October 27, 2011 in News, City

Gregoire proposes service and pay cuts

Gives Legislature list of options

Jim Camden The Spokesman-Review

Tags:budget cutsgov. chris gregoireWashington state budget problems

Lui Wong photo

An unhappy Washington state Gov. Chris Gregoire addresses the media about her budget cutting ideas to deal with a $2 billion deficit in the state budget on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 in Olympia, Wash. Gregoire says about her options are limited. The state has already cut $10 billion from state government over the last three years.
(Full-size photo)

OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire released a list of possible cuts to slash $2 billion from the state budget, more than a fourth of it from public schools and state colleges and another $380 million from social service programs.

The list Gregoire sent to the Legislature, which will convene in a special session Nov. 28, includes more than $4 billion worth of possible cuts. She highlighted the ones she expects to place in her supplemental budget, but acknowledged legislators might make other choices.

Among her choices:

• Social service programs would be cut nearly $381 million, by reducing or eliminating nearly 60 programs, among them subsidized child care, long-term care services, chemical dependency and many economic services.

• Health care services would be cut near $333 million, eliminating Basic Health and cutting some 35,000 low-income people off state subsidized health care, to save $48 million, and the Disability Lifeline medical program, which covers 21,000, and save $110 million.

• Public schools could see a reduction of some $365 million in state funding, including $150 million cut to “levy equalization,” which is designed to assist poorer school districts, and a $137 million cut by increasing class sizes by two students in grades 4 through 12.

• Colleges and universities would see a $174 million cut, all but $8 million of it as a result of reducing state support by 15 percent.

“Obviously there will be layoffs,” she said.

The options are “dreadful,” she added. “Washingtonians will get a lot less of what they truly need.”

The list of preferred options includes cuts to the state share of its employees health care coverage, which must still be negotiated with its unions. Wednesday the executive director of the state’s largest union said they wouldn’t come to the bargaining table until Gregoire brought in state corporations and got them to agree to giving up some of their tax exemptions.

“I hope they will reconsider and come to the table,” Gregoire said of the unions. “I don’t collective bargain with businesses. I collective bargain with my work force.”

The list of alternatives includes only budget cuts. Gregoire said that was because she promised to give the Legislature an “all cuts” budget. She and her staff will consider possible tax or fee increases before the session starts, but had none to suggest now.

“I have not thought about revenue,” she said.

As Gregoire outlined her preferred cuts, a small group of protesters chanted in the hall outside her Capitol office demanding an end to tax breaks for businesses.

Remy Turpin, the executive director of the Washington Budget and Policy Center, a progressive group, called her budget plan a “one-sided, lopsided approach that will do significant damage to the very things that make our state a good place to live, work and do business.”

Mary Lindquist, president of the Washington Education Association called the cuts to public schools and higher education will force layoffs, crowd classrooms and make college too expensive for more families. “Enough is enough,” she said in a prepared statement.

Legislators acknowledged that Gregoire had made some difficult, albeit preliminary, choices.

“We have few good choices left and we must keep all options on the table,” Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, said in a joint statement with Ed Murray, D-Seattle, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.

Sen. Joe Zarelli of Ridgefield, the ranking Republican on the Ways and Means Committee, commended Gregoire for releasing the list of options early. “I agree with the governor when she says government cannot do it all. It will be up to the Legislature to decide what government should and should not be doing, and at what cost to the taxpayers.”

29 comments on this story so far. Add yours!

