Proposed cuts too deep

Gov. Chris Gregoire presented a plan for balancing the state’s $2.6 billion budget deficit on Dec. 9. I am concerned over spending cuts for health care, education and public welfare programs. Although the governor is bringing out a second budget proposal early in 2010, the Basic Health plan and school levy equalization are of deep interest to me.

There is a great need to retain subsidized health coverage for lower-income Washington state residents. School districts with lower-than-average population property tax bases need to keep sufficient resources in order to teach our children. Also, there is a need to retain General Assistance for people with disabilities who are unable to work and cannot qualify for federal disability assistance.

I would be in favor of temporarily raising certain taxes but would only support such a measure if a specific sunset date requirement is included in a bill.

We need to be very discretionary in closing state institutions, namely the Pine Lodge Corrections Center in Medical Lake. Since this is the only women’s prison in Eastern Washington, careful attention must be given to relocation of inmates, overcrowding of prisons and weighing the costs in doing so.

Dennis Pasquale

Spokane