Tell Legislators: Adopt a Balanced Budget Approach

What does death by a billion cuts look like? Governor Christine Gregoire just showed us, and it's brutal. She released her proposed budget, responding to the bleak financial situation caused by the recession with dramatic cuts that hurt millions of people and put our economic future at risk.

This budget wipes out much of the progress we've made in Washington over the last ten years. Compounding the billions in cuts already made in last year's legislative session, it eliminates the Basic Health Plan and critical services for the elderly. It swells class sizes and makes steep across-the-board cuts to our colleges and universities.

Our shared values are on the chopping block. Our quality of life and our future are at risk. And to us, there's only one response that makes any sense.

We're fighting for the future we believe in - for the values, families and commitment to the hope and progress that make Washington special. We're joining with a big coalition of groups across Washington to launch a campaign for a balanced approach to the state's financial problems - for an approach that includes new revenues as well as cuts.

The first step is to send a clear and powerful message to our legislators that the devastating consequences of the Governor's all-cuts proposal are unacceptable. Please join thousands of people across Washington who are urging their legislators to fight for a fair and sensible budget. Click on the link below to tell your legislators we are counting on them to take a balanced approach to our state's financial problems.

http://www.fusewashington.org/page/speakout/budget2010fuse

The Governor agrees with us. In her own words, "Let me be very clear: I do not support this budget. As required, it is balanced. For me, it is unjust...I realize the future this budget will create. It does not reflect my values nor do I believe it reflects the values of my fellow citizen's...We need a combination of reduced funding for services and raising revenue."

Her proposal adds another $1.7 billion in cuts to the $3.6 billion in cuts from last year's budget, laying the foundation for a bleak future. Services like health care, education and environmental protection are already in trouble because of the recession - and the people who rely on them are suffering. Steep additional cuts will create a crisis for Washington families and undermine the state's recovery.

It's time for a smarter and more compassionate approach to coping with the impacts of the recession. An approach where we protect things that matter like schools and health care, and rebuilds our economy.

The all-cuts budget will strike at the core of our social safety net, and reduce Washington's prosperity for years to come. The consequences of an all-cuts budget include:

• 100,000 people will lose their health insurance.
• 85,00 seniors will lose prescription drug assistance.
• 12,000 low-income students will lose financial aid.
• 50,000 pregnant mothers will no longer have maternity support.
• 9,000 mentally ill and disabled people will lose General Assistance income.
• The elimination of state support for all-day kindergarten in high-poverty areas, and funding to send more than 1,500 3-year-olds to preschool.