Gregoire proposes deep budget cuts

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Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, responding to a massive budget gap of $4.6 billion and public sentiment against tax hikes, is proposing a $32 billion two-year state budget that slashes virtually every segment of state spending. The governor recommended eliminating some of her favorite programs, including health coverage for the working poor, tax support of state parks, Disability Lifeline grants, Children's Health Program, class-size reduction in K-4, and more. She proposed shuttering the history museums in Tacoma and Spokane and freezing voter-approved initiatives for annual teacher pay hikes and class-size reduction. She proposed closing McNeil Island prison and Maple Lane reform school for youth. She said taxes are off the table, but that the Parks and Recreation Commission will have to figure out a way to make user-fees pick up the cost of running the 100 state parks, possibly a $10 annual decal. She said 10 percent ferry hikes and reduced service will be required. She proposed giving colleges authority to jack up tuition by as much as 11 percent per year. She and Secretary of State Sam Reed proposed suspending the scheduled presidential primary in 2012, to save $10 million. Gregoire said the cuts were "ugly" and reprehensible, but unavoidable. The gap is due to plummeting revenue projections, voter cancellation of the pop tax, and soaring demand for public services for the poor and out-of-work, she said. The Democratic governor said it was unthinkable that she would be presiding over the dismantling of the social safety net and education and health programs she has long championed. She added:

"In any other time, I would not sign this budget. ... We have had to cut the unthinkable to prevent the unbearable. ... I hate my budget. In some places, I don't even think it's moral."

The governor previously announced health care and pension cuts, furloughs/pay cuts for state employees, and reorganization of a number of agencies, boards and commissions. Her plan now goes to the Legislature, where her fellow Democrats control both chambers. The session convenes on Jan. 10. Lawmakers held a one-day special session last Saturday to trim hundreds of millions from the current budget, and Gregoire says she'll have more cuts to propose on Friday. The current biennium ends on June 30, and the new budget cycle will begin July 1.