Gov. Gregoire Responds to House Budget Chair's Proposal

Gov. Gregoire Responds to House Budget Chair's Proposal

Gov. Christine Gregoire said today the biennial budget proposal released by House budget writer Helen Sommers takes positive steps to help kids in school and provide them with health care, expand access to higher education, and keep the state economy growing strong.

Rep. Sommers, the Seattle Democrat who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, unveiled a 2005-07 operating budget plan that differs with a budget passed by the Senate, but is in line with Gregoire's own budget principles.

"The House budget invests in kids, provides health care for children and keeps Washington on a path to economic success," Gregoire said. She noted that the House budget contains no general tax increase, which could hurt the state's economic recovery.

"While there are differences between my budget proposal, the Senate plan and the House proposal, I am sure that the Legislature and I can come to an agreement and conclude this session of the Legislature on time," Gregoire said. "I look forward to working with leaders of both chambers to produce a budget that achieves our goals in education and health care."

Once approved by the House Appropriations Committee, the House budget committee proposal could be approved by the full House by this weekend. The next step would be negotiations between the House and Senate on a final budget package. The last day of the regular legislative session is April 24.

http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=48&newsType=1