Gregoire: Restore Tough Cuts

In her state of the state address Tuesday, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire urged lawmakers to consider new revenue to protect key programs.

In December, Gregoire proposed a no-new-revenue supplemental budget for fiscal 2011 that would close a $2.6 billion shortfall through acts such as the elimination of the state’s health care plans for low-income families and children.

Gregoire Tuesday asked the Legislature to consider new revenue to restore $750 million to support key programs in education, public safety and health care.

“The December budget I presented was balanced, and it certainly sets new, and admittedly untenable, policy directions,” she said. “But the balanced budget also would force us to abandon the values that define this state — fairness and compassion.”

Gregoire is a Democrat, as are the majority of state lawmakers.

“The road to recovery and a bright economic future also starts with us effectively managing our budget crisis,” she said, adding that the state has good financial management tools in place.

“Our creation of a rainy-day fund worked exactly as it was intended and helped prepare us for this current, dreadfully rainy day,” she said. “That step and others helped improve our bond rating. As a result, we are getting the best bond rates in 30 years, and that translates into getting more for every dollar we spend — and more construction projects and jobs.”

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