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Budget solutions for legislators Seven steps to eliminate the deficit Washington is facing a potential budget deficit of $2 billion and state legislators are actively soliciting recommendations on how to resolve the state's financial woes. Recently, EFF was asked for specific suggestions on how to make delivery of government services more efficient, what services to cut, and how to meet the needs of people in communities who truly benefit from the services that end up cut or reduced. In order to effectively offer solutions, the true scope of the problem must be realized. News reports focus on a $1.25 billion deficit when the extent of the problem is actually $2 billion. Look at it two ways: Add the $761 million appropriated from the reserves last January to the $1.25 billion stated deficit, OR subtract the estimated 2001-2003 revenue of $21,208 million from the estimated expenditures of $23,217 million ($22,783 million budget plus the projected $434 million supplemental budget needed in 2002). Either way, it's a $2 billion problem. If state leaders only deal with the $1.25 billion deficit, the bow wave for the 2003-2005 budget cycle will be large. EFF details a seven step process necessary to eliminate the deficit while avoiding future deficits. To view these recommendations, visit our web site: www.effwa.org We welcome your question and comments! Contact: Bob Williams, President, at (360) 956-3482 or effwa@effwa.org / Jason Mercier, Deputy Communications Director, jmercier@effwa.org. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. [Ref. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml] |