Three veteran lawmakers in the thick of state government’s fiscal crisis predict legislative budgets heavy with program cuts, assisted with federal money and not dependent on new taxes.
Speaking at a legislative forum attended by about 75 people Thursday night at The News Tribune, Sen. Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma; Rep. Dawn Morrell, D-Puyallup; and Rep. Skip Priest, R-Federal Way, brought their perspectives on the state’s budget crisis as long-time legislators in their caucus’ leadership ranks.
Earlier in the day in Olympia they heard that this tough budget session is only getting tougher. The March revenue forecast predicts that the state’s projected budget gap has grown from about $6 billion to nearly $9 billion in three months.
The forecast provides a final revenue snapshot before House and Senate budget writers finalize their proposals, which are expected to be unveiled next week.
Morrell, who serves as House Democratic Caucus vice chairwoman, said the budget writing process has been agonizing, as decision makers make deep and sometimes painful program cuts. “My metaphor has been: You should brace yourself for landing because we’re going down into the Hudson,” she said.
Along with tough choices, the crisis is also prompting creativity, Morrell said. Instead of scrapping for new dollars, agencies are coming up with ideas to improve efficiencies that might go unexamined in a more flush year.
Legislators are grateful for an influx of stabilization dollars from the federal government – “Obama Claus,” as Priest put it. The state is counting on about $3 billion that will help stave off some of the cuts. But much of the money is earmarked for specific programs and comes with strings attached, Regala said.
“It certainly is not the solution,” she said. “We’re still going to have to write a really tough budget.”
Despite speculation that leaders are working on a tax package in concert with the budget, Morrell and Regala said to expect an “all cuts” budget from the Legislature not relying on possible new money. Any tax increase would need a two-thirds vote – then would have to go in front of skeptical voters.
“If you’re going to set a foundation for the future, we can’t afford to raise taxes now,” Priest said.
John Henrikson: 253-597-8651
blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics
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