Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 16, 2003
Contact:  Michael Marchand or Kirsten Kendrick, Governor’s Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Ed Penhale, Office of Financial Management, 360-902-0619

Gov. Gary Locke’s Statement on House Democratic Budget

Gov. Gary Locke today issued the following statement on the unveiling of the House Democratic budget:

“I appreciate that the budget the House Democrats have produced follows the priorities of government I set out earlier this year. This budget supports funding for many critical services, especially health care for children, and still reduces expenditures by $1.6 billion in this very challenging budget year.

“I am very encouraged that the House Democratic proposal focuses on the needs of our public schools, colleges and universities, and on our most vulnerable citizens, especially children.

“I also am pleased that the proposal contains funding to launch the Washington Education Trust Fund with a substantial down payment. This will help us stabilize and improve our public schools, colleges and universities.

“I value the hard work the House has done to fashion this proposal. While I appreciate that the House proposed a modest sales tax increase, a sales tax increase is not my preference. I support their use of sin taxes, closing tax loopholes and the expansion of the state lottery to restore some of the deep budget cuts in education and health care.

“It’s now crunch time. We have less than a week and a half in the regular legislative session, and we must now all work hard to adjourn on time and complete the people’s business.”

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