
“Our plan calls for a constitutional spending limit and rainy-day fund
to stop the double-digit budget growth we’re now experiencing. It would
require a 60 percent supermajority vote of the Legislature to raise
taxes. It would eliminate the laundry list of dedicated funds where
money is transferred and spent almost without notice. And it would enact
a Sunshine Law, requiring a seven-day wait between the time a budget is
proposed and the time it can be passed by the Legislature. This will
give the public time to understand the budget and respond to their
elected officials about how their money is being spent.”
# # #
|
|