Gregoire Releases Grim Budget Proposal
Gov. Chris Gregoire’s budget proposal was released this morning, and things are looking rotten in the state of Washington.
She proposes closing the Washington State History Museum – a move that would drastically alter the face of downtown Tacoma.
The News Tribune has an interview with BKB & Co owner Corky Brown here.
Other suggestions include eliminating funding for gifted education and highly capable programs, and eliminating Basic Health and the Children’s Health Insurance Plan. The News Tribune has more here.
Find the full highlights document here.
61 comments
R RR Anderson December 15, 2010
Would be OK with closing WSHM if it meant we could eliminate the horrible fence blocking the bridge of glass.
R RR Anderson December 15, 2010
Also, I hope you dingbats who voted down the candy tax are enjoying your 13.3 oz. cans of Candy Cane Roca
H halleyrebecca December 15, 2010
I just want to say “you brought this on yourselves!!” But then there are the rest of us, who didn’t vote like idiots.
E Erik B. December 15, 2010
Here is a test for Tacoma and Pierce County State Legislators to demonstrate their leadership abilities in Olympia to protect Tacoma. They will earn their pay on this one as Olympia attempts to balance the state budget on the backs of Tacomans.
T tacoma1 December 15, 2010
My guess is that most of the downtown retailers voted to repeal the candy/soda pop tax.
Personally, I never consider how much tax I pay when I buy candy (or booze for that matter).
I say go ahead and shut the museum down. Once people see the actual consequences of their vote they may think a little harder the next time they vote.
T the Jinxmedic December 15, 2010
Yup. It’s all Brown and Haley’s fault. Not the fault of a state government that never found a dollar it couldn’t spend.
T tacoma1 December 15, 2010
So, in a perfect world, we can hate State Govt if they listen to the voters and close down the State History Museum. And we can hate them if they spend tax payer dollars to keep it open too.
J Janine Terrano December 15, 2010
Hello Tacoma! Anybody home? This is really unbelievable. Why are the Arts always a target? The only thing downtown has going for it is the arts and UWT. There is little other reason to come downtown. As a business owner on Pacific Ave and a supporter of the arts, I don’t think the argument is about our voting record. I also don’t think we should all stand by and watch this downtown slide down the drain only to say “I told you so.” The city “leadership” (still waiting to see it) needs to step up! And I really don’t care that we are the “City of Destiny.” Destined for what?
J Janine Terrano December 15, 2010
One more thing. I personally think it is good to have Brown and Haley in our community. Every business owner I know has had to cut back over these last two years. The State should be no different. High profile slayings is not the only way to balance a budget. Why not address state employee benefits, as an example. I know the majority of employees in the private sector pay 15-20% participation. We should expect the same from our state workers.
J Janine Terrano December 15, 2010
I just read the document and they have included state employee benefits in their strategy. Bravo!
S subterranean December 15, 2010
yes, bravo to taking more money out of the economy. The more people spend on health insurance the less they will spend on consumer goods that will actually get us out of this recession. You realize consumer spending creates jobs right? If I were a conspiracy theorist I might think that a certain party actually wants this recession just for this reason, get the public howling for more anti-labor and anti-public employee budget cuts.
D Daniel December 15, 2010
By all means, let’s blame this on spend-happy legislators. No amount of fiscal conservatism could have prevented this shortfall without bringing unacceptable risk to existing programs. The risks we are forced to accept now are also unacceptable. But our state congress is no more to blame for this than I am for the war in Afghanistan.
J Janine Terrano December 15, 2010
@ subterranean So, can you tell me how closing the History Museum will help Tacoma’s economy? I believe it’s closing eliminates jobs.
I wish we could afford to pay 100%, but can’t. I am simply stating that the private sector has been forced to do this long ago. The state should not have a premium benefits program on the tax payer’s dime. They should be at par.
R rick December 15, 2010
Daniel, just so you know, I’m still very disappointed with you for starting the war in Afghanistan.
T tacoma1 December 15, 2010
I’m really curious as to how many downtown business owners voted to repeal the candy/soda pop tax, therefore defunding State Govt, therefore defunding the WSHM, therefore defunding themselves of customers? That is a poll I’d really like to see.
