OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Gov. Chris Gregoire has unveiled a two-year budget plan that uses a mix of cuts to state programs, suspension of voter initiatives and use of the state’s “rainy day” fund to patch a projected $4.6 billion deficit.
In her proposal unveiled Wednesday, Gregoire makes about $3 billion in cuts to programs across state government.
Gregoire also helps bridge the deficit by completely suspending two voter-backed education initiatives that deal with teacher pay raises and money for reducing class sizes.
She taps about $290 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund, and transfers about $400 million from other accounts to the state’s operating budget.
Her plan would leave the state’s operating budget with a balance of about $881 million.