Published: Sunday, February 22, 2009
STATE BUDGET CRISIS
Time for lawmakers to lead
With the state budget gap now beyond $8 billion and widening, the buzz in Olympia is all about an inevitable public vote on tax increases to help close it.
Such talk, which the Legislature's Democratic leadership is doing nothing to quell, is premature and probably unrealistic. And, we'd argue, unwise.
Yes, the shortfall is enormous. No, there's no way to slash roughly a quarter of the state operating budget without inflicting serious, if temporary, pain. But wringing more money out of families and businesses that are already tapped out risks further dampening economic activity, delaying recovery and prolonging the hit to state revenues. It's a cycle best avoided.
Besides, voter approval of tax increases in this economic environment may be a longer shot than the Huskies winning the Rose Bowl next year. People and businesses are hurting, and while many are still doing what they can to help those in worse straits, good luck convincing voters to include state government on their list of favorite charities.
Legislative leaders say they'll write a budget that doesn't include tax hikes, and assess their options if it's deemed unacceptable. Lawmakers have the power to go over the head of Gov. Chris Gregoire, who has steadfastly opposed tax increases as job killers, and appeal directly to voters for more revenue. Reportedly, they're considering putting up particular programs -- say, health care for low-income workers or K-12 class-size reduction -- and asking voters whether they're willing to pay for them. Backers of such programs would have to organize campaigns, which in some areas could end up competing with school levies or other local measures. That's an ugly prospect.
Legislators need to step up and make the tough decisions themselves. There aren't going to be winners in this budget, and holding out false hope would be an abrogation of leadership -- just when it's needed the most.
The sooner lawmakers face these tough choices and make decisions, the better. They know roughly what the state can expect from the federal stimulus package, and they know the next official revenue forecast in March will be down again. There's no reason to wait.
They should start by finishing the work they started last week and balancing the budget for the remainder of the current biennium, which ends in June. The quicker those cuts are made, the more headway will be gained in closing the 2009-2011 gap.
The recession is putting many important priorities and investments on hold for families and businesses, and they're adjusting to that reality. State government must do the same.
Such talk, which the Legislature's Democratic leadership is doing nothing to quell, is premature and probably unrealistic. And, we'd argue, unwise.
Yes, the shortfall is enormous. No, there's no way to slash roughly a quarter of the state operating budget without inflicting serious, if temporary, pain. But wringing more money out of families and businesses that are already tapped out risks further dampening economic activity, delaying recovery and prolonging the hit to state revenues. It's a cycle best avoided.
Besides, voter approval of tax increases in this economic environment may be a longer shot than the Huskies winning the Rose Bowl next year. People and businesses are hurting, and while many are still doing what they can to help those in worse straits, good luck convincing voters to include state government on their list of favorite charities.
Legislative leaders say they'll write a budget that doesn't include tax hikes, and assess their options if it's deemed unacceptable. Lawmakers have the power to go over the head of Gov. Chris Gregoire, who has steadfastly opposed tax increases as job killers, and appeal directly to voters for more revenue. Reportedly, they're considering putting up particular programs -- say, health care for low-income workers or K-12 class-size reduction -- and asking voters whether they're willing to pay for them. Backers of such programs would have to organize campaigns, which in some areas could end up competing with school levies or other local measures. That's an ugly prospect.
Legislators need to step up and make the tough decisions themselves. There aren't going to be winners in this budget, and holding out false hope would be an abrogation of leadership -- just when it's needed the most.
The sooner lawmakers face these tough choices and make decisions, the better. They know roughly what the state can expect from the federal stimulus package, and they know the next official revenue forecast in March will be down again. There's no reason to wait.
They should start by finishing the work they started last week and balancing the budget for the remainder of the current biennium, which ends in June. The quicker those cuts are made, the more headway will be gained in closing the 2009-2011 gap.
The recession is putting many important priorities and investments on hold for families and businesses, and they're adjusting to that reality. State government must do the same.
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