R RR Anderson December 15, 2010
DO YOU WANT CHEAP CANDY OR A WASHINGTON STATE HISTORY MUSEUM? THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN.
T tacoma1 December 16, 2010
The people want cheap candy and lots of free parking. That is what is important.
Y You're Welcome December 16, 2010
I can’t believe the future of the WSHM is hung by the magic candy sales tax fairy. I’m going to go on my gut instinct and believe the museum was doomed just for being in Tacoma.
R RR Anderson December 16, 2010
MEANWHILST FROM THE NEW TAKHOMAN:
This just in from the City of Tacoma.
Wire theft, damage to controls leave Murray Morgan Bridge unable to open
Sometime between Nov. 22 and Dec. 8, copper wire thieves broke into the mechanical room on the Murray Morgan Bridge and stole all of the wiring in the power and control panel that is used to raise and lower the bridge.
As a result of this theft and extensive damage to the motors and controls used to move the bridge, the bridge currently cannot be raised to allow ships to pass underneath. City engineers have notified the United States Coast Guard, Martinac Shipbuilding and the Foss Waterway Development Authority, as well as local marine users, about the inability to open the bridge. The bridge control equipment and motors are so badly damaged and so old that repair parts are no longer available, so the equipment will need to be replaced. The estimated replacement cost is between $250,000 and $300,000. City staff is investigating interim means to raise the bridge for marine traffic to pass underneath. The bridge is typically opened two or three times per month during the winter months and between 10 and 12 times per month during the peak summer boating season. Planning for the rehabilitation of the Murray Morgan Bridge is under way, and the City just announced that it has selected PCL Construction Services, Inc. of Bellevue, Wash. to rehabilitate the bridge. Phase 1 of the repair, which will allow the historic bridge to re-open to vehicle traffic with one lane in each direction, is projected to be complete by the end of 2012.A Anthony Teamson December 16, 2010
I like reading all the posts from the indignant government employees. I busted a gut reading one shleb whine about our civil servants having to pay part of their medical coverage. The moron actually stated that it would pull money out of the economy. Guess what fool, taxes pay that civil servant’s salary. And taxes are taken from the dumb ass (because she works in the private sector and actually has to perform a service) cashier who has no health coverage, but definitely has a tax bill. How dare these uppity peasants wanting to save 10% on a snack! As for Brown and Haley: I hope they contact Boise, Idaho and get a sweet deal to relocate the company. Why should their be any private sector jobs in Tacoma. We can all be cops, firemen (ops firefighters), tax clerks, court clerks, admission clerks, unemployment claim processors, meter maids, and economic development bureaucrats. Oh, but who will create the wealth that is taxed and given to the government hacks? Oh, I know, we will live off all the military lifers with their military pensions.
C crenshaw sepulveda December 16, 2010
History, and budget cutting, is not for wimps.
T Tacomamama December 16, 2010
Um… @21, there is no income tax in Washington State. So uppity peasant cashier does not have a tax bill (from the state, anyway) and since she’s a cashier she probably doesn’t pay property taxes either. She does pay sales taxes, but she had an opportunity to improve this regressive system by voting with her other Uppity Peasants for Initiative 1098, which would have imposed an income tax only on people who made about 10 times what she does in a year.
Unfortunately, the Uppity Peasants (those who actually vote anyway) listened to too much propaganda from campaigns funded by extremely wealthy people who convinced them not only to vote against their own best interests but to proceed to crow about it in every available forum.
R RR Anderson December 16, 2010
hes just mad because “uppity” lady worker has right to vote. Kinda stuff you learn about in WSHM.
D dolly varden December 16, 2010
I think @21 escaped from the TNT comment section.
Jeannie Darnielle, as approps chair, should protect the WSHM’s budget if they promise to open up the fence. There’s opportunity in every crisis.
