The Legislature finally broke on the last day of the extra session and passed a budget and other spending bills. Even though revenues are expected to grow by $2 billion in the next biennium (2011-2013), most representatives still cried poverty for the state, or was it for their special interest groups.
I began to look the budget over and as usual education took 41 percent of the hit. I realize that more money does not a good education system necessarily make, but there were so many programs and state offices that could have been eliminated. The Legislature has wasted yet another opportunity to completely retool the budgeting process and put our state on a financially responsible path instead of complaining about more taxes. I know these representatives are not up for re-election until 2012, but change is required to get this state off of the budget/tax roller coaster.
Todd Welch
Lake Stevens
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