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Dear Friends,
This week was really a tale of two budgets.
The Senate Republicans' budget proposal respects the hard-working citizens of our state and would fund our basic obligations without raising taxes. The House Democrats' budget, on the other hand, would raise taxes by $1.5 billion. Take a look at the tax increases House Democrats are looking to impose:
I want to be very clear. We do not need these tax increases to fund our basic obligations. We have $3 billion in additional revenue for the 2015-17 biennium – almost a 9 percent increase from the current budget cycle. If we can't live within our means with that kind of an increase in revenue, something is wrong. State spending has nearly doubled over the past 15 years, and the House Democrats' budget would increase state spending by another 15 percent in the next biennium. That is not the right approach.
Neither budget is perfect, but the Senate Republicans' budget provides a better starting point for negotiations. Here is an overview of both budgets:
House Democrats' proposal:
- $39 billion total spending
- $1.5 billion in new and increased taxes
- Suspends the state spending limit
- Freezes tuition for higher education
- $1.4 billion for education spending to meet basic education requirements
- Includes cost-of-living adjustments for state and school employees
Senate Republicans' proposal:
- $38 billion total spending
- No new tax increases
- Does not suspend state spending limit
- Cuts tuition costs for higher education
- $1.3 billion for education spending to meet basic education requirements
- Includes cost-of-living adjustments for state and school employees
For more on the two budget proposals, click here to watch my recent video update.
Contacting me
I want to hear your thoughts and priorities for the operating budget. Please send me an email at dan.griffey@leg.wa.gov or call my office at (360) 786-7966.
It is an honor to serve you in the Legislature.
Sincerely,
Dan Griffey
