At a press conference Thursday, October 27, Gov. Chris Gregoire presented a list of approximatlely $4 billion in “budget reduction alternatives,” including her “preliminary choices” to bridge a projected $1.4 billion shortfall in the current biennium and provide for a reserve of $600 million for the remainder of the biennium.

In announcing her choices for $2 billion in reductions, transfers and eliminations, the governor noted that the upcoming November 17 revenue forecast was likely to bring more bad news so it was important to meet the projected gap as well as plan for the future.

For higher education, her preliminary choices list represents $174 million in cuts and eliminations, including a 15% reduction to institutions (both two-year and four-year) and the elimination of the State Work Study Program.

In addition the Governor identified other potential areas for reduction or elimination including elimination of the State Need Grant and reductions to institutions of up to 20%.

Staff to the governor and the state budget office indicated the governor believed it was important to lay out all the possible cuts to programs in the “unprotected” part of the state operating budget.  The governor’s press conference on TVW can be viewed here.

In a letter to the Washington Legislature the Governor identified the principles that guided the development of the budget alternatives.

• Washington state’s economic recovery must be a top priority;
• Washington’s children deserve the best public education we can provide to ensure their future success and that of our state;
• Washington’s vulnerable citizens continue to need protection despite -and perhaps in part due to – these tough times;
• Our citizens must be safe in their homes and communities;
• Service delivery is a more important investment of declining tax dollars than is advocacy; and
• These principles must evolve when funding is tight. Our citizens should be served to the best of  our ability with limited available funds.

She closed her letter to legislators by stating “I look forward to receiving your input in the next few weeks as we work together in the special session on behalf of the people of Washington”.

The Washington Legislature will return to Olympia to consider Governor Gregoire’s supplemental budget on November 28.