soccermomsusie on October 27 at 10:13 a.m.
SMART ALECKY UNIONS!!!
Socialist Queen Christine wants them to take a cut and instead they point to Our Betters and say, “We will, if they will.” What a bad attitude.
Didn’t the Collectivist Unionists read the paper this morning? Our Betters are being blessed by The Almighty like never before! And some are trying to make it look like a bad thing.
The gap between the Good (wealthy/Heaven) and the Bad (poor/Hell) has never been greater in our history. But these unions want to insult The Lord and ruin his plan by building a place somewhere in the middle. YUCK!!!!
What do they want, a POOR MAN’S POOR MAN’S PURGATORY!??!
Incidentally, don’t forget to vote for our TEA PARTY CANDIDATE - DAVID CONDON FOR MAYOR TODAY! More importantly, send him some cash ASAP! Maybe he could get Keefe to shave for the next commercials if he ups the ante.
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
Lewis on October 27 at 10:38 a.m.
no revenue means no entitlements, simple math.
lets see any state employees making more then 100 grand a year take a 30% cut in pay first with their benefits they are living too large for public servants.
Rock60 on October 27 at 10:58 a.m.
I’m sure you do not like these options Christine. We Republican conservative types surely do. Have a little chitchat with Ms. Murry and get her onboard with the idea of spending cuts and service cuts. If it can work for Washington state, it can work for the country.
Truthhurts on October 27 at 11:00 a.m.
How about ending the Second Great Prohibition (the “war on drugs”) and reduce the law enforcement and prison costs proportionately.
In most states the prisons have gone from 6% of state budgets to 17%, while college support has gone from 17% of the state budget to 6%.
Bad trade.
soccermomsusie on October 27 at 11:01 a.m.
Happily leading the parade this morning!!!
COME ON, some more voices please who will join us in saying NO to taxing our Corporate Betters!
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
Hiker on October 27 at 11:58 a.m.
Levy equalization should be entirely eliminated. The state should pay for basic education as required in the state constitution. Extras should be funded from local sources.
The almost 200 school districts with under 3000 students, should also be consolidated. Each of them doesn’t need a superintendent and central staff.
On the revenue side, farmers should have to pay B&O tax like every other business in the state.
greenlibertarian on October 27 at 12:19 p.m.
Always with the negative waves, Moriarty, err, Liberty Bell, always with the negative waves…
Why don’t you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don’t you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don’t you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?
It’s not like we got Tiger tanks to deal with.
Beth9079 on October 27 at 12:23 p.m.
Cutting Basic health cannot be allowed. I am one of the 35,000. What am I supposed to do without health insurance? I will end up at the hospital for everything. I am epileptic, have migraines and a thyroid condition. The government wants health care for everyone and yet here Washington State is trying to cut mine. I pay my premiums without fail. I have sent messages to Christine Gregoire, Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, and President Obama. Take the time to voice your concern. I didn’t even know all their names but I definitely want to be heard. Taking away health care makes no sense when you are lobbying for all Americans to have it! Good grief
johnclarke on October 27 at 12:52 p.m.
Beth9079 on October 27 at 12:23 p.m.
Cutting Basic health cannot be allowed. I am one of the 35,000. What am I supposed to do without health insurance?
Two responses
1) Agreed, we should be able to provide Health Insurance for everyone regardless of ability to pay. Our children deserve care.
2) I guess you will have to do the same thing that people that can’t afford it do. Not have Health Insurance.
Welcome to the Republican future everyone. First, let’s lower taxes for the rich, then deregulate banking and Wall Street, completely trash the economy and then let the taxpayers pick up the tab. Once the revenues fall off for not only the entire country (the Fed is collecting about 15%, which is the same as the Eisenhower years) but for all the states as well - the budgets get squeezed. Then we can cut the funding for education, job training, medical coverage for the most vulnerable etc etc. Then we can arrive at the Republican dream, and get all those freeloaders off the backs of the fortunate.
mikeln on October 27 at 1:25 p.m.
I don’t think people making a livable wage are the problem. I know I’m paying more in taxes to this state every year, where the hell is my money going? Hope I win the lottery so I can get in on buying a 6.4 million doller aircraft without paying any sales tax. Nice to know this is going on when I give the state 8 cents for a dollor burger.
Dazzeetrader11 on October 27 at 1:42 p.m.
Beth..it’s a good thing that each of your stated conditions are treatable. Go see the Doctor and he’ll give you neurontin, throid replacement and some ibuprofen.. You’ll be feeling fine when you lose weight and go get that job.
Meanwhile Clarkie…who said I should be paying for everyone ELSE’s healthcare? I pay plenty for my own family. You’re a medicare taker Clarkie…you feel good about it…like you’re “entitled” to it.
Well the unions will be in for a shocker. Out of money, no big salaries and no big benefits. Unions should dissolve. Too expensive andyway.
We have jobs…just not union jobs.:)
