House budget and revenue package released. What do you think?
The House Democratic leadership released the state budget and revenue package today. There are a number of links to data here, here and here.
We are living in extrarodinary times. I have long said that I will not vote for another all cuts budget, but I will also not vote for a timid budget that fails to embrace the need for courageous honesty about our state’s condition.
There are some pieces of this budget that I appreciate and some that are unlikely to materialize (such as the assumptions for more than $700 million in federal funds).
I include myself in a group of Legislators who have made a clear statement that it is my strong preference not to vote for a general sales tax increase. In King County, this would put us above the 10% rate, something I do not support. While I have some substantial concerns about some aspects of the revenue package that was released today, and I am fighting to reduce the adverse impact upon some key areas, I do want to be clear that I feel closing tax loopholes is a central priority. We have a patchwork tax structure and we should do much better to equalize revenues across the spectrum.
I am open to a vigorous, thoughtful, gracious and purposeful conversation about our budget and revenues. What do you like and what do you feel is off base?
Please reach out and share your views.
Your partner in service,
Reuven.
I’d like to see the Legislature tackle comprehensive reform of our tax system with the nonpartisan Gates Commission recommendations as its starting point. Our current tax system is a sad, regressive joke that begs for the kind of “systems reform” you’ve called for. http://dor.wa.gov/content/aboutus/statisticsandreports/wataxstudy/final_report.htm
I appreciate you keeping away from an overall sales tax increase.
But..(there’s always a but, right?)
I’m wondering how the tax exemption reform will affect commerce between Washington businesses and businesses out of state. Aren’t we possibly endangering jobs with this kind of effort?
Also, you never took me up on one of my proposal from Twitter-
Since we are suspending voter-backed initiatives in “times of crisis”, how about sponsoring a Bill that would “temporarily” CUT Legislators’ pay for the fiscal year that we have this “financial crisis”??? Man, now THERE is something we could ALL sink our teeth into.
AAANNDD….it would satiate you and the rest of the “fair police” in Oly!!
A good natured ribbin’, Reuven, but if you really want to talk “fair”, put your money where your mouth is. Literally. Let’s get a bill like this crackin’!
I am deeply concerned by the out of control spending by Washinton state legislators. You continue to fund sweetheart deals for state union workers including pensions, cost of living increases and healthcare benefits. All this, while private sector workers pay for a significant portion of their healthcare costs, have no pensions but 401K plans which have lost a significant portion of value, declining incomes and high unemployment. It is unconsciable that state worlers continue to enjoy better pay, benefits and job security than the electorate that pay for the whole scheme.
It is about time you and your fellow legislators to focuss on eliminating the waste in Olympia, just like private sector workers have had to do in the face of the worst recession since the great depression. When my income drops, I cut back for example I cancelled my gym membership, cancelled DirecTV, stopped eating out at restaurants and started shopping at Costco rather than local grocery stores.
We need to focus on creating the right economic conditions to encourage job growth by reducing bureacracy, redcuing the cost of doing business and creating incentives for hard work and job creation. It is time to stop business as usual in Olympia.
@QARunner: exactly, QA. I, myself, canceled Cable this month and pledge to eat Ramen a couple times a week.
The disgusting thing is, we cut back, but the State demands more. AND WHO PAYS IT??? We do!
The blue-collar, hard-working middle class will ALWAYS be punished for ouraccountability, and in our current situation with our (ahem) Representatives, we will even be punished when we show restraint and exhibit thrift to get by. If they don’t get enough sales tax from us when we try and save, they will just find a way to create more taxes, EVEN WHEN WE HAVE TRIED TO PUT LIMITS ON THEM TO DO SUCH A THING.
It’s unbelievable.
Those of you that DON’T think this is TYRANNY, go back and read about the inception of this Great Nation.
Look at all that paper! Don’t you all have laptops you can read this on? =)
Thank you for all your hard work, Reuven. Still quite a bit to go!