Washington State has a $4.6 billion shortfall for the 2011-2013 budget. Below is a plan shared by a friend who made tough decisions in order to balance the budget. The services and programs they decided to cut or keep will impact the children, families and seniors of our state. What would you do?
Click here to choose your own priorities for Washington’s budget.
Notes
Washington’s Budget: Washington State operates on a two-year budget. By law, the governor must propose a balanced budget. In December 2010, Governor Chris Gregoire released the first budget proposal. The Legislature will convene on January 10, 2011 to debate and pass one budget by April that is sent to the governor for approval. Once the governor signs the budget, it will take effect on July 1, 2011.
The Budget Shortfall: Due to the economic recession, almost every state in the nation is facing a sizable budget shortfall. The recession, rising costs and more demand for state services have contributed to the $4.6 billion shortfall for Washington’s 2011-2013 budget. State lawmakers are facing difficult choices in what to fund or cut in the next budget, especially since 60 percent of the operating budget such as basic education and Medicaid is protected by state and federal requirements. Read more.
Revenue Options: Due to the passage of Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1053, the revenue and tax preference options in the “Revenue, Tax Preferences, Etc.” section would require a two-thirds vote of the Legislature for approval, or with a simple majority vote in the Legislature, be put to voters in a referendum.
Useful Links:
- Session 2011
- 2011 Report Card on Washington State Education
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Sources: Budget figures and descriptions were based on research from Governor Chris Gregoire’s December 2010 Proposed 2011-13 Budget, the news media and various policy and advocacy organizations. Special thanks to the Washington State Budget and Policy Center, Economic Opportunity Institute and Children’s Alliance.