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News & ArtsThursday, October 27, 2011
Olympia Gregoire: "I Haven't Done the Work"
Posted by Goldy on Thu, Oct 27, 2011 at 3:24 PM
As Eli reported earlier, Governor Chris Gregoire has released another one of those worst case scenario budget proposals today, in which old people are ripped from their dialysis machines, preemies shiver to death on the floor as their incubators are stolen out of neonatal wards, and our most disadvantaged students are systematically slaughtered to make school lunch taco filling for their surviving classmates.
Or something like that. Another $545 million from education, the elimination of both Basic Health and Disability Lifeline, hundreds of millions more cut from programs serving Washington's neediest citizens... it ain't pretty. Eli calls it "kabuki theater," but honestly, without some significant new revenue thrown into the mix, the supplemental budget that comes out of the coming special session will look different, but no less austere.
Which sadly brings me to my main observation coming out of both today's announcement and the past few years of perpetual budget crisis—Gov. Gregoire's complete and utter lack of leadership on the most pressing issue of the day: Revenue.
Sure, Gov. Gregoire can complain all she wants about "the reckless behavior on Wall Street," and "a Congress that simply can’t get the job done," and all of that's true. She didn't create this crisis. And she didn't do anything to prolong it. The revenue collapse that has crippled our government's ability to address our most basic needs was not her fault. But her failure to show an ounce of leadership on the one and only thing capable of mitigating it, is.
When asked at today's press conference introducing her all-cuts budget proposal about what revenue options she might be thinking about, Gov. Gregoire was blunt. "I'm not thinking," Gregoire told reporters. "I have not thought about revenue."
Incredulous, reporters pushed on, but Gov. Gregoire held her ground: "I know you want me to talk about revenue. I can't. I can't, because I haven't done the work."
Okay. I'll take her at her word. And therein lies the problem, for nobody in Olympia has been willing to do the hard work necessary to lead our state toward the revenue solutions necessary to address even a fraction of our structural deficit, let alone the recession induced shortfalls.
I know, I know... voters don't want new taxes. They've told us that repeatedly. But giving voters what they want isn't leadership, it's following. What we've desperately needed in Olympia these past few years is not just a governor who shares our values and feels our pain, but one who is willing and able to provide the leadership necessary to move public opinion from where it is, to where it needs to be.
I'm not saying that's easy, or even possible. I just would've liked to see the governor try.
1
I would've like to see that, too, but there's a joke about wishing in one hand and shitting in the other that I'm much too dainty to repeat.
I keep flashing back to we voters' resounding rejection of the income tax initiative and embrace of everything Eyman. It doesn't excuse inaction on the part of our electeds, their failure to risk their reelections doing for us what we are so clearly unwilling to do ourselves.
It doesn't excuse it, but it puts it in a certain light, no?
I keep flashing back to we voters' resounding rejection of the income tax initiative and embrace of everything Eyman. It doesn't excuse inaction on the part of our electeds, their failure to risk their reelections doing for us what we are so clearly unwilling to do ourselves.
It doesn't excuse it, but it puts it in a certain light, no?
2
Far too much of this.
Library closures, school furlough day, just throwing up their hands and declaring nothing can be done.
It's depressing.
Library closures, school furlough day, just throwing up their hands and declaring nothing can be done.
It's depressing.
3
This is also cowardly political self interest. If the dems adopt the policies of the republicans during a downturn, when its easy to fall back on. What platform will the challengers ( if any ) campaign on?
meanwhile, you get nothing.
meanwhile, you get nothing.
4
The governor is NOT allowed by law to put forward budget proposals that include revenue streams that do NOT exist. She does NOT have the authority to create new revenues out of thin air. She can advocate for and then sign them into law, but NOT overstep the legislature's responsibility to pass them.
5
What do I have to do to feel cuts? Seriously, haven't noticed a thing yet.
Btw when is it going to be Somalia around here? Mogadishu on the Sound? That's what people keep claiming yet a nice walk around my neighborhood today revealed no untoward signs of Somali-like castrophy. No Technicals. Quite a nice day actually.
Btw when is it going to be Somalia around here? Mogadishu on the Sound? That's what people keep claiming yet a nice walk around my neighborhood today revealed no untoward signs of Somali-like castrophy. No Technicals. Quite a nice day actually.
