Dear friends and neighbors,

The House and Senate majorities released their proposals for the transportation, operating and capital budgets. To view the budget proposals from the House, Senate and governor, click here. 

Operating budget

Read the House proposal here. Majority leaders propose reducing spending in the operating budget by $3.8 billion. To make up for the remainder of the $9 billion deficit, they propose to use $5 billion in one-time dollars from a combination of the federal government, dedicated accounts in the capital budget and transfers from other funds. This is irresponsible budgeting. One-time dollars should be used for one-time spending, not to fund ongoing programs and services. Serious spending reductions should be made now to help prevent a shortfall like this in the future.

Along with the one-time shifts, Democrats and special interest groups will be advocating for tax hikes. The cuts in the budgets were done, I believe, to intentionally create the most noise for tax hikes. Groups and state Democrats will likely sell a tax package as the public's opportunity to "buy back" some of the program cuts in the budget.

This week, Senate majority leaders introduced a serious proposal to impose an income tax on the most wealthy in our state. While this would only affect those earning $500,000 or more each year, I believe this proposal provides a way to expand our tax structure in the future to include an income tax on everyone.

I agree with Ronald Reagan: "Governments don't reduce deficits by raising taxes on the people; governments reduce deficits by controlling spending and stimulating new wealth."

Capital budget

As ranking Republican on the Capital Budget committee, I have been very busy in the last few weeks (and will continue to be through the end of session) being involved in discussions on the capital budget proposal.

There are many worthwhile projects included in the proposal, including several for our district:

• $18.2 million for renovation and addition of Hogue Hall at Central Washington University

• $2.5 million for Columbia Basin ground water management

• $2 million for Yakima River basin water storage feasibility study

I have several concerns with decisions made in the capital budget this year. Read the release I sent to the media here. About $218 million is set aside for habitat preservation and outdoor recreation. I am an avid supporter of preserving public lands and natural resources, but in a year when we're looking at closing our state parks, we need to look at our priorities. My priority this year for this budget was to find projects that will create jobs (especially in the private sector) to spur our economy, as well as projects that are crucial for infrastructure in our communities.

More than $780 million is proposed to be taken from dedicated accounts in the capital budget to fill part of the massive shortfall in the operating budget. To make up for it, the majority proposes to raise our debt limit on bonding in the capital budget. Shifting dollars is not sustainable or responsible budgeting.  

Boat lift fees

As you know, I introduced HB 1750, to eliminate the fee for the use of boat lifts on state-owned aquatic lands. The measure died in the House Government Appropriations Committee at the end of February. I met recently with Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark about this fee and the concerns many of you brought to me. His agency's concern is that the use of boat lifts without a fee could shift the costs of management to the general public.

He has committed to conducting a transparent scientific review and stakeholder process in which the Moses Lake community will be invited to participate. As resources allow, the Commissioner would like to work with myself and Representative Hinkle and other interested members of the Legislature to help develop a stakeholder process involving all interested parties and members of the public on this and related overwater uses of the state’s shorelines. I want you to know I will continue working on this issue and sharing your concerns with the Commissioner and his agency.