State Budget
Washington State faces budget challenges that threaten our ability to
maintain public priorities like educating our children, ensuring
communities are safe, providing health care for the uninsured, and
protecting the environment. These problems are not new, nor will they
go away without addressing the fundamental flaws in our revenue system.
Especially during this time of historic economic crisis, a balanced
approach to the budget deficit that includes reduced spending and
revenue increases is crucial to setting the stage for economic recovery
in the state.
Related research:
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No denying it: At least $10 billion has been cut from the state budget
- State budget cuts have taken an enormous toll on Washington state’s core public health, education, and community safety structures. Basic public services have been cut by at least $10 billion since the start of the Great Recession. These budget cuts have taken a grizzly toll on the health and well-being of workers and families from Aberdeen to Spokane.
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Declining Support for Education Threatens Economic Growth
- Washington’s ability to create jobs and build a strong economy is closely linked to providing quality education and making it widely available. But progress is jeopardized by potential options that lawmakers will consider when they meet in special session to respond to the ongoing revenue crisis.
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A Framework for Prosperity
- Washington’s path to economic recovery and future prosperity is dependent upon the choices we make in the coming weeks. Our state budget is an essential tool for investing in smart choices that will uphold our values and put us on the right path. In the midst of the worst economy since the Great Depression, our state’s primary responsibility should be to make investments that will ignite the economy, put people back to work, and provide opportunities for future generations to prosper.
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Economic Security: Key to Recovery and Prosperity
- State investments play a critical role in protecting Washingtonians against the continued economic downturn. Strong public structures- such as unemployment insurance, child care, housing, and food assistance – protect our families from poverty and deprivation when someone loses a job or faces a financial hardship. These types of investments are especially important when the impact of a downturn is as severe as the one we are experiencing now.