6
http://dor.wa.gov/Content/AboutUs/Statis…
The Washington Department of Revenue issues a report every four years discussing business tax exemptions; the 2008 report (the most recent) is linked above. In that report, the DoR documented 567 "preference items" (up from 431 in 2000) amounting to $98.5 BILLION dollars in the 2007-2009 biennium. Much of that money is untouchable -- federal lands cannot be taxed, property owned by school districts and public utility districts cannot be taxed, etc. -- but it did identify $14.8 BILLION for that biennium that could be had just by repealing tax exemptions and corporate subsidies. Imagine: $7.4 billion every year, just by ending the give-aways.
We do not need to be cutting education. We do not need to be cutting health care. We do not need to be cutting public safety or job training. The simple fact is that Governor Gregoire and the current members of the Legislature would rather have convicted felons released early and given no supervision than eliminate the B&O deductions that Chase and Bank of America get, or make country clubs pay the same property taxes that everyone else pays. Cutting into corporate profits would likely cut into their reelection funds, after all. Gregoire weeps over the budget? Crocodile tears, that's all they are.
The Washington Department of Revenue issues a report every four years discussing business tax exemptions; the 2008 report (the most recent) is linked above. In that report, the DoR documented 567 "preference items" (up from 431 in 2000) amounting to $98.5 BILLION dollars in the 2007-2009 biennium. Much of that money is untouchable -- federal lands cannot be taxed, property owned by school districts and public utility districts cannot be taxed, etc. -- but it did identify $14.8 BILLION for that biennium that could be had just by repealing tax exemptions and corporate subsidies. Imagine: $7.4 billion every year, just by ending the give-aways.
We do not need to be cutting education. We do not need to be cutting health care. We do not need to be cutting public safety or job training. The simple fact is that Governor Gregoire and the current members of the Legislature would rather have convicted felons released early and given no supervision than eliminate the B&O deductions that Chase and Bank of America get, or make country clubs pay the same property taxes that everyone else pays. Cutting into corporate profits would likely cut into their reelection funds, after all. Gregoire weeps over the budget? Crocodile tears, that's all they are.
7
she's a member of the political class. she doesn't have any interest in maintaining services & at this point even just 'the state' in general. today's political class has only one goal & that is to enable the rich to become ever richer at the expense of the rest of us. she's executing against that goal flawlessly.
8
Gregoire is not a legislator. The legislators--especially the "leadership"--have not pushed for revenue the last few years. It's their job to do it, by voting for a referendum to be put on the ballot in March to allow the people to decide to close some really stupid tax exemptions. Since 1053 passed, that's the ONLY way we'll get revenue--by sending it to the same stupid people who voted for 1053. Of course, that will take some courage on the part of legislators and they apparently have none.
By the way, one of the tax exemptions gives Microsoft the privilege of being taxed as a start-up. Justify that.
By the way, one of the tax exemptions gives Microsoft the privilege of being taxed as a start-up. Justify that.
9
We've known for a couple of decades now that Chris "Don't call me Christine" Gregoire is nothing more than a middling party hack. There really should be no surprise that she's completely caved to the loudest voices in the opposition. It's what middling Dems do best.
10
Hard to lead when you still need a 2/3 majority to pass any revenue increases though the legislature...
12
"I know, I know... voters don't want new taxes. They've told us that repeatedly. But giving voters what they want isn't leadership, it's following."
The idea of a government by the people/for the people is an important part of the foundation of our democracy, isn't it? Are you suggesting we should transition to a monarchy or that the people need to reconsider their political views?
I understand the governor's frustration: people are telling her they don't want higher taxes to sustain expensive government infrastructure, but are unwilling to accept cutbacks.
The idea of a government by the people/for the people is an important part of the foundation of our democracy, isn't it? Are you suggesting we should transition to a monarchy or that the people need to reconsider their political views?
I understand the governor's frustration: people are telling her they don't want higher taxes to sustain expensive government infrastructure, but are unwilling to accept cutbacks.
13
Still not sure why cutting education is such a terrible idea, considering 40 years ago we were getting the same results with 1/3 the inflation-adjusted dollars.
14
@9, Sir_Vic states it the best, no one has ever thought Gregoire was ever really qualified for the job.
Many of us simply wondered whether sorority sister was really any more intelligent than Patty Murray, that other Republican senator.
