From a quick overview by the Arlington Times. Look for more to come. I’ve edited it down to environmental issues. There are a huge list of social services cuts as well. It will be a brutal year next year, and many years to come.
I hope all you who have been screaming for smaller government will now go back to your caves. We are getting smaller government. The unintended consequences of these cuts remain to be seen, but count in less salmon, and less of everything that folks expect from our government.
http://www.arlingtontimes.com/opinion/133976768.html
The governor invited us to read the list of cuts at http://www.ofm.wa.gov. What follows is a sampling, re-worded in some cases to combine titles with effects.
Eliminate the international marketing program that helps Washington farmers and ranchers to sell crops on international markets. ($1.5 million)
Close the Samish and Nemah hatcheries which will halt production of fall Chinooks in the Samish-Nooksack region. ($1.6 million)
Reduce summer chum recovery efforts in hood Canal and Grays River along with salmon monitoring activities. ($1.2 million)
Terminate sampling of Pacific herring and sole for toxic contaminants. ($714,000)
Reduce shellfish harvest and management including seeding. A 20 percent reduction in harvest is expected. ($536,000)
Eliminate ballast water inspections for ships in Puget Sound and the Columbia River. This invites the spread of invasive species such as zebra mussels. ($352,000)
Reduce support for state parks by 10 percent. ($11.7 million)
Reduce environmental health protection that monitored water systems and on-site septic systems. ($1.3 million)
Eliminate state funds for domestic violence programs that serve about 16,700 individuals. ($9.4 million)
Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: Puget Sound |