I like the part where Deveroux say to reduce the cuts for business…not knowing that it’s their tax that pays for his lil pirates and their causes too.. Longview…comes to mind. Not public servants ( lolol) but apparently not that different.
These guys are in it for what they can pry away from the hosts ( me). Parasites with votes.. Go Gregoire…cut em back!
detroitdude on October 27 at 1:49 p.m.
“You’ll be feeling fine when you lose weight and go get that job.”
Proving once again why so many revile your nonsense on this site.
“Meanwhile Clarkie…who said I should be paying for everyone ELSE’s healthcare? I pay plenty for my own family. You’re a medicare taker Clarkie…you feel good about it…like you’re “entitled” to it. ”
The ironic thing is, if everyone paid a bit so we could all have universal health care, for every US citizen, you would in actuality be paying less than what you do to cover your family.
I know, I know, them Canadians and Europeans are busting through the borders every single day demanding we switch health care programs with them because ours is so superior.
Beth9079 on October 27 at 2:46 p.m.
Here’s the deal….being on Basic Health does not mean you do not work. My family has full time income. Sharing any of my health issues is to give reasons that Health Insurance is beneficial. I pay a premium every month for services. I am neither fat nor unaware and I AM under a doctor’s care which would be horrible to loose. Basic Health provides a vital service, seeing it as some sort of laziness on my part is inaccurate to say the least.
norpass on October 27 at 3:00 p.m.
Dear Governess SHOULD take a pay cut. As should legislators and local elected officials everywhere. Cutting the tax exemptions for churches might not be a bad idea either. Pay your fair share there religious types. Especially if your about the busines of land ownership, investments, and crap like that there.
Maybe Dear Governess would consider selling Seattle to the Chinese. Probably be a good markup on that.
Welcome_Black_Carter on October 27 at 3:19 p.m.
Cut as much from the LibTards as possilbe! All good news. Stop spending money we don’t have.
JayNW on October 27 at 3:35 p.m.
Beth, have you tried a titanium necklace for the migraines? I know a lot of people who have, and they don’t have issues anymore. They cost about $20-$30.
Also, do you not have insurance through your job? I’m confused, I though people w/o jobs/low income are the ones on basic health. How do you qualify? Not trying to be rude, but I don’t understand it.
Beth9079 on October 27 at 4:15 p.m.
JayNW I have never tried the necklace you mention but I will definitely look into it. My husband works full-time but the premiums for him and I on his work insurance were too much. Basic Health bases your premium on your income and has many levels. You can definitely work and qualify for Basic. I have co-payments and deductibles like most other insurance. It is by no means a free pass. I have no problem with someone wanting to understand.
JayNW on October 27 at 4:22 p.m.
so My understanding Beth is that the cuts the governor is proposing, won’t stop your health benefits but will force you to pay the full premium amount for the insurance provided by your husbands employment?
JayNW on October 27 at 4:25 p.m.
re-reading your last comment, or now you will be forced to get insurance through your husbands job, therefore having to pay the higher premium?
No offense, but most people are paying high premiums for insurance. It sucks, but its life. I have to pay hundreds of $$ each month for myself, and yes it is a burden. But I wouldn’t expect other peoples tax dollars to pay for it. I have had to make cuts in toher stuff, like no cable, less cell phone bill, don’t eat out, use public transportation instead of driving everywhere etc.
cryssT on October 27 at 4:29 p.m.
Who knows, maybe this time WSP and ferry workers will also have a 3% pay cut - so that they can join the rest of the State employees in giving their fair share.
Blondscence on October 27 at 4:56 p.m.
Sounds like Beth is capable of a job that might help the insurance situation. Next up?…go get the insurance and pay for it. It’s hard, I know. But nothing is free forever, not even with a big discount.
It’s not wrong for unions to go byy their own insurance. Let them do that. Lord knows they have it better than the normal employee in terms of salary and benefits. The Governor MUST hold fast. The union offers nothing except some idea of outdated threats to the workers.. She will give them what they want though. They got her elected. Again..the Dems being funded by the unions so the unions get what they want. Why would that change now? Answer: Gregoire’s gone. Now she can do what she REALLY thinks is best. She doesn’t have to be loyal to the unions..For once, she might be loyal to the citizens.
misjustice on October 27 at 5:30 p.m.
Once again, Mr. Carter, uses the slur “tard” (short for retarded) to make his point, whatever that is.
johnclarke on October 27 at 5:31 p.m.
You’re a medicare taker Clarkie…you feel good about it…like you’re “entitled” to it.
Um, Daisy I have a health plan paid for by moi. You might want to stop tossing insults around.
another_perspective on October 27 at 7:09 p.m.
Why do we pay the district 81 and principals more than we pay the State Education commissioner?
Why do we pay University presidents $1 million + a year?
Why do we pay Football coaches $1 million + a year.
So we can bankrupt the rest of the taxpayers.
Once again the public servants are eating at one might fine trough on our dollars.
johnclarke on October 27 at 8:32 p.m.
http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres50.html
Dazzeetrader11 on October 27 at 8:42 p.m.
Well done Clarkie! Now, let’s get rid of the unions…
arroyoribera on October 28 at 12:21 a.m.
