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Skinner, Ross say no to 'irresponsible' House
operating budget plan
Democrat
budget proposal would turn $2 billion surplus into deficit
Calling it "a reckless,
irresponsible proposal that puts taxpayers at risk," 14th District
lawmakers
Rep. Mary Skinner and
Rep. Charles Ross today voted against a $33.4 billion operating
budget proposed by House Democrats. The measure,
House Bill 1128, was
approved in the House of Representatives along near party lines,
62-35.
Skinner, R-Yakima, said
she's very concerned that the budget not only spends nearly the entire
$2 billion surplus, but also spends $1.3 billion more than the state is
expected to take in.
"We're fortunate now
because our economy is good. However, it's not expected to stay that
way. We have a two-billion-dollar revenue surplus that shouldn't be squandered
on new, ongoing and expensive programs. While we have the money, we need
to put some into a secure rainy day fund and pay our
existing bills, such as the unfunded liability portion of our pension
system," said Skinner. "Unfortunately, no money is saved in
the event of a
downturn in our economy. We're not even paying the interest on the
skipped payments in our pension system. And spending in the House
majority party budget proposal will turn our surplus into a deficit
within the next two to three years. That's not a responsible way to
budget."
The state operating budget
pays for K-12 public schools, human services, higher education, debt
services, prisons/corrections, pensions, natural resources, special
appropriations, and legislative, judicial and government operations.
Ross said the state
operating budget has grown 33 percent -- or $8.2 billion -- since Gov.
Christine Gregoire entered office in 2005 and Democrats took control of
the budgeting process.
"One-party rule has
its price. We heard again today, before voting, how the majority party
is 'betting' things will work out, and the economy will generate enough
revenue to keep this budget afloat," said Ross, R-Naches. "They've been
lucky the past two years because the real estate and construction
sectors have been strong, but that luck is running out, judging from the
latest state economic forecast."
Skinner and Ross are
troubled that the House Democrat budget proposal would set the state up for
future tax increases. They have also heard from local constituents who
are very concerned about the Democrats' spending spree with taxpayers'
money.
"The ugliness of this
budget won’t become apparent for a few years. These new Democrat
programs will grow and grow and grow, and in just a few years they will
need billions more in new taxes to pay the bills," said Bruce Smith,
owner of Yakima Valley Publishing, Inc. "Around here we call that
paying for things with your MasterCrat Card."
"Only government would get
an 18 percent increase in its budget and still complain," added H.E.
“Jerry” Maggard, owner/broker of Advanced Real Estate in Yakima. "It
is amazing to me that no one in power in Olympia wants to return any of
the extra two billion to the people to whom it belongs … the taxpayers.
The least they could do is squirrel away some of this windfall for a
rainy day, but that isn’t happening either. It’s very discouraging.”
Skinner and Ross said they're also concerned that the budget spends $2.2
billion on new policy additions, while Democrats do little to address
public safety. It's a concern echoed by Jar Arcand, owner of
Santiago's Gourmet Mexican Restaurant in Yakima.
"The top priority of the
state should be protecting its citizens. A two-billion-dollar surplus should
mean a lot more cops, a lot more judges and a lot more jail beds. A
two-billion-dollar surplus should mean more gang bangers and car thieves are put
away for longer periods of time," said Arcand. "A two-billion-dollar surplus
should mean safer communities, safer streets. Instead the people in
Olympia have poured that two billion dollars into more social programs and more
government employees. It’s a disgrace.”
Skinner and Ross noted the budget also expands government by
3,800 new state employees.
"That is more than double the
populations of the cities of Tieton and Naches combined. And taxpayers
are going to end up footing the bill for this extreme growth in
government," warned Skinner.
"The Democrats keep
mentioning how their budget would cover the cost of the auto theft
legislation I co-sponsored, and I agree that's a good thing," said Ross. "But
this budget is a disappointment in so many other ways, when it comes to
prioritizing government services and fiscal discipline and good
old-fashioned honesty. It's a huge gamble, and the numbers suggest it's
a bad gamble that shouldn't be taken with the taxpayers' money."
The measure now heads 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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