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Up Front: State budget deficit is $2 billion and growing

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by KING 5 News

Posted on November 15, 2009 at 10:58 AM

Updated Friday, Nov 27 at 1:55 PM

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(Editor's note: Originally posted 11/15/09)

Just six months ago, state lawmakers managed to balance a budget with a $9 billion deficit.  There were deep cuts to safety net programs, like General Assistance Unemployable and Basic Health.  State universities and prisons also took big cuts.  Now Gov. Gregoire says revenue forecasts show another $2 billion deficit, and that figure could grow by January when the legislative session begins.

No doubt there will be more cuts in programs, but Gregoire has suggested she would listen to proposal for tax increases.  Last session she ruled them out. 

So what do you think?  Is it time to raise taxes to help balance the  state budget?

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taxcasinos said on January 10, 2010 at 9:57 AM

reminder: we receive no tax revenue from any washington state casino thanks to christine spearheading the agreements....while she receives over $600,000.00 donated to her campaign fund from the tribes tax the casino's, christine....tax the casino's...not my chocolate. ronpaul.com

len59 said on January 11, 2010 at 12:35 AM

Washington is providing state benefits (like welfare, free medical and food stamps) to hundreds (possibly thousands) of people who are NOT in this country legally. Some of them are also working with a false social security number. It would help to lower the deficit if proof of legal status were required to obtain ANY state benefits. The education system spends large amounts of money for English as a second language to hundreds (probably thousands) of children who are in this country illegally. I am all for English as a second language classes and would encourage them for any person that is in this country legally. Our tax dollars are paying for people here illegally to have children, and those children are then US citizens. Washington is one of only 5 states that does not require proof of legal status in this country to obtain state benefits, identification and driver licenses. How much money could be saved...