Legislative Tracker

10th District lawmaker is assistant ranking member on the House Ways and Means Committee

The following is a statement from Rep. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, on the April 12 passage of the final supplemental state operating budget. The 10th District lawmaker voted “no” on Senate Bill 6444.
“The operating budget is demanding more financially from those who are struggling in these tough times, while not making any significant reforms to state government or the budget process. This budget is raising taxes on people who do not have jobs to give pay increases to state employees who do have jobs. This is unsustainable and unfair, and it will lead to even worse problems in the next budget cycle.
“Our state must live within its means – much like responsible families and small businesses do every day. This can be done by creating jobs, prioritizing state government and reforming our budget process. I have put forth solutions to accomplish these goals, but majority-party leaders have chosen to go an irresponsible direction and preserve the status quo in Olympia.”

Quick facts:

The operating budget is the largest of the state’s three budgets, including the capital and transportation budgets, and funds K-12 schools, higher education, corrections and public safety programs, government and judicial operations, and health and human services. It is on a two-year cycle, with midcourse adjustments made through a supplemental version in even-numbered years.
The state operating budget has a $2.8 billion shortfall. The Democrats and governor plan to close this spending gap through:

• $757 million in new tax increases (to view all of the Democrats’ new tax increases, click here);
• $661 million in spending reductions;
• $633 million in federal funds;
• $328 million in transfers from other accounts;
• $256 million in reserves ($229 million from rainy-day fund); and
• $178 million in cost shifts to other accounts.

With the suspension of the Taxpayer Protection Act (Initiative 960) through Senate Bill 6130 in the regular legislative session, Democrats only needed a simple majority (50 state representatives and 25 state senators) to pass new tax increases. No Republican in the House or Senate voted for Senate Bill 6130.

The 2010 regular legislative session ended March 11. Gov. Chris Gregoire called a special legislative session so majority Democrats could finalize their state operating budget and tax increase proposals. The 30-day special legislative session is scheduled to end April 13 at an additional cost of nearly $250,000 to taxpayers.

Rep. Barbara Bailey represents the 10th District.