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Unprecedented state spending
worries Walsh
16th District lawmaker votes against state
supplemental budget
The Washington State House of Representatives voted on party lines today
in passing a supplemental budget that will result in unprecedented state
spending at a time when state revenue is not keeping pace.
Rep. Maureen Walsh,
R-College Place, joined House Republicans in voting against the bill
explaining it would be the largest spending increase in state history
and have an adverse effect on the next budget cycle beginning in 2007.
“The majority party is spending more money than the state has coming in
for revenue. This is going to lead to big problems when we write our
next budget,” said Walsh. “I have concerns we could be in the red by a
half billion dollars next year and there may be attempts to increase
taxes. This is not good for our economy – or the hard-working families
of this state.”
The supplemental budget is typically for minor, mid-course adjustment to
the state’s two-year operating budget. The majority party has taken the
process a step further this year with several new “policy additions”
that go beyond normal adjustments.
“At a time when state government revenues are growing based largely on a
hot real estate market that will eventually cool, it’s not a good idea
to increase spending beyond this margin. It is quite apparent this is
not sustainable over time,” said Walsh. “I support the money
appropriated to fund the proposed Department of Early Learning, WASL
remediation, the shortage in nursing home rates, increasing education
enrollment, and other vital state services, but there are also a lot of
questionable expenditures in this budget we could cut out as we look for
sustainability in the future.”
The House supplemental budget also leaves less than 1 percent in state
reserves – a low amount that worries a lot of Republican lawmakers,
including Walsh.
“With this increased spending comes a dwindling reserve account – in
fact, it totals less than 1 percent of the budget,” said Walsh.
“Government should lead by example and have prudent reserves in case of
emergencies. This is especially important when you consider our state is
susceptible to wildfires, droughts, flooding, and other potential
disasters nature has to offer.”
Unprecedented increases in state spending since last year have led House
Republicans to propose a “Truth in Budgeting” legislative concept. The
comprehensive package would give taxpayers a better understanding of the
state budget process and put mechanisms in place to curb excessive
spending of their tax dollars.
“We need a process that guarantees spending limits, requires a safe
amount in reserves and allows the public to be engaged in the process,”
said Walsh. “I’d have to believe that a vast majority of taxpayers would
embrace our ‘Truth in Budgeting’ concept if they learned more about it.
It’s time to put government on a real budget.”
The legislative session began on January 9 and is scheduled to run 60
days.
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For more information, contact:
Sarah Lamb, Public Information
Officer - (360) 786-7720
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