OLYMPIA -- Sen. Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup, warns of severe cuts, even if there are tax increases.

"You talk about restructuring of government? There are going to be complete programs that are going to be eliminated. We give out billions of tax breaks every year and there's virtually no accountability. We have tax breaks with no job requirements at all...no proof of benefits to the state at all...We need to look at all the options. This is not about tax increases this is about looking at all the options."

Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island: "I have 43 grandchildren. I believe it's our moral responsiblity to take care of people. I've never voted for a general tax increase, but I will this year. We don't spend tax money on transportation projects. We don't put any art in it."

Sen. Janea Holmquist, R-Moses Lake: "People have spoken loud and clear. The bill before us emasculates the initiative. Say it only suspends for two years, but I don't know of a tax that lasts for two years. They last forever. Raising taxes is meant to be the last resort. You only need one of our members to (get two-thirds). Raising taxes in a recession will lead to job losses. This is not just about raising taxes, this is about listening to the public.

Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue: "First I want to make it clear that I am not a grandmother. We've cut already $4 billion. Just over 12 percent. The great Rossi budget, that was a 9.5% People in my district don't look at corporate loopholes as tax increases; they want us to look at them. We are facing a very different environment than when the voters passed this. This is not an easy vote, but it is the right vote."

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