Gov. Chris Gregoire called on state lawmakers Tuesday to be both decisive and compassionate as they look for ways to address a $2.6 billion budget deficit while at the same time supporting education and spurring investment in new jobs.
In her annual State of the State speech, delivered to a joint session of the 61st Legislature, the governor acknowledged that lawmakers must navigate “one of the most difficult chapters” in state history over the next 60 days.
She outlined a 10-point plan to create up to 40,000 jobs through capital investments, financial incentives and removing barriers to private investments, promising more details on Thursday.
And despite the state’s dire financial situation, she also called for significant investments in education, including a voluntary “All-Start” preschool program to provide early learning opportunities to all 3- and 4-year-olds; continuing implementation of all-day kindergartens for all 5-year-olds; and full funding of a tuition assistance program that allows 12,300 low-income students to attend college.
Gregoire also asked the Legislature to lift the levy lid and fund levy equalization, which helps property-poor school districts, and to approve an overhaul of the state’s evaluation system for teachers and principals, including a system for tying principals’ performance to student achievement.
She also asked the Legislature to consider restoring funding for the state’s Basic Health Plan, which serves about 86,000 low-income Washington residents; hospice services for the dying; and maternity care for at-risk mothers.
Most of those programs would be eliminated under the all-cuts budget the governor released in December. But Gregoire said her goal is to restore $750 million in program cuts identified in that budget, while cutting almost $1 billion. She was scheduled to present a detailed budget to the Senate Ways and Means Committee late Tuesday afternoon.
Among other efficiencies, she said she has proposed the elimination of 78 boards and commissions, the realignment of one-third of the state’s 64 small agencies, and the closure or partial closure of 10 state institutions, including Larch Corrections Center in Clark County. Those institutions “may be an important fixture in a community, but are no longer cost-effective,” or in some cases their services can be provided more effectively elsewhere, she said.
The governor also released a plan prompted by the loss of seven law enforcement officers in the past two months, including four Lakewood police officers who were shot and killed at a Lakewood-area coffee shop Nov. 29. Maurice Clemmons, the prime suspect in the shooting, was a fugitive from Arkansas with a lengthy criminal record. He was shot and killed by a lone police officer after a two-day manhunt.
Gregoire’s plan would strengthen the state’s mental health laws, increase the sentencing tools available to prosecutors, and give more weight to law enforcement and criminal histories when making commitment decisions.
Gregoire said the citizens of Washington expect their elected officials to fix the state’s budget crisis and create new jobs. She noted that in 2009, about 475,000 Washington residents applied for unemployment benefits, many for the first time.
“For all of us who are called to public service, I would suggest that now is the time for leadership — it is the most important time to serve,” she said. “In the best of times, people forget legislative sessions. In the worst of times, history shows decisiveness is what is remembered.”
Kathie Durbin: 360-735-4523 or kathie.durbin@columbian.com.
