Today’s news, that the state will take in millions less than anticipated, and the fact that many of you, dear taxpayers, have turned down any future tax increases, means that there will be some brutal decisions in the next six months. The budget is going to have to be reduced 11% more than the government thought just a month ago.
In a statement on the widening revenue gap, Governor Gregoire said: “Quite frankly we can’t cut any deeper without ending significant programs. Extremely difficult choices must be made and given this sharp revenue decline, they must be made now. ..Further across the board cuts, which would add 4.6 percent to the 6.3 percent reductions I ordered last month, are not feasible.” Saying that she’d given legislative leadership until November 29 to return to her with “options,” Gregoire fell short of calling for a special legislative session: “The Legislature will need to act quickly–delay will only deepen the problem and limit the options.”
The Governor already has issued an executive order to Labor and Industries, Revenue, and Employment Security to stop adding any rules to the current fiscal year. But yesterday the Governor went further:
According to the Seattle Times:
Gregoire signed the order Wednesday and says the action will “provide businesses with stability and predictability they need to help with our state’s recovery.”
The order directs state agencies to suspend all non-critical rule making through Dec. 31, 2011. There are several exemptions, including rules required by federal or state law, court order, or necessary to protect health and public safety.
The governor’s policy office says things like updates to solid waste disposal and recycling rules would be things considered non-critical, but others, like the opening and closing of fishing season will continue.
It will be interesting to see what exactly this will effect.
But getting back to the beginning, what will the shortfall mean to everything you hold dear? Let’s ponder: Environmental protection, road upgrades, state support of almost every conceivable non essential service is included. Think state parks, local health services, mental health, schools, state ferries, funding of groups like Centrum, it’s all on the table.
If you value these state services it’s now time for you to step up, and call your legislators, to demand protection of our services. And I think you will need to open your pockets even more than you have to save these programs. I think that it’s going to be far worse that we imagine. . You can’t sit back and pretend someone else will do it. We need every voice now, or the landscape of our communities will be incredibly reduced over the next year. Your pet project may be next.
Filed under: Government |
