"Wash. Legislature passes budget proposal"

Rachel LaCorte (AP):

Sen. Ed Murray, Senate Democrats' lead budget writer, lauded the fact that lawmakers didn't make cuts to K-12 or higher education, as they have in past budgets.

"That's key," he said following the vote.MORE...

WA: "The Bullshit Budget Debate"

Goldy (The Stranger):

Two quick comments on the Seattle Times editorial board's latest call for legislators to balance the state budget by slashing pension benefits for state workers: 1) The Blethens can't manage their own fucking pension, let alone advise others; and 2) The editors' insistence that slashing pensions sets our state on a "sustainable path" suggests that they are either idiots or liars.

The only reform that can possibly set our state budget on a sustainable path is tax reform. We've been slashing spending for years, and still the budget gap grows. Not even an economic recovery can set things right again, because in the long run we have a tax structure that over-relies on taxing a base—the sale of goods—that has been steadily shrinking as a portion of the overall economy for more than a half-century. And as state revenue shrinks as a portion of the state economy, so does its ability to meet demand for state services at a constant level. It's simple math.

I'm not suggesting that we shouldn't have a debate over pensions and other priorities and reform, but until we're willing to put revenue back on the table, the entire budget debate is bullshit.

Howie P.S.: Sometimes political issues are just this simple to understand.

WA: "Lives on the Line-Why Democrats Need to Stop the State GOP's Terrifying Budget"

Goldy (The Stranger):

Why Democrats Need to Stop the State GOP's Terrifying Budget---Political writers tend to characterize the budget battle in Olympia as yet another partisan struggle between Republicans and Democrats, but as in most wars, it's the civilian noncombatants who inevitably suffer the most devastating casualties. MORE...

Goldy Goes Wonky to Explain Why WA Has A Budget Problem

Goldy (SLOG):

Washington is the most sales tax reliant state in the nation, with the general sales tax accounting for 45 percent of state revenue, over 58 percent when you throw in taxes on gasoline, alcohol, and tobacco. Yet as the Washington State Budget & Policy Center chart above shows, taxable retail sales is steadily shrinking as a percentage of personal income, and thus as a percentage of the state economy as a whole.

That means state tax revenue is steadily shrinking as a percentage of the state economy, and with it, our ability to provide public services at constant levels. MORE...

John Burbank on WA gov't.: On providing quality public services, ‘we have met the enemy and he is us’

John Burbank (The Stand):

Back in the 1960s, there was a comic strip named Pogo. One of the most insightful strips was a distilled discussion of human foibles, in which Pogo announced, “We have met the enemy and he is us!”

When it comes to the national debate over the 99% vs. 1%, we may not like the growing chasm between corporate elites and the rest of us — but we’ve sure made it easy for them to keep it that way.

Take our own state. Our state will become $25 billion wealthier over the next two years (that’s how much our economy will grow). And yet for some reason, we can’t seem to find enough funding to keep up with public priorities. So we will likely see tuition at Everett Community College break the $4,000 mark, and the University of Washington will probably charge over $12,000. Class sizes in elementary school will top 30 kids or more. More people will be kicked off of Basic Health, right at the time when even more low-wage working people need health insurance. MORE...

BEST of 2011: "Thousands of protesters gather on Friday, April 8, 2011 on the State Capitol Campus in Olympia" (photo)

"Thousands of protesters gather on Friday, April 8, 2011 on the State Capitol Campus in Olympia. A crowd estimated by the Washington State Patrol at around 7,000 people gathered on the steps of the Capitol to protest for an end to corporate tax breaks and cuts to public programs." JOSHUA TRUJILLO / SEATTLEPI.COM. (CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE)

Memo to Olympia: "How to Close Washington's Budget Gap"

Keegan Hamilton (Seattle Weekly):

Occupy protestors are laying siege to Olympia, demanding that lawmakers close the state's $2 billion budget deficit by taxing Washington's richest residents. An income tax is out of the question for the special legislative session, but a pair of policy experts say there are other ways to make the 1 percent pay their fair share. MORE...

"Washington State Democrats Hope Voters Have New Attitude on Taxes"

"Students protested education cuts at Seattle City Hall on Wednesday. The governor wants to “buy back” many of the reductions."

William Yardley (NY Times):

OLYMPIA, Wash. — A strange sound rang out from the Senate Democratic caucus meeting at the State Capitol here this week.

“We broke into applause,” said Senator Derek Kilmer of Gig Harbor. “There hasn’t been a lot of applause in caucus in the last few years.”

There may not be much more anytime soon. The applause was for the news that Boeing and union machinists, long at odds, had reached a sweeping agreement to mend their differences and build the new 737 Max airplane here in the Puget Sound region. The deal would mean thousands of jobs for years to come, yet it was no antidote for the pressing problem the caucus had to address. It would not balance the budget.

After cutting $10 billion over the past three years, including trimming higher education spending by half, slicing health care programs and streamlining state agencies, lawmakers and the 6.7 million residents of Washington State have been rewarded for their sacrifices with more bad news: The state has another enormous budget deficit.

“I can’t take it anymore,” said Gov. Christine Gregoire, a Democrat. “I sure hope that’s where the people of the State of Washington are.”

