People will feel budget cuts

"It's not going to get better soon," was the message state Representatives Brian Blake and Dean Takko shared with local community leaders Tuesday morning.

The pair appeared at the quarterly community forum for elected officials, which is sponsored by the Cowlitz/Wahkiakum Council of Governments (COG).

They and other legislators gathered Saturday in Olympia at the request of Governor Chris Gregoire to address a $1.7 billion shortfall in the current biennium budget.

"We cut about half," Rep. Takko said. "We'll take care of the rest of it in January and then we'll start working on the projected $5.7 billion shortfall projected for the next biennium."

Revenues have dried up in the current recession.

"It's not a local government problem, or a state government problem," Blake said. "It's a global problem.

"It's a mess."

The representatives predicted the legislature and governor will deliver balanced budgets by cutting education and social services, which take up the bulk of the state's $32 billion budget.

Saturday's cuts affect elementary eduction and health programs (see related story in this issue). The second half of the cuts, Takko said, will probably come from the state's Basic Health Plan and Disability Lifeline.

"The only place we can go is social and health services," Takko said. "That's the reality we're facing.

"I don't know what the answer is; if you know where we can get $5 billion, let me know."

The legislature won't be trying to raise revenue through taxes or fees, they added; the success of state initiatives to cut or limit taxing has taken care of that. New taxes would require a 2/3 majority to pass, and that won't happen, they said.

The good thing about Saturday's session, Blake said, was that the legislation had bipartisan support and passed quickly.

"I was surprised because we were bipartisan," Blake said. "Hopefully that is an indication of what is to come."

Both legislators are pleased with their probable committee assignments for the coming session. Assignments haven't been posted, but Takko may chair the Local Government Committee, and Blake likely has a seat on the House Ways and Means Committee, which writes the state budget.