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Frugal [Gregoire] budget wins few friends
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| Parent(s) |
Candidate
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| Contributor | Ralphie |
| Last Edited | Ralphie Dec 21, 2008 07:00pm |
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| Category | Analysis |
| Media | Newspaper - Seattle Post-Intelligencer |
| News Date | Friday, December 19, 2008 12:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Unacceptable.
That's what advocates for education, health and social programs called the $3 billion in cuts Gov. Chris Gregoire proposes in a no-new taxes plan for bridging a $5.8 billion budget shortfall.
"For low income individuals and families, this is sort of the nightmare before Christmas," said human services lobbyist Nick Federici. "The elimination of the General Assistance- Unemployable program, which is financial assistance for the lowest of the low income -- along with their mental health and health care benefits, elimination of a substantial portion of the basic health plan, cutting housing assistance by one half -- I think this is going to be devastating for not just the low income but working families that rely on a lot of these type of programs, particularly in these tough economic times."
The criticism of Gregoire's budget comes as no surprise. Gregoire said of her own budget: "I hate it. ... Nothing went untouched, and I've told people whom I respect and admire and who have folks that are going to be dramatically affected by this budget, 'You're going to hate it.' I've told legislators, 'You are going to hate my budget. There's something in there for everybody not to like.' "
In previous years, Gregoire's budgets drew fire from conservatives concerned that the new money poured into education and state employees' salaries would be unsustainable.
It appears the national recession has done what conservatives have been unable to do, force Democrats to undo many of the programs they put into place during the boom years. |
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