Dahlquist Speaks Out About Passage of House Budget

Shortly after House lawmakers passed a $32.4 billion two-year budget Saturday that would cut $4.4 billion in spending, state Rep. Cathy Dahlquist (R-Enumclaw), released the following statement in a press release, indicating why she voted against the measure:

“There is some good news: The state is expecting to collect a record amount of revenue, more than $32 billion, or nearly $4 billion more in taxes than the 2009-11 budget. And, the Democrat budget is balanced, having spent the additional revenue. However, it does not address ongoing program expenses that we cannot afford; it uses gimmicks that I would not have done, such as $707 million in one-time fund transfers to pay for ongoing programs; gambles on a one-time lump sum of $300 million to lease the state liquor distribution center; and adds $553 million in new and increased fees to balance the budget. We simply cannot sustain a budget that is propped up with gimmicks and higher fees. We need to spend within our means.

“What particularly concerned me were the cuts to K-12 education. House Republicans offered an alternative budget plan that would have maintained $30 million more in education funding along with $6 million for the school lunch program. I believe that if we want to give kids the best shot at a successful life, we need to make education funding a top priority. Unfortunately, the budget that passed today didn’t do that.

“The House Republican budget proposal also retained funding for the developmentally disabled employment program. House Democrat’s budget cut this employment program and funded a new government daycare program for our disabled citizens.

“The budget should be about priorities: education, public safety and caring for the most vulnerable. Today’s budget doesn’t meet that standard, so I could not support it.”