Buck says "reality budget" a good fit for 24th District

Olympia, WA (4/28/01) State Rep. Jim Buck says the bipartisan budget proposal passed by the full House today addresses concerns and priorities of Washington s coastal communities and the Olympic Peninsula better than versions proposed by Gov. Gary Locke and the Senate. Reflecting the 49-49 tie in the evenly divided House, the budget won approval on a bipartisan vote of 54-42..

Buck, a member of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, said concessions were made on both sides of the aisle, but what he termed a "reality budget" addresses immediate demands brought on by lean times and recent disasters, while maintaining a focus on long-term priorities.

"In addition to tax and revenue limitations and predictable political differences, the budget-drafting process has been heavily impacted by a slowing economy, energy shortages, rising health care costs, and the aftermath of the Nisqually earthquake," said Buck, R-Joyce. "That said, I believe we crafted a budget that is both sustainable in the long-term and makes responsible use of available resources to meet Washington s most pressing needs. I think the Republican and Democrat co-chairs of the committee did a great job forging a solid budget compromise."

Buck said the proposed 2001-2003 operating budget also addresses specific priorities of the people of the 24th District, including continued funding for ferry operations, vision services for senior citizens, increased pay for nursing home employees, and salary increases for teachers and state employees.

"The $30 million earmarked for ferry operations is $10 million less than the ferry system received in the last budget, but it s better than the $20 million proposed by the Senate," he said.

Unlike the governor s budget, which recommended a cut of over $4 million, the House plan would not reduce funding for adult vision services. Further, the House proposal would provide pay increases of 2.2 percent and 2.5 percent over the next two years for long-term care providers.

State-funded pay raises for teachers and education staff guaranteed under Initiative 732 are fully funded. State employees not covered under Initiative 732 would get raises of 3 percent and 2.6 percent over the next two years. That is less than offered in the Senate budget, but more than offered by the governor.

The House budget provides nearly $800 million in new spending for K-12 education an increase of 8.2 percent. Per-pupil spending would be increased by $169 per student.

"That s not a huge increase, but it s not a reduction either. We know there are those who wanted more, but by any measure, education is a winner in this budget," Buck said.

The budget also maintains its investment in salmon recovery, allotting $21.4 million for restoration projects, scientific and technical assistance to local recovery efforts, monitoring of the progress of the salmon-recovery objectives, and funding to continue implementation of the Forest and Fish timber practices law.

Other elements of the House-passed budget include:

$76.4 million to assist cities and towns hit by the loss of car-tab revenue to protect essential services.

$10.3 million for reforms in water management policies.

3,679 new enrollments for community colleges and universities.

$10 million for Promise Scholarships and $16 million in state need grants.

$27 million for child care for low-income working families.

"Among this budget s major strengths is the fact that is doesn't rely on one-time money from the Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters pension fund (LEOFF), a proposal that I have opposed strongly," Buck said. "We've also maintained an $800 million reserve account to protect taxpayers in the event of an unforeseen emergency or economic downturn. Overall, it strikes the right balance for the citizens of Washington. There s heavy lifting ahead to find common ground with the Senate, but our proposal reflects some tough realities."