(If you don’t like the length of this, skip it)
On TVW’s Inside Olympia on 9/15/11, Washington state chief economist Arun Raha indicated the nature of the current economy - “an L shaped curve into the foreseeable future”, i.e., no growth, no revenue, not to mention no jobs, and no relief for the state’s unemployed & suffering. Go to 28 minutes & 20 seconds of the program. http://www.tvw.org/media/mediaplayer.cfm?evid=2011090057&TYPE=V&CFID=7961374&CFTOKEN=67706251&bhcp=1 Obviously there are right wing Republican & tea party political interests that want to prevent economic improvement until after the 2012 elections.
Nevertheless, the cause of this situation is a grave & massive international crisis of capitalism which will continue to spiral down into a hole in the ground. The crisis has been long in the making but it appeared in the highly suspect collapse of the economy in October 2008, a month before the walking-talking disaster George Bush was to leave office. From there the Bush Bailout turned into what is now the some $30 trillion transfer of public wealth to corporations & the US ruling elite.
This is clearly fine with several posting comments here who, like Grover Norquist nationally and his protege Tim Eyman statewide, live to see “government reduced to a size that it can be dragged to a bathtub and drowned”. That is really the agenda. It is not really about tax reduction for these folks, tax reduction that they would have us believe are necessary because such tax reduction, to them, returns the economy to its proper & natural state. Nor is it because these same individuals are starving or dying due to their excessive tax burden. It is purely ideological, if not, for some of them, a sort of class warfare.
That said, those of a Democratic party persuasion (which I am not) or of a progressive or left or radical perspective (which I am), should stop allowing themselves to be led piecemeal into this every day more serious crisis & understand one truth (regardless of whether or not you hear it from the unfortunately silent Democratic party state legislators from this district): Without revenue, there will continue to be unprecedented and in some cases irreversible cuts which will transform permanently the nature of our state & our communities.
Last winter in the coldest February since 1997, the state of Washington - with silence from elected and non-elected voices who should have spoken with public outrage and indignation - cut off on very short notice 5000 families with 10,000 from the minuscule cash benefit they were receiving. In 4 days, on 11/1/11 on the verge of winter, some 10,000 individuals will be cut from a state disability program paying a miserly $197/mo cash. With these cuts Washington state joins the ranks of states literally saying to its less fortunate “it is a free country, good luck schmuck” or (to use the language of one frequent contributor here) “tard”.
We can protest this all we want. But without revenue, the state will continue to have budget shortfall after budget shortfall.
http://oureconomicfuture.org/pdf/TalkingPoints.pdf When Susan Dreyfus was brought to Washington state by her friend the Governor, she was obviously asked only the following: “Do you have a red pen and a paring knife and are you willing to use them ruthlessly even in the face of inhumane cuts?” She answered yes and hired people under the same criteria. Though Dreyfus is now returning to the midwest, she has left in place a team devoted to the same bottom line.
(continued below) David Brookbank
arroyoribera on October 28 at 12:22 a.m.
(continued from above)
Now the cuts are so drastic that very shortly (and I believe it is clear already to all but state line staff) the very large share of state costs associated with wages and benefits of state employees will loom as an unavoidable and inevitable target of cuts. Likewise soon enough the specter of privatization and contracting will be raised as inevitable. At this point, Grover Nordquist and Tim Eyman’s wet dreams will start to become realities. You can not get the Governor, Sen. Brown, Reps. Billig and Ormsby or anyone else to address this topic yet but given the economist realities, it is an inevitability.
“Robber baron” JP Morgan Chase already receives hundreds of thousands of dollars from DSHS clients from fees on ATM transactions. On December 1, 2011, Spokane will be a pilot project for a new plan to require clients to contact the same “robber baron” institution for replacement EBT (electronic benefit transfer) cards. In Kentucky, JP Morgan Chase has taken an even greater role in the state social service programs.
In other states, like Texas, corporations like military contractor Lockheed are involved in running programs like welfare-to-work and other aspects of the social service system. http://www.polarisinstitute.org/files/Lockheed%20Martin.pdf
In states like Texas and Kansas, these programs have often been considered less than successful or failures when put in the hands of corporations. Much of what this is all about is business as usual, literally, i.e., pure profit. The selling off of public assets for short term gain is an error and often can not be undone.
Time to catch up with this catastrophe, people, and stop running behind it, reacting to each new catastrophe. This is the big one and it is time to get active NOW!
David Brookbank
philipgregory on October 28 at 7:03 a.m.
Of course she does. Her political career is over and she knows it. Now she can stop pretending she cares about her ‘fellow worders’ or the struggling poor and working class.
Protect the elitist programs and projects Governor. We’ll remember you and your party for many years to come.