Many of us simply wondered whether sorority sister was really any more intelligent than Patty Murray, that other Republican senator.
15
To repeat, because most of you would rather just say nasty things about Gregoire:
Gregoire is not a legislator. She's an administrator. The legislators--especially the "leadership"--have not pushed for revenue the last few years. It's their job to do it.
Gregoire is not a legislator. She's an administrator. The legislators--especially the "leadership"--have not pushed for revenue the last few years. It's their job to do it.
16
Agree Greqoire is useless, but there is an article in the current Vanity Fair that points out that California is many years farther down the road of voters repeatedly demanding no taxes and a free pony. When they suddenly got a Governator with no need for a continuing political career, he tried to end run the career pols in the statehouse with a cluster of referenda (initiatives?) to break the deadlock, and the voters pummeled them all. Anyone really believe that WA is that much more enlightened?
18
@16, ScrawneyKayaker, .....
....the low-information voters of Cali were steamrolled by neocon-funded anti-tax initiatives, the same way the PR/advert campaigns in this state are pushing neocon-funded anti-tax and various privatization initiatives.
With the Gates Foundation pushing for the privatization of all education (good riddance to Goodloe-Johnson and her ilk), GMOs everywhere, etc., there is a decided force on their side already.
It remains to be seen just how zero-information the voters here are, but a substantial number of Cali voters (those same ones who voted for Reagan, Proposition 13 and the aforemention Gubinator) have relocated to WA and are still voting the same, according to demographic studies in the Puget Sound region.
I have little faith in the future......
....the low-information voters of Cali were steamrolled by neocon-funded anti-tax initiatives, the same way the PR/advert campaigns in this state are pushing neocon-funded anti-tax and various privatization initiatives.
With the Gates Foundation pushing for the privatization of all education (good riddance to Goodloe-Johnson and her ilk), GMOs everywhere, etc., there is a decided force on their side already.
It remains to be seen just how zero-information the voters here are, but a substantial number of Cali voters (those same ones who voted for Reagan, Proposition 13 and the aforemention Gubinator) have relocated to WA and are still voting the same, according to demographic studies in the Puget Sound region.
I have little faith in the future......
19
Forgot to mention, speaking of GMOs, I hope everyone is aware that the Iraqi constitution makes it illegal for farmers there to save the seeds from their farming, while it directs them to use Monsanto GMOs.
Ditto for their Afghanistan constitution.
Ditto for their Afghanistan constitution.
20
Amen, brother. No leadership whatsoever, in any quarter of the state gov, but most especially in the Gov's office. SO disappointing.
21
@sarah70 #8, #15 - You are right, Gregoire is not a legislator. However, any grade schooler can tell you that the governor does have an essential legislative function: no law can be passed without her consent. Budgets are presented to her as bills, and she has a constitutional responsibility to veto the budget if she believes it harms the state. To excuse Gregoire because "she is not a legislator" is flat out wrong.
23
And yet...we still get plenty of brand new smart highway signs popping up all over.
There is no revenue crisis.
There is no revenue crisis.
24
@bornhere #23 - There is no revenue crisis because were are grossly underfunding primary education, privatizing higher education, eliminating social services such as health care for the poor and job training, and freeing convicted prisoners to let them roam unsupervised.
In Washington, light rail and several billions of dollars worth of useless tunnel are far more important than a healthy, educated populace.
In Washington, light rail and several billions of dollars worth of useless tunnel are far more important than a healthy, educated populace.
25
@24: Bullshit. Not a dime of state money goes to pay for light rail. Local voters chose to tax themselves locally to build a light rails system. It has zero to do with the state budget.
26
@ 24
"...we are grossly underfunding primary education..."
http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/obama-job…
"...we are grossly underfunding primary education..."
http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/obama-job…
27
@22, there is no budget yet. What she put out is not a budget. And when she does put one out, she won't veto it because it's HER budget.
And Bailo @17, an asset tax is not a possibility because of 1053. You know, what you voted on last year. If Legislative leadership won't consider putting out a referendum on corporate tax exemptions, do you REALLY think they're going to do a 2/3rds vote for another tax?
God, you people are just willfully ignorant.
