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Friends
Committee on State
Budget Alert February
23, 2005 One of the most important issues confronting our state is the estimated $2.2 Billion budget deficit we face. The legislature must eliminate this deficit by passing a balanced budget by April 24th, 2005. The Revenue Forecast is due out March 17, 2005. Governor Gregoire will release her proposed budget shortly thereafter. It is vital that your elected representatives receive input as they face crucial financial decisions. Now is an important time to let your legislators and the governor know your concerns. Urge them not to balance the budget at the expense of “the least of these among us.” Background: In order to pass a balanced budget, our representatives must chose one of three options: 1. Cut $2.2 billion from existing state activities and services. 2. Raise $2.2 billion in new revenues (taxes) to cover the shortfall. 3. Agree to some combination of the above two options Since the legislature cannot cut K-12 funding or long-term obligations, is resistant to the idea of cutting higher education or prisons, and has other on-going obligations, a high proportion of any cuts typically come from health and human services. These cuts almost always have a proportionately higher impact on the poor and vulnerable. Funding for relief from poverty, mental health services, health care, children, and other vital programs depends on adequate revenue for their continued existence. On both sides of the budget equation, revenue and expenses, we can challenge some of the current thinking. On the revenue side, FCWPP is tracking and supporting legislation that provides accountability for tax breaks, as well as possible sources of revenue that move us towards our goal of a balanced tax structure that is fair and adequate and stable. It is vital that your voice is heard in Hear are some talking points: Tax Exemptions:
New Sources of Revenue:
Our tax structure is unfair and inadequate, as our budget deficit
indicates. A
fair tax system asks citizens to contribute to the cost of government
services based on their ability to pay. This is a venerable idea, as old
as the biblical notion that a few pennies from a poor woman’s purse
cost her more than many pieces of gold from a rich man’s hoard. A major
study "Who Pays?" released in January of 2004
shows that A state income tax is the most obvious solution,
however, the political environment in Reinstatement
of the estate tax is another possible option.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court ended Please contact your legislator and the governor and
let them know your concerns. Drop
Roger and me an email to let us know the result.
Our personal lobbying efforts are enhanced when you let your
legislators know you support the Friends Committee on Washington Public
Policy, and are responding to concerns you share with our lobbyists in Thank you, Deric Young FCWPP Legislative Committee Clerk To contact your FCWPP Lobbyist, Roger Kluck, email [email protected] or call him at 206-856-4444. To donate to FCWPP send your check to: FCWPP c/o
Annie Capestaney 1333 Alvarado Terrace If monthly contributions work best for you, many
banks will send checks automatically without charge. During business hours, you can leave a message for all three of your legislators and the Governor at the toll free hotline (the operators can even tell you who your legislators are!) 1-800-562-6000 Write your Senator and Representatives at: Senator ________________ Representative ___________ Use http://dfind.leg.wa.gov/dfinder.cfm to identify your legislators. Contact information for your senators can then be found at http://www.leg.wa.gov/senate/members/default.htm , and for representatives is at http://www.leg.wa.gov/house/default.htm. Help us widen our circle. Share this site with f/Friends and urge them to sign-up for their own legislative alerts by sending a blank message to [email protected] from the email account they want our alerts sent to
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