I was reading the article by Chris McGann entitled Rossi's rematch is an uphill fight and noticed the following statement by Governor Gregoire's Communication director Debra Carnes,

"She came in and was handed a $2.2 billion deficit and she's turned that into a substantial surplus. She's got 84,000 kids back on health care. She's increased teacher salaries, reduced class sizes and upheld the will of the voters, reinstating the initiatives that the people passed," Carnes said.

The article from December 2005 by Mr. McGann, entitled State lawmakers to face surplus, urge to splurge, points out that although there was a deficit it was turned into a surplus and Governor Gregoire vowed to ensure that it would stay. We all know that not to be the case with the out of control spending that has caused the most recent budget deficit. I think this portion of the article states the truth about what happened to the Surplus and why we are now facing a budget deficit even larger than before,

"Gregoire already has presided over a $400 million tax increase. With the looming possibility that the 2007 budget could bring with it a $1 billion shortfall, she said she would like to save as much of the current surplus as possible.

"We ought to be thinking about the future and not just spending and finding ourselves having to cut or confronted with raising taxes when I know I can avoid it," Gregoire said.

It also could be the first significant test of Gregoire's mettle, as she'll be forced to push back against the Democratic-controlled Legislature, which up to now has been allied with her.

"My bottom line to legislators is, I really do not want to add something only to find we have to cut it in a year. That's irresponsible," she said. "Our top priority has to be to the commitments that we already made."

If Gregoire succeeds, she'll secure a stronger position as she heads into a 2008 re-election campaign."

As we know she not only did not stop the spending she has signed supplemental budgets increasing the spending to a total of a 33% increase. Governor Gregoire has shown that she will promise us restraint; yet she turns around and signs the largest increases in state history and the PI once again shows that depending on whether or not it is an election year will depend on how they will report on the Governor.