J Jim C December 16, 2010
Somewhere out there, Tim Eyman is doing a tap dance on a dead baby while an unsupervised mentally-ill felon is stealing his car:
Reduce optional Medicaid services. Services for non-emergency dental and maternity care to high-risk mothers and children will be reduced
but not eliminated. ($48.2 million GF-S)
Reduce funding for 26,000 clients of community mental health services delivered through the regional support networks. Services include crisis response, evaluation and
treatment. ($17.4 million GF-S)
Reduce grants by 50 percent to community health clinics awarded through the Health Care Authority for services to low-income clients.
($12.8 million GF-S)
Eliminate the Auto Theft Task Force in the Washington State Patrol. ($3.6 million, State Patrol Highway Account)
Reduce staff and programs in the Department of Corrections in headquarters and prisons, and in community supervision. ($51.6 million GF-S)
D Daniel December 16, 2010
In 2 years, whenever someone says, “Why isn’t anyone doing anything about crime/education/infrastructure/mental health…etc?” I’ll just say, “Did you vote in 2010?” People vote as if government programs are created at the whim of social workers. They’re created and destroyed at the whim of VOTERS.
And if you’re worried about national debt, did you vote in 2004? The nation voted at that time to prioritize investment in Iraq and to defund state/domestic infrastructure. We’re getting EXACTLY what we voted for. But somehow, we always find a way to blame it on democrats.
F FrankMD December 16, 2010
I think many of you are missing some valid points #21 is making about government employee benefits paid by tax dollars compared to private sector benefits of the people who pay them.
H HelloSmiley December 16, 2010
Where’s the result from all the @#$%& Homeland Security money flooding our city which failed to protect a major expected infrastuctor like the Murry Morgan Bridge! (They’ll spy on activists but not protect our bridges.)
R RR Anderson December 16, 2010
MMB was an inside job!
M markr December 16, 2010
California voters told the state government years ago that they did not want to increase taxes, resulting in paralysis of their economy and unending problems. Voters are not always right in what they want, which is at least in part why we have a representative democracy. Which, of course, depends on the representatives having integrity, vision and courage. Not much of those seen at any level of government these days. The voters tell the government they don’t want to pay taxes, have them tell the government what government functions they don’t want to pay for. Along with the power of the purse must go the responsibility for it also.
A Anthony Teamson December 16, 2010
I like it: The government hacks are using their taxpayer salaries and taxpayer computers to spread the fear. The 5th post of this Civil Servant Wailing Wall is from a quite talent government hack. This little cartoon is supposed to infer that without the candy tax, Maurice Clemmons (Killer of four cops) would be on the rampage. However, it was a government employee who released Maurice Clemmons onto the street while awaiting prosecution for assaulting an officer and child rape. This same government employee was well aware of his past violent behavior but released Maurice Clemmons nonetheless (draw your own conclusion from the assumption that the Civil Servants keep us safe). The following quote is from another brainiac government Hack: “Um… @21, there is no income tax in Washington State. So uppity peasant cashier does not have a tax bill (from the state, anyway) and since she’s a cashier she probably doesn’t pay property taxes either” Uh, yes she does: She pays federal income tax, social security tax, and Medicare tax. The extra 9.6% she pays is a sales tax. As far as property tax goes: only vacuous Civil Servants, rapped up in their own self-importance, would not know that property tax is passed along in the cost of rent; I will not even comment upon the assumption that she does not own a home, the arrogance speaks for itself. Also, B&O tax, L&I tax, license fee and every other fee assessed buy government are passed along in the cost of goods and services. Ponyup Peasant is starting to realize just how expensive is that building full of bureaucrats with their salaries, pensions and medical benefits. How over night the bureaucrats have become the landed gentry and the rest of us work to maintain their comfort and lifestyle.
T Thorax O'Tool December 16, 2010
I doubt the candy tax alone would solve a $4,000,000,000 hole in the budget.
Problem is a helluva lot bigger than that.
D Daniel December 16, 2010
Well, that settles it. The Tea Party has a new convert. I used to decry political arguments of this stripe because they only amount to a lot of shrill “preaching to the converted” by both sides.
But in this case… man. I finally see the light. An intelligent argument has been made, and my worldview of pragmatism is crashing down around me. I am a lone actor in this world, and I am the only one I can trust to pursue my best interests. The world operates like a drama: protagonist vs. antagonist.
We’ve shrunk the government. Now where’s the bathtub?
