Budget fix requires revenue

Gov. Gregoire released her 2010 budget this month. It is death by a billion cuts. She said this budget is not acceptable and that we need new revenue sources. I agree.

Washington state is still recovering from the worst economic crisis in 80 years. More cuts to the state budget will prolong this recession and deny Washington families the services they need to get back on their feet.

Cutting services will not help our state recover. Our state budget is a reflection of our values. Do we cut essential programs like basic health care, education and services for the low-income families or protect these programs by closing corporate tax loopholes and raising sin taxes? I know the right answer, and our legislators need to know too.

Cutting our essential state services will permanently handicap our state and prevent any economic recovery. Without essential state services we will not be able to produce the skilled, educated and healthy work force the global economy demands. We cannot cut our way out of this recession.

John Morrison

Spokane