60% of Washington’s budget (read: K-12 education and Medicare) is both constitutionally and legally protected from cuts. That means the projected $5 billion revenue shortfall in Washington’s 2011-13 budget will be carved out of $14 billion — a 35% cut. But legislators have another choice.
By putting tax exemptions and preferences — now worth $6.5 billion — under the microscope, state elected officials can prevent massive cuts to our public colleges and universities, ensure continued health care for low-income workers, keep parks and recreation programs open, and maintain other public priorities.
The League of Education Voters has released a handy new tool that allows you to balance the budget with a mix of spending cuts, new revenue options and the closure of numerous tax exemptions. And EOI has released an updated list of over $4 billion in budget-balancing recommendations.
So, how would you balance Washington’s budget?
More To Read
March 24, 2023
Victory! Washington Takes a Critical Step Towards Balancing our Tax Code
Washington state supreme court upholds the capital gains tax
February 15, 2023
Podcast: Getting to Lower Health Care Costs in Washington
EOI's Sam Hatzenbeler joins Washington's Indivisible Podcast to discuss our state's health care costs crisis and what the legislature can do to solve it
February 10, 2023
Thirty years of FMLA, how many more till we pass paid leave for all?
The U.S. is overdue for a federal paid leave policy