Local legislators see possible silver lining

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Yakima Valley legislators see opportunity in the state's budget deficit, viewing it as a potential catalyst for systemic change in state government.

But they wouldn't be surprised if, instead, the Legislature raises taxes to fill the multibillion-dollar operating budget gap. The all-Republican delegation from Central Washington believes Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire's education- and health-care-slashing December budget proposal is a scare tactic aimed at winning support for new taxes.

"I took the governor at her word this summer when she said everything had to be on the table," said Rep. Bruce Chandler, R-Granger. "In retrospect, I think she meant there's only one thing on the table (taxes)."

With a $2.6 billion deficit in the operating budget facing lawmakers as they convene Monday, however, the idea of balancing the budget without new revenue is tricky, the local lawmakers acknowledged. While both Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, and Rep. Charles Ross, R-Naches, raised the prospect of widespread wage freezes for state employees, Gregoire has previously said she's unwilling to do that because it would violate union contracts.

Thousands of state workers are scheduled to receive "step increases" in salary this year. The raises are given based on years of experience.

"Those things should be rescinded," King said. "If it takes the governor declaring it's a financial crisis, then that's what she should do."

That's the only way to close the budget gap without tax increases, Ross said.

"If you use the frame of mind that wages and benefits are not part of the equation, you will never solve this problem," he said.

For local lawmakers, the silver lining in the budget crunch is that there may be more political will in Olympia to re-examine how aspects of state govern-ment could be scaled back. That could mean state workers being asked to pay a higher percentage of their share of health insurance premiums or it might mean the state cracking down on question-able work-related disability claims, King said.

"There might be a willingness to look at how we might revamp some of those things," he said.

Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, suggested a priorities-of-government model and a thorough trimming of nonessential state services. Things like public health, safety, elder care and education should be fully funded, he said.

"Prioritize everything after that and I really believe we can balance the budget," Honeyford said.

In the short term, that could lead to some unpopular cuts, but in the long term it might keep the state from deeper crisis, like the one in California, Chandler said.

"Nobody will be happy with it in the end, but it will be a sustainable budget," he said.

Aside from budget issues, local lawmakers plan to focus on education and public safety this session. Among the specific proposals is a further extension of Ross' gang legislation from the past two years. He plans to once again push the idea of civil injunctions that could be used to detain gang members and even seize gang property. A similar proposal was dropped from Ross' 2007 bill, but he believes there may be broader support for it now.

Another idea that could gain momentum is the bill King co-sponsored to privatize liquor sales. Though it's a perennial failure in the Legislature, the prospect of a positive financial impact to the state could give the measure legs this year, King said.

"If it's got a chance, this is probably the year," he said.

* Pat Muir can be reached at 509-577-7693 or pmuir@yakimaherald.com.