From the Director – State Budget Crisis: Cities also Suffering, Change is Needed

The Governor is about to release her budget for the 2009 – 2011 biennium. It must be released by December 20 and we understand she is attempting to present it a couple days early. She is crafting the State’s major policy document with a reported $5.1 billion dollar deficit that most believe will grow. And she has been clear; this budget will be developed without tax increases.

She called me into her office last week along with Eric Johnson, Executive Director of the Washington State Association of Counties, to discuss the upcoming budget, likely infrastructure help from the federal government and most importantly her thoughts on the State and local government partnership. The meeting was brief but productive and I hope the first of many.

The Governor fully understands that local governments are also suffering and she is mindful of the impacts of reduced State funding on cities and counties. State resources are expected to be tight for a number of years and direct State aid for local governments will be tough to secure. She believes now is the time to fully review the role of state government including the state and local government partnership. She has already begun the State government review and will follow with a review of local government responsibilities and the means by which the State assists local governments. She questioned the need for all those "strings" attached to state aid – music to our ears. She was sincere and serious. Fewer resources simply mandate such reviews and now is the time to significantly change the business of governments.

Cities welcome the discussion and AWC will push to ensure it is held. Please do the same with your legislators before they come to Olympia. Comprehensive change will not be completed during the upcoming session or biennium but we can start. State assistance is needed but so are local tools and flexibility. Let’s remove the unnecessary oversight, requirements and mandates. Let’s allow you as city officials to work with your citizens to provide the services they need and expect.

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