Gov. Gregoire unveils new budget ideas website

For Immediate Release: July 19, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced the launch of an interactive website that allows citizens to share, comment and vote on budget ideas. The most highly rated ideas by viewers will rise to the top of the list and be considered by budget writers.

The website is one tool the governor is using to develop the state�s 2011�13 spending plan in the process she calls �Transforming Washington�s Budget.�

�Closing our state�s budget gap requires innovative thinking as well as making some tough decisions,� Gregoire said. �This interactive website gives people an opportunity to share ideas and engage in a discussion about what ideas might work best for us. I�m eager to hear what people have to tell us.�

Ideas will be posted between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The site will be moderated so that profane or vulgar postings will not be accepted.

Earlier this summer, the governor announced her plan for �Transforming Washington�s Budget� through a number of steps, including the formation of a committee of leaders from across the state to serve as an advisory and sounding board. In addition, she is layering a series of eight questions on top of the budget system known as Priorities of Government, or POG, to identify the most essential state services, whether they are being delivered in the most effective and cost-efficient way, and whether the state or another entity should provide the service.

The public is invited to share ideas at transformwabudget.ideascale.com.

For more information about transforming Washington�s budget and public budget hearings, visit http://www.governor.wa.gov/priorities/budget/default.asp.