AWB: Governor’s Budget is Too Much of a Good Thing

December 29, 2006

OLYMPIA, WA — Although the Association of Washington Business (AWB) supports many of the initiatives in the budget unveiled by Gov. Chris Gregoire yesterday, AWB believes the governor spends too much and leaves too little in reserve.

“The state cannot afford to spend more than it’s taking in,” said AWB President Don Brunell. “It’s not sustainable. With this spending plan, the governor’s budget office shows the state facing a $650 million deficit by the end of the next budget cycle. We can’t afford that.”

Brunell added that AWB endorses the governor’s call for a constitutionally-protected rainy day fund, a long-standing priority of the business group, and her plan to eliminate the “gain sharing” pension enhancement. AWB also continues to support efforts to improve math and science education and to increase access to high demand programs in our colleges and universities.

“By proposing a constitutional amendment to secure a state rainy day fund, Gov. Gregoire shows her commitment to fiscal responsibility,” Brunell said. “I’m just concerned that with this budget, the rains will come too soon.”

 

AWB is Washington's oldest and largest statewide business association. Formed in 1904, its 6,000 members employ more than 650,000 workers.  AWB also acts as the state's chamber of commerce and the umbrella organization for more than 130 trade and professional organizations. While AWB's membership includes the state’s major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, more than 85 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people, and one-third of our members hire fewer than 10.