OLYMPIA-- Debate continues:

Sen. Joseph Zarelli, R-Ridgefield: "I do think there is a difference between one initiative and another. People think a little bit about their pocket books, on both sides, than they do about policy. Let's try to keep a leg up (on Oregon, where voters  It is our role to lift people up, but not necessarily take care of them.

Sen. Lisa Brown, D-Spokane: "I respect the constitution and the constitution lays out the balance of powers. The Legislature, it is vested in us, to create the budget and to balance the budget, which is the most important bill we pass. If you hold the budget to minority rule, some would say held hostage...then you are holding the policy of the people ... also hostage to minority rule. We have the task and responsiblity, which we hold very, very seriously, to balance the budget. If I brought an all cuts budget to the floor, it would not get 25 votes, it would not get 10. It will not be an all-cuts budget this year. We cut much deeper last year than I wanted...we did it because we had to bring a balanced budget to the floor. (This year's budget) will be fair and honest to the people. I uphold (my constituents) trust in me."

Sen. Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, said Republicans predicted budget deficits three years ago: "We have been saying there's a crash coming, and nobody listened. Part of what we're in today is global, but part of it is self-inflicted."

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