So now, facing a budget gap of nearly $2 billion and more bleak revenue forecasts, Ms. Gregoire and some Democratic leaders say they will seek the same solution they have in the past: To raise taxes.

The question is whether, this time, voters will actually let them. MORE...

"Washington is 49th in the nation in class size."

Jadzia Imani (SignOn.org):

Say "NO" to gutting WA State Public Education---To be delivered to: The Washington State House, The Washington State Senate and Governor Christine Gregoire
Stop the cutbacks to Washington state public education. Find another way to make up for the shortfall in the state budget. Sign the petition here. MORE...

WA: "Special session to deal with billion-dollar deficit to begin Nov. 28"

Chris Grygiel (SeattlePI.com):

Sens. Lisa Brown and Ed Murray, the Democratic majority leader and budget panel chairman, released a statement urged their colleagues not to “draw a line in the sand.”

“Over three years, we have reduced public service levels across the board, from support for kindergarten education to supervision of offenders in our communities. As we approach special session, we must recognize that more cuts – however necessary mathematically – will impact Washingtonians, their families and their communities. As legislators, we have many tools for balancing our budget – including giving the voters the option of approving new revenue to pay for the services they want. We strongly encourage our colleagues in both parties, in the House and Senate, to avoid drawing lines in the sand and instead to arrive in Olympia in November prepared to offer solutions and to be ready to discuss all the possibilities.” MORE...

Gregoire and the Legislature (WA): "Cuts, not closings, used to close budget hole"

The Olympian (WA):

Last December, when an emotional Gov. Chris Gregoire announced a budget proposal even she said she hated, she proposed to lop whole limbs from government.

Largely, lawmakers didn’t take her up on the idea.

“I think the governor wanted to terminate; we were able to cut back,” said Sen. Steve Conway, a Tacoma Democrat who said the partial cuts would allow programs to rebound once the economy does.

Others, mostly Republicans, wanted the Legislature to make more permanent changes instead of “trying to continue to do everything at a lower level,” Rep. Bruce Dammeier said. “We are saying we need to prioritize for the future, which means we need to jettison some of the things,” the Puyallup Republican said.

Much remains to be decided on the state budget – eyes and ears are tuned to the special session of the Legislature that opens Tuesday and could run 30 days. The House and Senate spending plans both contain deep cuts to schools, services and the social safety net. But unlike Gregoire’s plan, neither of them would:

• Mothball the state history museums in Tacoma, Olympia and Spokane.

• End aid to people whose disabilities have left them temporarily out of work.

• Eliminate the program that subsidizes health insurance coverage for working adults who can’t afford it.

• Cut kids whose parents don’t prove their legal residency off of the rolls of children’s health insurance.

• Completely suspend bonuses for nationally certified teachers.

• Remove 3-year-olds from state-funded preschool. MORE...

WA: "We Are One! Put People First!" Rally (with video)

Tube3HA, video (03:40):

10,000 rally at state capitol in Olympia WA to protest all-cuts budget that does not close special interest tax loopholes.

Howie P.S.: Wisconsin State Senator Spencer Coggs addressed the rally.

"Labor Battles Hit Washington State: Protesters Demand Legislature Close Corporate Tax Loopholes" (with video)

Amanda Terkel (HuffPo), with video (09:28):

Inspired by the uprising in Wisconsin over workers' rights, Washington state residents have turned out at the state Capitol this week to protest deep budget cuts the legislature is considering to address a looming $5 billion deficit.

The protesters are arguing the state should close tax loopholes for corporations and wealthy individuals before cutting valuable public services. Organizers are expecting anywhere from 4,000-6,000 people on Friday and said it could end up as one of the largest protests in the state in years.

"The main message is directed at the legislature," said Tim Welch, spokesman for the Washington Federation of State Employees. "Budget cuts are going so deep and we're cutting so deeply into the safety net that we really want them to consider closing several billion in closing tax loopholes. We just don't think it makes sense to give big tax breaks to banks and to those who own private jets...when you've got potentially more slots closing up at state colleges and universities." MORE...

AP: "13 arrested at Wash. Capitol budget demonstrations"

Robin Hindery (AP):

Around 5 p.m., the Department of General Administration and police decided to restrict access the building to lawmakers, staff and lobbyists, Valandra said. A small group of protesters continued to demonstrate outside the building.

"We made a decision that it was in the best interest of the security and safety of the building tonight," Valandra said, adding that it was the first time in his 11-year tenure that he recalled the building being closed to the public.

The move drew criticism from Democratic leaders in the state Senate, who said they were not consulted beforehand and disagreed with the decision. Lawmakers decided to hold off resuming the Senate floor session until the building was reopened to the public, said Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown.
(SNIP)
This week's protests are scheduled to culminate in a major rally Friday that is expected to draw several thousand people.

The Washington State Labor Council, which helped organize the protests, posted an announcement on its website calling Friday's event "the big one."

"Washington's working families are tired of being blamed and punished for the damage done by Wall Street banks and corporations," the group said, urging citizens to join its call to lawmakers to "put people first."

