WA State budget priorities: A time to learn, a time to be heard

Are you ready to have your voice heard regarding Washington’s budget and spending priorities?

Marty Brown, the director of the Washington Office of Financial Management, will be conducting two town hall meetings in June to speak to citizens about preparing a priority-based budget and soliciting comments. These comments will be incorporated into the biennial budget Governor Locke will be submitting to the legislator in December 2004. While there is no obligation for the new governor and the legislature to enact this budget, it will serve as a guideline as they prepare the 2005-2007 budget.

When: June 2 in Spokane, June 3 in Seattle, both events at 7 p.m.

Where:
Spokane: Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone, Barbieri Courtroom, Rooms 5-7
Seattle: Seattle Community College, 1701 Broadway, Rooms 1110-1111

What An interactive budget exercise among Marty Brown, OFM staff, and the audience to illustrate the Priorities of Government approach and solicit comments and answer questions.

Why: This is our opportunity to be heard at the onset of the budget process. Current revenue projections predict that we will begin the new biennium with a deficit of over one billion dollars. We need to speak loud and clearly that new taxes are not an option and that the government must prioritize spending and streamline government services.

Thanks in advance for taking action and attending these important townhall meetings!