The following letter was sent to each of the America In Solidarity pledge signers in response to the proposed cuts by Governor Gregoire in her proposed budget. Currently, an estimated $5 billion must be cut in the next biennium.
America In Solidarity’s Statement on Proposed Washington State Budget for 2009-2011
As a deeper recession looms, unemployment is likely to rise and conditions grow harsher for workers, more and more families are going to need the social safety net that government can provide. Services like public health care, unemployment benefits and affordable housing will be crucial as our economy worsens. Yet, with a budget deficit nearing $6 billion, cuts will have to be made. How does one choose between education or health care? Needed transportation infrastructure or housing? Closing parks or keeping felons off the streets? Mandated raises or cutting positions?
America In Solidarity has been actively pushing for progressive health care reform, worker’s rights and living wages for the working families of Washington. We recognize there will be some difficult choices that need to be made and we want to emphasize the importance of keeping as much as that safety net as possible, protect jobs and keep families healthy. Several of our pledge signers have asked for input on this budget and how we would prioritize in wake of the proposed cuts. Our Executive Board recently agreed upon the following:
• Protect health care for kids. The State of Washington spends in excess of $25 billion to educate our kids, their future and ours depends on education. Their future also depends on being healthy. The proposed cuts to Apple Health for Kids is unacceptable and Washington state still needs to make strides to give every child affordable health care by 2012. Any steps backward must be avoided and this should receive our highest priority.
• Do not gut the Basic Health Plan. As unemployment rises and companies cut benefits, more people will need to be enrolled in the Basic Health Plan. When people are enrolled it will allow for preventive medicine and less emergency room visits, both of which reduce overall costs. The proposed 42% cut in the Basic Health Plan, if anything, should be a raise of 42%.
• Jobs before raises. There may be a time to freeze wages, even if previous agreements mandate increases. America In Solidarity proposes that state employees and their unions accept a freeze, as long as agreed-upon increases will be factored into future budgets (ie. The 2011-2013 budget accounts for 3% increases instead of 2%) when our economy corrects itself. This means all state employees, including managers.
• Reexamine Transportation. While Health Care and Human Services is looking at a 12.2% cut, there are some glaring costly items in the transportation budget. For example, while purchasing 460 vans for carpooling will no doubt relieve congestion, the $70 million price tag could provide a lot of jobs, health care or services to working families in need. We also stress that money provided in the transportation budget be used in “shovel-ready” projects that provide jobs now, whereas projects like the Alaska Way Viaduct may take money, but not provide any jobs in this biennium.
• Jobs, jobs, jobs. Though a large-scale program that creates thousands of jobs will only come from the Federal government, the State of Washington and local governments can take measures to have projects ready for implementation. Grants and funding need to be available to have permits completed, plans drawn up and projects ready to go. This will help accelerate our recovery and ultimately boost our economy.
America In Solidarity recognizes the unfortunate dilemma the State of Washington faces. Perhaps, this letter should be about reexamining the way our state collects revenue and implementing the suggestions made by the Gates Commission in 2002. Until then, tough choices will be made and we hope that our elected officials keep focus on the needs of working families. Please contact our office at 253-471-1123 or email me at todd@americasolidarity.org with any questions.
In Solidarity,
Todd Iverson
America In Solidarity
