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Statement from Rep. Ed Orcutt on today's forecasted decline in state
revenue
“I was asked if we can
balance the state budget without raising taxes. My answer is we have to.
When the slowing of consumer spending is driving our revenue problem,
the last thing we want to do is take more money out of the pockets of
hard-working Washingtonians. Taxpayers did not get the state into its
budget problem, nor should they be expected to bail it out.
“When state lawmakers convene in January, our first priority must be
balancing the current 2007-09 budget which is in the red. Budget-writers
need to start working now, prior to the legislative session, to develop
proposals to solve this immediate problem.
“House Republicans look forward to offering balanced solutions that are
rooted in responsible state spending and defining the core functions of
state government – ones which must be accomplished with no new taxes. We
can no longer create new programs and services we want. Instead, we must
focus our state spending on those people who have real needs.”
Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, is a member of the Washington State Economic
and Revenue Forecast Council and the ranking Republican on the House
Finance Committee.
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For more information, contact:
John Handy, Public
Information Officer: (360) 786-5758
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