Gop Proposes Changes To Budget Shifts Keep Spending At $19 Billion; The Increase ‘Is Zero,’ Sen. West Says
Senate Republicans on Friday proposed a rewrite of the $19 billion Washington state budget that adds millions to fight crime, rebuild salmon runs and boost schools and social programs - all without jacking up the bottom line for state spending.
The fiscal sleight-of-hand is possible because of lower school enrollment and other savings.
Senate budget Chairman Jim West, R-Spokane, downplayed this year’s version of the budget negotiations, saying “It’s not a big deal.” In large part, that’s because majority Republicans sent out the word months ago that they would spend no more than the $19.085 billion they approved last spring, he said.
That’s precisely what the new budget spends, and it’s roughly $70 million below the level permitted under the state’s Initiative 601 spending-limit law.
“The increase, for the first time in years, is zero,” West said.
The proposal also leaves a reserve of $813 million.
Lower-than-expected school enrollment will save the state nearly $70 million and federal funding will increase by about $100 million. Roughly $100 million must be added for various social and health programs to keep up with caseloads and expenses.
That leaves about $70 million in “found” money below the Republicans’ line-in-the-sand number of $19.085 billion for the current budget cycle, which ends June 30 of next year.
Here’s how the Senate majority proposes to spend the new dollars:
Education
A Republican reading program, including grants to encourage schools to use phonics, would get $15 million. The budget does not presume Senate passage of the House-passed plan to authorize charter schools.
Salmon restoration
The plan would allocate $9.5 million from the state treasury for programs aimed at building depleted salmon stocks.
Transportation
About $25.3 million is proposed for the state highway fund, both from a $12 million cash grant and by using the general treasury to pick up costs now borne by the transportation fund. If voters approve a $2.4 billion Republican proposal for highway funding this November, about $43 million more would be available in the current twoyear fiscal period. The total of about $68 million could be used to bond a much larger amount.
Crime
The budget plan would provide $13.2 million for a variety of crime bills now moving through the Legislature. West said the plethora of drunkendriving bills would not cost any additional state tax dollars. Some local governments have complained that the legislation would cost them more and want the Legislature to pick up the tab.
Higher education
A net of about $3 million is added to the higher education budget. Washington State University is trimmed by $2.7 million to reflect lower enrollment on the Pullman and Tri-Cities campuses. WSU construction claims are budgeted at $3.3 million. The University of Washington’s Internet2 “Gigapop” program is given $3 million. A prepaid tuition program is budgeted at $1.4 million.
2000
The GOP plan also includes $5.3 million to reprogram state government computers so they don’t go haywire when the year 2000 rolls around.
TVW
The state’s C-SPAN style government affairs television project would get $1.9 million to continue operations for another year. Private matching grants still would be needed.
West’s Ways and Means Committee will hold a public hearing on the proposal Monday, amend and approve the measure the following day and pass it through the full Senate on Wednesday, said Majority Leader Dan McDonald, R-Bellevue.
House Republicans plan to come out with their version next week.
The proposal does not include some Locke priorities, such as expanding coverage of children’s health insurance and giving bonuses to teachers who gain national certification.
xxxx Budget highlights Here are highlights of the Senate Republicans’ new state budget plan: TOTAL: $19.085 billion, no change from current spending level. PROPOSAL: By using savings, primarily from lower school enrollment, plan adds about $70 million in new spending within the overall spending cap. WINNERS: Reading program, salmon restoration, transportation, crime legislation and higher education all get new dollars. RESERVE: $813 million. TAX CUTS: $18 million in assorted cuts. GOP transportation plan, if approved by voters in November, would cut car-tab taxes by $40 per vehicle, beginning in summer 1999.