Sound Politics: Budget Solutions from the Left

January 27, 2009

Budget Solutions from the Left - UPDATED

The lobbyists and legislators I talked to down in Olympia yesterday indicated that there was no way out of the budget crisis--$7 billion? $8 billion--other than raising taxes.

Something tells me the hyper-pragmatist side of Frank Chopp isn't thrilled with that option. Whatever happens with Obama in DC, a major, perceived fumble by Democrats in control of Olympia could have electoral ramifications in 2010, which no doubt weighs on Chopp's mind.

Exit point: perhaps this is why government shouldn't spend through the nose when it is warned not too? Just a thought.

UPDATE: in addition to spending too much, some would like to fund such over-spending by relying on a tighter squeeze on an already declining tax base. There's your gasoline being poured on the fire of unsustainability.

Posted by Eric Earling at January 27, 2009 03:15 PM | Email This

Comments

1. 'Pragmatist'- there is that cringy, creepy, crawling, chalk on a chalkboard word again.

You see, there is no Democrat who wants to cut any spending, so you just raise taxes.

Shouldn't there be a compromise somewhere in between like let's cut everything vs. let's cut a lot and raise taxes a little?

Posted by: swatter on January 27, 2009 03:45 PM

2. No posting on Larry Phillips' announcement? Bummer. Was looking forward to some crack analysis.

Posted by: Hmmm... on January 27, 2009 03:48 PM

3. How come those on the Right saw this coming, but those on the Left didn't? The Democrats in this state are pathetic.

Posted by: Petegoud on January 27, 2009 04:00 PM

4. "The Democrats in this state are pathetic."

They is certainly true, but no more than the people in the media that defend and protect them, and the people who vote for them and their taxing and spending addiction. Democrats are happy as can be when they can just give away more and more of other peoples' money to their voters. But when the well dries up, they can't figure out how to reduce their addiction to spending by a penny?

Gregoire's biennial budget proposal was $400 million HIGHER than the last biennium, and her party in the Legislature is acting like a cabal of Meth addicts that can't strip Copper wire fast enough to support their addiction. Gregoire wants more liquor stores to suck more revenue? She already profits from vices like gambling and cigarettes. Why not just legalize drugs and make Gregoire the only legal drug dealer in the state?

How does any addict get cured of their dangerous habits? Does anyone disagree that this state's Democrats and their dependency base need an intervention? How do we cut-off Democrats and force them into withdrawals for about a decade!

Posted by: Reality on January 27, 2009 04:28 PM

5. Dear democrats - Sorry, I'm tapped out.

You'll have to make do with what you have.

Just like I do...

Posted by: nomoretaxes on January 27, 2009 05:04 PM

6. When will the democrats learn that tax and spend doesn't solve anything? When will the Republican's learn that don't tax and still spend is worse? When will America learn that don't tax and don't spend is the only solution?

Posted by: conservativenorthwest on January 27, 2009 05:07 PM

7. Gregoire should lower the drinking age to 16 and put liquor stores in the schools. Budget fixed in no time....

Posted by: Doc-T on January 27, 2009 06:14 PM

8. NO NEW TAXES! NONE. NADA. COULD THERE BE A WORSE TIME TO RAISE TAXES??

I hope I wasn't unclear.

Posted by: Michele on January 27, 2009 09:14 PM

9. Folks you make me chuckle with your posts. Dems in this state continue to tax and spend and they continue to be re-elected to public office. Why on Earth would you think they would ever stop this pattern if they keep winning elections?

Until the public sends a message that they are tired of being squeezed for more and more tax dollars, these politicians have no reason to change their behavior.

Posted by: Smoley on January 27, 2009 11:29 PM

10. Both state legislators and local officials need to wake up to reality. They both need to prioritize what is really important to do and forgo what is "nice" to do. Tax revenues are not going to magically go back up anytime soon. Local officials especially need to be aware of this. The headline of one of the major local papers had in it about declining real estate values. Now, for the time being most property tax valuations are not the same as the inflated pricing on homes in the area, but give another year proper adjustment of home prices, we may see where counties will have to lower proper valuations used for tax purposes. Couple this fact with other initiatives passed limiting property tax rate increases and the general mood against tax increase, my speculation is that local revenues and state revenues based on property values will be taking a hit in the upcoming couple of years. Therefore, both state and local legislators should be planning for further reductions of revenues in the forecasts and cut spending accordingly.

Just my thoughts.

Posted by: tc on January 28, 2009 07:45 AM

11. I have had it with the commies in Olympia. I was born in this state, but am thinking of leaving. I don't have anymore money for the waste, fraud and abuse coming out of Olympia. These fools need to understand...I HAVE NO MORE MONEY FOR THEM! What I earn, I EARN! They steal!!

Posted by: Ripped Off on January 28, 2009 07:54 PM