Gov. Gregoire seeks public input on budget priorities

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Media Contact: Governor's Communications Office Phone: [phone] Gregoire adds new public input feature on website - http://www.governor.wa.gov/

OLYMPIA - Gov. Chris Gregoire today is urging Washingtonians to visit her website and offer suggestions as she works to fill a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall. "Just like Washington families, state government is facing serious economic challenges," Gregoire said. "Unfortunately, we don't have the money to fund all of the many programs and projects we have supported in the past.

We're all going to have to sacrifice, but it's also important to preserve core government services and to take full advantage of the strengths of our community organizations and the private sector." All Washingtonians are encouraged to visit Gregoire's homepage at http://www.governor.wa.gov/ and submit their own cost-saving strategies. The governor is also looking for suggestions to reform state government and to provide services more efficiently and cost-effectively. In addition, the governor wants to know what government functions and programs might be better handled in the private sector or the nonprofit arena. "If you know of an effective strategy to significantly trim costs, I want to hear from you," Gregoire said. "It is becoming clear that we will need to cut spending and rethink the way we provide services to responsibly balance the next budget." Gregoire has already taken significant steps to cut the projected $3.2 billion dollar deficit nearly in half, including: Placing a freeze on hiring, out-of-state travel, personal service contracts and equipment purchases. Across-the-board cuts in state agencies, exempting certain programs in education, public safety and the protection of vulnerable individuals.

Suspending the Family Leave program. The governor plans to unveil the 2009-2011 budget next month. For more information, visit Gregoire's homepage at: http://www.governor.wa.gov/