Over the last two weeks the Governor and members of the Committee on Transforming Washington’s Budget have held three public hearings on the 2011-13 biennial budget with a fourth and final hearing to be completed this evening in Spokane.

In early July, the Governor and the Task Force traveled to Tacoma to listen to concerns and ideas regarding the 2011-13 biennial budget.

Last week the Governor held the second of four public hearings in Everett. Approximately 400 people showed up at Everett Community College to listen to the fiscal context facing Washington and share their ideas for reducing the state budget.

Nearly 50 people shared their views with the Governor and committee members. Ideas included reducing state employee salaries, selling off the state ferry system, and privatizing port districts. Others argued for funding for a variety of public services and the impact of failing to do so.

Advocacy for public services and programs dominated the third of four public hearings in Vancouver. Approximately 400 people arrived at the WSU-Vancouver campus to hear about the budget and share their ideas.