Aftermath of cuts unveiled: Budget faces further gouges in wake of revenue forecast
More cuts are coming in the wake of the new shortfall indicated in the revenue forecast.Published 9/16/2011
Comments (0)More news of deeper cuts and climbing deficit numbers came Thursday from the Governor’s Office. Washington state is facing another $1.4 billion shortfall, according to the September revenue forecast.
“Let me be clear,” Gov. Chris Gregoire said in an email sent to all state workers. “This is not due to something state government has or hasn’t done or to excessive salaries or to fraud, waste and abuse. This crisis, which began on Wall Street, has manifested in much the same way in nearly every state across the country.”
Gregoire said today’s forecast makes it clear that deep reductions are necessary. The governor asked last month that state agencies prepare for additional cuts of 5- to 10-percent, including state universities.
“I have not dealt with any future budget reductions until I get through this,” President Elson S. Floyd said. “I’m flat out at a point in which I have to finalize this budget that results in a $20 million annual reduction. I’ve got to get that figured out. Once I get that figured out and put to bed, I can work on this one.”
Chief Budget Officer Joan King said though the university budget officers were asked to determine their 5- to 10-percent reduction plans, it has not yet been determined to what extent the cuts will be at the university level.
Rep. Susan Fagan, R-Pullman, said in an email the forecast is yet another reminder the Legislature has its work cut out for it. She said the sooner action is taken, the more savings will be achieved and the better state agencies will function.
“I’m aware difficult decisions will need to be made that impact all of us, but we need to understand government budgets must be sustainable and realistic,” she said. “There are ‘wants,’ and then there are ‘needs.’ In our current economy, the state budget should be focused on those items most necessary to protect citizens, including our most vulnerable, while preserving a quality education system that prepares every child for a lifetime of success.”
Gregoire has not yet scheduled a special session. The next revenue forecast will be released Nov. 17.
“I know what more uncertainty means to our state work force,” Gregoire said. “I know the impact that the drumbeat of bad news has. I thank you for doing your jobs under very trying circumstances. History will reflect the hard work and courage it took to overcome the worst economic crisis in 80 years.”
Gregoire said today’s forecast makes it clear that deep reductions are necessary. The governor asked last month that state agencies prepare for additional cuts of 5- to 10-percent, including state universities.
“I have not dealt with any future budget reductions until I get through this,” President Elson S. Floyd said. “I’m flat out at a point in which I have to finalize this budget that results in a $20 million annual reduction. I’ve got to get that figured out. Once I get that figured out and put to bed, I can work on this one.”
Chief Budget Officer Joan King said though the university budget officers were asked to determine their 5- to 10-percent reduction plans, it has not yet been determined to what extent the cuts will be at the university level.
Rep. Susan Fagan, R-Pullman, said in an email the forecast is yet another reminder the Legislature has its work cut out for it. She said the sooner action is taken, the more savings will be achieved and the better state agencies will function.
“I’m aware difficult decisions will need to be made that impact all of us, but we need to understand government budgets must be sustainable and realistic,” she said. “There are ‘wants,’ and then there are ‘needs.’ In our current economy, the state budget should be focused on those items most necessary to protect citizens, including our most vulnerable, while preserving a quality education system that prepares every child for a lifetime of success.”
Gregoire has not yet scheduled a special session. The next revenue forecast will be released Nov. 17.
“I know what more uncertainty means to our state work force,” Gregoire said. “I know the impact that the drumbeat of bad news has. I thank you for doing your jobs under very trying circumstances. History will reflect the hard work and courage it took to overcome the worst economic crisis in 80 years.”
