SEATTLE (AP) — While unveiling a list of possible budget cuts to deal with a $2 billion budget shortfall, Gov. Chris Gregoire bashed Wall Street and left the door open for taxes.
The shift to populous, national rhetoric was a change for the Democrat, as was her seeming willingness to at least consider tax hikes to help the state deal with the budget deficit.
The change in tone was welcomed by some of Gregoire’s fellow Democrats and liberal allies. They had complained the two-term governor had been too willing to cut spending to help deal with the effects of the Great Recession.
Some Democrats hope to send a tax package to voters after the special session.
But Republicans say that taxes aren’t the way to fix the budget problem.
