Excerpted from Washington State Budget 101:

The recession has taken a big toll on jobs and family incomes – and on public revenue. The state has mostly cut services, not raised revenue, resulting in $10.5 billion in cuts. (Note: Federal aid in 2009-10, rainy day funds, and fee increases prevented deeper cuts.)

Cuts from 2009-11 include:

• K-12 education: Elimination of student achievement funds & teacher cost of living adjustments; 7,000 fewer K-12 employees.
• Higher ed: 4-yr college funding reduced 40%, 2-yr reduced 20%, with large tuition increases.
• Health care: 60,000 cut from Basic Health.
• Children’s services: Fewer children receiving health, childcare, and other services.
• Elder care: Reduced home-care hours for vulnerable seniors and disabled.
• Cuts to state agencies: Consolidation of state agencies, elimination of jobs.
• State employees: Mandatory furloughs and higher contributions for health insurance.