With state legislators facing a $2.5 billion budget deficit in the 2003-05 biennium, on the day Governor Gary Locke presented his budget proposal, a Seattle-based think tank announced it will also present a list of options for balancing the budget.

Locke’s budget, which was developed using a new Priorities of Government system, defines clear priorities for government, and evaluating spending on a system-wide basis.

“While the Governor’s approach is an innovative and welcome start, eliminating the deficit will require a fundamental change in the way state government works,” said Washington Policy Center President Dann Mead Smith. “In an upcoming study, policy analyst Eric Montague will present a number of practical, commonsense recommendations to reduce the deficit, improve the efficiency and flexibility of state agencies, and maintain services at a high level without raising taxes.”

“While implementing these reforms may not solve the entire state budget shortfall, said Mead Smith, “they will help ensure we do not face similar situations in the future. Without long-term reforms that address the underlying problems with state spending, Washington taxpayers will be forced to shoulder an ever-increasing tax burden.”

Some of the Washington Policy Center Budget Recommendations:

• Restore I-601 limits on future state spending growth.
• Adopt a flexible freeze on state hiring.
• Eliminate positions that have been vacant for more than a six months.
• Sell buildings and other real estate properties.
• Allow State Auditor to conduct comprehensive performance audits.
• Remove inflated prevailing wage costs for school and highway construction.
• Give agency heads immediate authority to contract out state services.
• Privatize state-run liquor stores.
• Improve economic competitiveness by tax and regulatory reform.