State Budget

State Budget

The Governor and the majority Democrats have been proposing to spend an additional $234 million in the 2008 supplemental budget on top of the $29.6 billion already budgeted for 2007—2009 (up 26% over 4-years). The Governor and majority Democrats set a clear goal last month to have at least $1 billion in unspent projected tax revenues in order to weather a likely economic downturn. On February 15th the state’s Revenue Forecast Council projected state revenues to be down $423 million from previous estimates. The BOTTOM-LINE is that the 2008 Legislature cannot increase state spending by $234 billion and still have a $1 billion unspent surplus with this new, lower, revenue forecast.

There is more. The new Senate Ways and Means Committee six year state spending forecast shows the 2009-11 Biennium at a $2.379 billion revenue shortfall, and a 2011-13 Biennium at $5.084 billion revenue shortfall. A revenue shortfall means pressure for new taxes to maintain the current spending projected into the future and those shortfalls are HUGE numbers.

YOU need to contact your two state Representatives and state Senator and clearly sate that you support spending cuts and oppose any tax increases in order to fix any state budget problems. IBA Position: Minimize any increase in state spending, CUT spending if necessary, and OPPOSE any tax increases to retain at least a $1 billion revenue surplus. Below are some sample letters to your legislators. You can identify your legislators and their phone numbers by going to www.ibaw.net/legfind or by calling 1-800-562-6000.

Sample Letter To Your Representatives

Month xx, 2008

The Honorable ____________

House of Representatives

Olympia, WA 98504

Re: 2008 Supplemental Budget

Dear Representative _________:

As a small business owner from ____city name_______, I urge you to not increase any state taxes and cut state spending if necessary to make sure there is at least a $1 billion revenue surplus after the passage of the 2008 state supplemental budget. Our business is having to cut back on spending due to the economic slowdown we are now in. The state must do the same. State spending has increased over 26% over the past four years. My sales in my small business have not seen that kind of increase. Plus, the Senate Ways and Means Committee six year state spending forecast shows the 2009-11 Biennium at a $2.379 billion revenue shortfall, and a 2011-13 Biennium at $5.084 billion revenue shortfall. Those are huge revenue shortfalls and they must be minimized now by controlling state spending now.

Thank you for considering our comments

Please advise us of your position on state spending.

Thank you,

Sign your name

Print your name

Business name (optional)

Mailing address

City, WA Zip

Phone number (optional)

Sample Letter To Your Senator