After years of reckless spending by Democrats, Washington’s budget shortfall has ballooned to as much as $15 billion, and Gov. Bob Ferguson is at least acknowledging the problem. His plan trims about $7 billion, including state worker furloughs and cutting vacant positions—a start, but nowhere near enough to close the gap. Meanwhile, Democrats in the Legislature are already salivating over tax hikes, throwing out ideas like a wealth tax, business payroll tax, and new taxes on cigarettes and gun sales.
Ferguson insists, “We’re not going to tax our way out of this.” But with Democrats in control of both chambers, that’s exactly where this is headed. His budget team admits that nearly $4 billion of the shortfall comes from the generous pay raises state employees just received—yet somehow, taxpayers are supposed to cough up even more to keep the spending spree going.
Republicans have been warning about this fiscal disaster for years, and they’re ready to find real savings to fix it. If Ferguson is serious about cutting, he’ll need to stand up to his own party’s tax-hike frenzy. Otherwise, Washingtonians should brace for yet another round of “progressive revenue options” that hit their wallets hard. Read more at the Washington State Standard.
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