J Janine Terrano December 16, 2010
What was I thinking? I guess it is bad to do well beyond some magical dollar threshold. And it is good to work as hard as you can and give government as much as they need. Because when government doesn’t have enough, well then we get what we deserve at their hand.
I can sleep better now, knowing government can solve things…they just need more of our money.
T Tim Smith December 16, 2010
@31
Wow. I was thinking the same thing this morning. I went down and looked ta the scene of the crime. This was no theft from crack smoking thieves. This was a sophisticated job by someone with knowledge of the site, wiring, and the area. I would look at the contractors and sub-contractors or those that want to see the bridge demolished. Does the contract specify a completion date or penalities for running over cost.
H HelloSmiley December 17, 2010
@ 18, I’m not sure if your post was meant to be sarcastic or not. Sure, those things may seem to be momentarily important to tax-payers, but just wanting such conveniences doesn’t make it the most important legislation in consideration of the long term.
T Tacoma1 December 17, 2010
Yes it was heavy sarcasm gor me, but unfortunately the truth for the recent voter pool.
R RR Anderson December 17, 2010
man, thats how you know exit133 has finally made it. You got crazy TNT Tea Party folks fired up. Anyhow it was suggested that the prison labor turning wheel to raise the bridge would make for a good cartoon. Where can we find some old cranks? Washam!?
M Moochach December 17, 2010
It’s too bad that the state can’t afford to keep the museum open but at least they stepped up for Tacoma last year when they leased that space at Pacific Plaza for 80%-90% above the going rate, you sure can’t say that wasn’t a gift to the local economy – or at least one guy in the economy
M Mirror Dog December 17, 2010
The thieves of the bridge’s metal are a threat to our safety, or economy, our ability to fund important projects… and overspending-then-art-and-education-cutting representatives are terrorizing our future.
See the New Takhoman cartoon spin-off from Tuesday’s city council meeting… oh, darn the cartoon has changed already… the current one isn’t bad, though.
J Jesse December 17, 2010
Hard times for Tacoma! Russell gone. History Museum gone. Nearly empty Pacific Avenue. UWT underfunded. The next thing you’re going to tell me is the Glass Museum is off to Seattle! Oh… wait…
P Point.Dexter December 17, 2010
Before.long.the.governor.wont.have.Tacoma.
to.kick.around.anymore…
R Rad Cat December 17, 2010
Come’on people, the History Museum isn’t gone! Gregoire is only proposing it’s closure. Stop acting like it’s a done deal, and instead do something about it while there’s time! By just rolling over we’ll only be helping make the proposal a reality! In fact, Gregoire is calling for volunteers and non-profits to step up and help where state funding is lacking… so stop whining and step up!
R Rick Jones December 17, 2010
Rad Cat @ 47’s right. It’s a PROPOSAL, not a fait accompli (sorry about that, I get carried away). It’s part of a two-museum closure for 5.2 million. So, for simplisity’s sake, we need to find 2.6 mil.
Moochach @43: The AG was already in town at the Washington Building, owned by the same group that owns Old City Hall. Pacific Plaza went to the Council and convinced them that they needed to change the rule that required the first floor of the Plaza to be retail. Remember, this was the saame group that led the charge to raze the Luzon which was right next door. So the AG’s office in Tacoma just changed chairs leaving a big vacancy with an owner already $$ challenged.
R Rick Jones December 17, 2010
One more thing. If we really want to save the museum, let’s make it local. For probably $5 per year in property taxes for city real estate owners we will be able to save WSHM. Who’s for it? $5 per year? Is it that important? If it is lay down a fin and we can keep it open.
M Moochach December 17, 2010
@RickJones : I understood that part, I just think it was nice that the State decided to pay so much when they moved. I mean, when they pay $36/sf in a city where most locations nearby are $25/sf or less, that seems incredibly generous.
R RR Anderson December 17, 2010
as long as there is a fence blocking the bridge of glass, the WSHM is on my president-nixon-inspired enemies list.
E Erik B. December 17, 2010
Come’on people, the History Museum isn’t gone! Gregoire is only proposing it’s closure
Yep. You are right Rad. Now it is time to see our legislators earn their pay.
