Contact Information

  • Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gregoire seeks public input on budget priorities

For Immediate Release: November 14, 2008

Gregoire adds new public input feature on website � www.governor.wa.gov

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today is urging Washingtonians to visit her website and offer suggestions as she works to fill a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall.

�Just like Washington families, state government is facing serious economic challenges,� Gregoire said. �Unfortunately, we don�t have the money to fund all of the many programs and projects we have supported in the past. We�re all going to have to sacrifice, but it�s also important to preserve core government services and to take full advantage of the strengths of our community organizations and the private sector.�

All Washingtonians are encouraged to visit Gregoire�s homepage at www.governor.wa.gov and submit their own cost-saving strategies. The governor is also looking for suggestions to reform state government and to provide services more efficiently and cost-effectively. In addition, the governor wants to know what government functions and programs might be better handled in the private sector or the nonprofit arena.

�If you know of an effective strategy to significantly trim costs, I want to hear from you,� Gregoire said. �It is becoming clear that we will need to cut spending and rethink the way we provide services to responsibly balance the next budget.�

Gregoire has already taken significant steps to cut the projected $3.2 billion dollar deficit nearly in half, including:

  • Placing a freeze on hiring, out-of-state travel, personal service contracts and equipment purchases.


  • Across-the-board cuts in state agencies, exempting certain programs in education, public safety and the protection of vulnerable individuals.


  • Suspending the Family Leave program.


The governor plans to unveil the 2009-2011 budget next month.



For more information, visit Gregoire�s homepage at www.governor.wa.gov