And Bailo @17, an asset tax is not a possibility because of 1053. You know, what you voted on last year. If Legislative leadership won't consider putting out a referendum on corporate tax exemptions, do you REALLY think they're going to do a 2/3rds vote for another tax?
God, you people are just willfully ignorant.
28
She has done a horrible job managing your and my tax dollars, ignoring all the warnings over her past terms. Spend, spend, spend. You shouldn't have squandered money you didn't have in the first place. Nice legacy. Fail.
30
Goldy, isn't the point of your laughable and smelly circus of an occupy movement that the people need a voice? Our voice was loud and clear in rejection of 1098 and support of 1053 (a majority of Wa and King County) the voters in this state clearly do not like public employee unions picking their pocket and using our money to lobby to do it forever. If you want a top-down government take your ass to a shit hole back east where you belong. You can pay "city" income taxes for bankrupt and corrupt government. You'll be right at home.
31
The Governor doesn't manage tax dollars. The Legislature votes on how to spend them. She can only either veto or sign their final legislation (and a budget is legislation).
Say what you will about Gregoire, but keep it factual.
Say what you will about Gregoire, but keep it factual.
32
I'm actually happy with this, the whole thread of comments, the article. Seeing people waking up does make it seem a little less gloomy in the real world.
I know, not really a contribution to the discussion, it's just a personal observation. But, I think the catch-22 of the whole situation has been covered well already. Changing one official won't fix this issue, you need to change as many as you can, and hope the ones you vote for will appoint replacements for those you don't get to vote fore that will do their jobs better.
I know, not really a contribution to the discussion, it's just a personal observation. But, I think the catch-22 of the whole situation has been covered well already. Changing one official won't fix this issue, you need to change as many as you can, and hope the ones you vote for will appoint replacements for those you don't get to vote fore that will do their jobs better.
33
You girls are ignoring a huge Inconvenient Truth.
The system works just fine.
The people of Washington State are getting exactly what they want.
And that is what our representative government is supposed to do.
This is not a Secular Humanist Theocracy where a High Priestess Governor hands down decrees that create a Socialist Utopia.
Sorry.
You are angry because the people who actually pay taxes are sick of funding your socialist dreams for you.
They have expressed their will clearly.
Deal with it.......
The system works just fine.
The people of Washington State are getting exactly what they want.
And that is what our representative government is supposed to do.
This is not a Secular Humanist Theocracy where a High Priestess Governor hands down decrees that create a Socialist Utopia.
Sorry.
You are angry because the people who actually pay taxes are sick of funding your socialist dreams for you.
They have expressed their will clearly.
Deal with it.......
34
The idea that Gregoire is merely an administrator and not a legislator, and therefore, can't propose new revenue is not factually true.
The Governor presents a budget, which can (and should) include new revenue options. The Legislature has the responsibility to enact the budget, to actually vote it into law, but the Governor controls the process by crafting the initial budget proposal (both cuts AND revenue).
…and really, if she hates it so much, why not propose the budget she would LIKE to see? She's a lame duck. She's not up for re-election. She could propose and simply accept the loss that the legislature would hand her. So what? At least she'd be trying to lead with a vision, rather than just accept austerity as inevitable.
The Governor presents a budget, which can (and should) include new revenue options. The Legislature has the responsibility to enact the budget, to actually vote it into law, but the Governor controls the process by crafting the initial budget proposal (both cuts AND revenue).
…and really, if she hates it so much, why not propose the budget she would LIKE to see? She's a lame duck. She's not up for re-election. She could propose and simply accept the loss that the legislature would hand her. So what? At least she'd be trying to lead with a vision, rather than just accept austerity as inevitable.
35
@33…the People's voice is diluted by a systemic preference for moneyed and powerful interests. This is NOT government by the people, for the people. The system is flawed with inherent bias that can't be so easily overcome. This is NOT a free market of ideas.
36
35
only 19% of Americans self identify as Liberal and you moocher leaches are a subset of that group.
the system is working just fine, hoss.....
only 19% of Americans self identify as Liberal and you moocher leaches are a subset of that group.
the system is working just fine, hoss.....
37
Cancel the unfunded Tunnel and the tax giveaways (exemptions) for the rich lawyers and corporations.
Then let them find Revenues to fund such things, with a 2/3 vote of the Citizens.
Then let them find Revenues to fund such things, with a 2/3 vote of the Citizens.
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