@RR: Unfortunately, the WSHM has squandered much of their goodwill by their wall blocking the Bridge of Glass which harasses pedestrians making them walk hundreds of extra feet.
Not much of a reason to shut down the museum though.
R RR Anderson December 17, 2010
@52
iS Every reason! REVENGE!!!!
Ahab must have his whale.
R RR Anderson December 17, 2010
Idle Readers, Did you know the WSHM bridge of glass fence is the irritating grain of sand that cascaded into the TACOMIC Political Cartoon? the WSHM shut down is now a beautiful karma PEARL.
P Point.Dexter December 18, 2010
The.WSHM.is.just.a.bunch.of.miscolored.bricks.
R RR Anderson December 18, 2010
I just learned today that the WSHM used to have a mummy and way more cool stuff… before they went the amusement-park-ride route
D dolly varden December 18, 2010
@45: It’s not like Tacoma is being hit disproportionately by this recession. Seattle lost WAMU (which Russell only partially replaced), its art museum has been super hard hit (partly because they were supported by WAMU), galleries are closing left and right, Pioneer Square has taken a big step backward with the closing of Elliot Bay Book Company, the Key Arena is empty most of the year, the main campus of the UW is doing much worse than UWT, and the Seattle’s budget is in worse shape than Tacoma’s. Things are tough all over.
(Not that we shouldn’t fight to keep the WSHM on the condition they open up the bridge.)
N nathan December 18, 2010
Haven’t you guys figured it out yet. Whenever a vote goes the opposite way of a politicians goals they punish the voters as to say don’t f*ck with me. Gregoire is the plague yet you all keep voting her spend happy politics back into office. Why dont we just audit our existing programs and i garuntee there is enough wasteful spending just lying around that we would not have tgo cut anything. The Dems in control just want us to be having this exact conversation. See this is what happens when you don’t tax heavy.
R RR Anderson December 18, 2010
oh yeah, eliminate ‘wasteful spending’ that is the COMMON SENSE thing to do. if only Politician XYZ had COMMON SENSE! DINO ROSSI IN 2XXX!
T Tacoma1 December 19, 2010
Dolly Varden. Seattle also lost the Lusty Lady. Times are really tough when u can’t even make a buck selling naked chicks.
Nathan, we already audit all if our state agencies every year. It was one of Timmy Eimans bills a couple years back.
S Squid December 20, 2010
The Lusty Lady didn’t go out of business because of the recession, they were pushed out because of that dumb Four Seasons place. Whoa, just thinkin here, new renter for the Russell building? New definition for “high rise” office building.
R RR Anderson December 20, 2010
New Tacoma multi-use: Bail-Bonds, Pawn Shop, Strip Joint and Tattoo Parlor all in once building!
G Gisselle December 21, 2010
That was a weird video, low bar. The author spends the first 5 minutes bragging about himself (seriously, who didn’t see the financial collapse coming?) and about how much time and money he’s spent on making this video which turned out to be simple text of exactly what his droning voice was saying. Got so bored I finally skipped to the end hoping to see his suggestions for the apocolypse which he was predicting… he suggests buying gold. Really, how is having invested in gold going to help when people are rioting and starving? Sure, I agree the worst is yet to come (though I wouldn’t entirely blame Obama for it, like he does) and gold may hold more value than the U. S. Dollar, but that’ll be useless when real survival items are needed. I say invest in an organic gardens and bonding with your neighbors, though I suppose gold bricks might build a nice bunker…
C Charmel December 22, 2010
Low Bar, nobody is going to barter their vegetables for your silver-backed savings when money no longer means anything. Better to invest in items that will keep you alive than investing in soon-to-be worthless metal currency. You’re banking on the economy recovering quickly back to how it was, when it may very well not bounce back again before the end of your lifetime. Economic growth based on over-extended credit cannot continue indefinitly. It’s short-sightedness like that which got us into this mess. I don’t envy or aspire to be a millionaire hiding behind a security gate… I’d rather be with Gisselle knowing we can make it on our own.
P Point.Dexter December 22, 2010
Alright.people…Tacoma.isnt.North.Idaho.yet…