By David Ammons
Associated Press
LACEY – Gov. Gary Locke, under fresh attack by teachers and social service advocates for his proposed budget cuts, went on the offensive Tuesday, warning against general tax hikes and calling for sacrifice and discipline.
The Democratic governor tempered his fiscally conservative pitch by calling for better schools, and laid out a jobs plan to help spur economic recovery. Without offering details, he also talked about creating a new education trust fund to enrich public schools from preschool to graduate school.
But mainly his annual State of the State address was a stern call for resolve as he and lawmakers are “tested by difficult decisions” in the 2003 legislative session. A general tax hike would stymie the economic recovery, he said.
The 29-minute speech was generally well-received, although some Democrats said Locke was dwelling too much on spending cuts and not on how to bring in more revenue. Republicans were generally happy with Locke, particularly his no-new-tax stance, but said he needs to be more aggressive with economic development and streamlining government regulations.
“The way to get back on our feet economically is to live within our means,” Locke said. “By sticking together and sacrificing together, we will get through these tough times.”
Locke defended his budget, which suspends pay raises for teachers and a scheduled increase in state aid for school class-size reduction. Both were mandated by voter-approved initiatives that Locke wants to suspend for two years.
Locke also proposes freezing state employee salaries, and cuts higher education, prisons, parks, social and health services, health care insurance coverage for the working poor and other programs.
Locke said his budget still covers the core services of government, adding more dollars for education than in the current budget.
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