Gov. Gregoire responds to budget ideas posted on website

For Immediate Release: August 26, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today began posting video responses to the most popular budget suggestions offered recently on her budget ideas web site.

�As I said when we unveiled this web site, I want staff at the Office of Financial Management as well as members of the executive budget panel to review each and every idea,� Gregoire said. �I�ve been taking a look at them as well, and want those who have participated to know that we�re taking those ideas seriously.�

Visitors of the website submitted nearly 2,000 ideas, posted nearly 5,600 comments and cast 137,000 votes to weigh in on the suggestions.

Gregoire�s responses can be found on the state�s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/washingtongovernment, as well as on the governor�s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/govgregoire. Responses will be posted periodically, with the first response posted this morning.

OFM will also begin providing written comments to many of the suggestions receiving the most votes. The feedback will be shared on the governor�s budget webpage at http://governor.wa.gov/priorities/budget/default.asp.

Facing a $3 billion deficit for the 2011-2013 biennium, Gregoire has initiated a process to transform Washington�s budget � which included soliciting ideas from Washingtonians. Along with the interactive website, more than 1,200 citizens attended a series of public hearings around the state to learn more about the budget process and share input and individual strategies.

Although the interactive website is now closed, the public can still share their ideas for transforming the budget through the governor�s website at http://governor.wa.gov/contact/default.asp.