KING

OLYMPIA, Wash. - The first day of a legislative session is usually just known for ceremonies and oaths, but not this year. Minutes after the opening session adjourned, lawmakers started talking about the budget.

Last month Gov. Christine Gregoire proposed her solution to the state's deficit, which some say could be over $7 billion soon.

The governor came up with a plan to cut state spending, to everything from schools to health care, without raising taxes.

But that's just her proposal.

"The legislature has to help turn this around and look out for people," said Sen. Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, the Senate Majority Leader.

Brown says the budget and this session must be about protecting jobs and the economy.

She says cuts need to made first, but says tax increases might be part of the budget she fights for.

"Nothing is off the table, including looking at tax breaks that some individuals and companies currently enjoy. We'll have to compare the value of those in terms of the value of education, higher education, health care and other important human services," she said.

"You can't quite possibly think it helps to grow the economy by further infringing upon it in the form of new taxes," said Sen. Joseph Zarelli, the ranking Republican on the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee.

He says lawmakers should look at this deficit as an opportunity.

"I think this opens a different kind of light to see how we solve problems, maybe with less government and less-costly approaches,” he said.

While the budget will get a lot of attention, it's not the only issue to be discussed during this 105-day session.

Brown says she plans on introducing a state stimulus package and wants to look at creating more green jobs in the state.