If Friday's crowd swells to the size organizers are predicting, the protest could be the largest at the Capitol in recent years. In 2003, tens of thousands of Washington teachers gathered to protest cuts to education funding. MORE...

Howie P.S.: Follow today's activities on SLOG with live reports from Goldy on the continuing saga of "#pizzagate."

WA: No Pizzas Allowed in Olympia Budget Protest (with video)

David Goldstein (SLOG) with video (00:23):

I was just on the phone with local MoveOn coordinator Sandra VanderVen, calling from the Capitol rotunda in Olympia, when she suddenly hung up. A few minutes later she sent me this text:

Sorry I had to cut you off. Preparing for arrest.

According to Sandra, hundreds of demonstrators have occupied the building in protest of the state budget, vowing not to leave. Shortly after the protest's scheduled start there were already 40 or so sleeping bags laid out on the rotunda floor, with more protesters arriving.

I'll update as I get more details.

UPDATE: Heard back from Sandra, no arrests yet, though they're not convinced that won't eventually happen. Pictures coming.

UPDATE, UPDATE: No arrests, but state troopers are not letting their pizzas be delivered. How lame can you get?

WA-April 6th: "We the People: Taking back our dignity and our State"

Washington Community Action Network:

Washingtonians have had enough. Cuts to Basic Health, Apple Health, education, services for seniors, and the environment have gone too far. Shamefully, many of the cuts have fallen on the backs of people of color and those who can least afford it in our state. On April 6th, we’re saying no more and we’re taking back our state and our dignity.

Lawmakers have a choice. The legislature should be able to come together to stop giving private jet owners, Wall Street banks, and big polluters unjust tax breaks, but if they can't then the people of Washington have a right to decide. We need real solutions from our lawmakers. Instead of making children and families sacrifice more during this recession, they should be making sure corporations are paying their fair share and contributing to our shared prosperity.

Do the right thing. Sign up to join us.

Wed, Apr 06, 2011

12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

WA: "Money needed to rescue Basic Health is out there"

John Burbank (Seattle PostGlobe, op-ed):

We are not broke, or even close. We have more money, income and wealth than 10 years ago, even more than 20 years ago, and way more than 30 years ago. So when lawmakers are making Sophie's choices about whether to cut basic health to nothing, or to cut two weeks out of the school year, or to close down programs at the University of Washington, we've got to start asking the basic question: "Where is the money?"
(SNIP)
Mr. Allen, Mr. Ballmer and Mr. Bezos: We can't make you fund public services. But your hearts might lead you there. Why don't you simply give $100 million for Basic Health? That's about seventeen one-hundredths of your combined wealth -- small change for the health of the citizens of our state. You are not broke. And we don't need to be. MORE...

Howie P.S.: I notice the omission of Mr. Gates. On the national level this story has a certain relevance: "At NBC News, General Electric Tax Story Not Deemed Newsworthy."

WA: "The Problem Isn't Runaway Spending"

David Goldstein (The Stranger):

If there was any surprise at last week's anemic state revenue forecast, there was absolutely none at the immediate response. The Seattle Times jumped on the additional $778 million budget shortfall as an opportunity to demand "more union concessions," while Republican lawmakers, reflexively sticking to their "Thou Shalt Not Raise Taxes" commandment, issued renewed calls for Olympia to "live within its means." Even Democratic governor Chris Gregoire echoed the Republican meme, muttering something about the need to "streamline government" and "enact new efficiencies" while repeating her own "no new taxes" pledge.

The conventional wisdom was summed up by state senate GOP budget negotiator Joe Zarelli, who told the Associated Press: "The projected deficit isn't due to a lack of revenue, it's the result of an overabundance of spending commitments."

Yeah. Uh-huh. Except, um... he's wrong. MORE...

Howie P.S.: In a companion piece, Eli Sanders has "The Solution: Close Tax Loopholes." Doesn't this shit sound familiar? Are you starting to see a pattern here?

"Five Beautiful Ways to Balance the State Budget (and One Ugly One)"

Eli Sanders (The Stranger):

A Few Things State Legislators Could Do to Fix Our State's $4.6 Billion Budget Hole, and What They'll Actually Do. MORE...

"State lawmakers skip drama, cut budget by millions"

Andrew Garber (Seattle Times):

Departing Sen. Eric Oemig, D-Kirkland, voted against the reductions, arguing lawmakers should look to eliminate certain tax loopholes and giveaways to raise more money. Oemig lost to a Republican in the November election.

"Today, what this bill does, it's going to cut welfare for kids, for families," he said during the debate. "It's going to cut school funding. And it's not asking anyone else to sacrifice. That's just not right."
(SNIP)
"This is probably the easiest of all the decisions we're going to have to make as we move into January," said Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, the ranking Republican on the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Zarelli voted for the cuts.

That's what has health-care, social-service and education advocates worried.

"There's a real fear out there that this is just the tip of the iceberg," said Sandeep Kaushik, a spokesman for a coalition of health-care and social-service advocates.

"The Legislature needs to take a balanced approach to this unprecedented situation," he said. "What I'm suggesting is that they also take a look at reforming tax exemptions and closing some of these worst tax exemptions." MORE...