Posted on 08/06/2008 6:15:22 AM PDT by hripka
Gov. Chris Gregoire did Monday what families and businesses have been doing for months: She ordered cuts in travel and buying gasoline, a hiring freeze and a lid on major purchases for most state agencies.
The effort is expected to save $90 million, making up for an unexpected $60 million drop in revenue in June. The lost income came from a slowdown in the housing market and lower business taxes than expected.
"I am asking each of you to step up your efforts to increase savings. I ask that you be creative and take action now," Gregoire said in a memo to state employees. "The high price of energy is hurting our businesses and our families. Anything we can do to reduce fuel consumption will ease the burden on our budget and on taxpayers."
The order provides exemptions for public safety agencies, including the State Patrol and prisons.
The order to cut expenses involves only departments directly under the Democratic governor's control. But in her letter, Gregoire, who is wrapping up her first term as governor, said she is also asking others, including elected officials and college presidents, to make similar cuts.
"The governor is clear that we not do anything to impact public service or public safety," said spokesman Pearse Edwards.
The measures suggest the governor might be looking ahead to a serious deficit in the next budget. Gregoire and her staff have disputed the number, but some budget minders say the gap could reach $2.7 billion.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattlepi.nwsource.com ...
There is a way to cut almost any state agency or department in half in about three years, with the employees cooperating enthusiastically and willingly.
Most government agencies propose their own budget for their next fiscal year, and it is almost always larger than the current budget. Most agencies make sure that the current year's budget has been spent by the end of the fiscal year. They don't want to lose their current year's funding. There is no incentive for savings under this system.
There should be a new budgeting policy for each department. The new policy would take any unspent budgeted funds at the end of the fiscal year and split them with the people in the department. Then, the lower budget figure would be used for the next fiscal year, with, again, any unspent surplus being distributed to the employees who made the surplus possible. Personal interest would have every employee watching for any possible waste. Rretiring employees would not be replaced, and the hiring of new personnel would be virtually eliminated.
No money would be saved the first year, but from then on every department would have continuously lowering budgets.
Gee I’m surprised the article didn’t refer to her as the fraudulently elected Governor Gregoir.
Canadian socialist governor gregoire, you’re foresaking the unions. Be careful, be very careful. Unions and leftists marxist have ruined michigan and in particular metro detroit. Used to live there. What a sorry a city.
Have any of you guys noticed that it seems like the states in the most financial trouble are the same ones that pass the idiotic statewide smoker bans? TOO ...BAD! Sink, Washington state. Thank your wonderful (fraudulently elected-keep recounting until we win)socialist governor.
If it doesn't impact public service or public safety, get rid of it.
LOL. I bet you will have a lot of people clamoring to become a government employee if that model is used. Would you have any performance related measures to ensure that the government employees are not trying to fatten their own wallets at the expense of those receiving services?
She ordered cuts in travel and buying gasoline, a hiring freeze and a lid on major purchases for most state agencies.
Maybe if the fedl government would do a little of that, the government would be in better shape, just maybe.
That's what happens when you drive business out of state with your high taxes and assinine environmental rules.
Over the last 4 years, the revenue to the State of Washington has GROWN by 18%. Our population has grown by 6%. But State spending has GROWN by 33%, and State payroll by 12%.
She took a balanced budget and a $1 billion rainy day fund and turned it into a $2.7 billion (at least) crater, in just 4 years. For a State with just 6 million people.
That’s a reversal of $3,500 per person, in just 4 years...
I wonder if she’ll begin with cuts to her own staff. I read she increased it by 2/3(?)in 3 years, I don’t remember the exact percentage.
I can only speak for what I see happening in ‘Rat controlled Maine where pretty much the same scenario is playing out. Our governor says it’s Bush’s fault...
The socialists always way overpredict their revenues so they can keep growing their precious programs (like The Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Universe!) to guarantee that the parasites "employed" by said programs keep voting their overlords into office yea unto eternity.
The tick's bigger than the dog here, but the March to Utopia continues uninterrupted.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.