Rep. Matt Marshall says House Democrats’ $80 billion budget is a high risk shell game built on precarious assumptions
CONTACT: Hanna Scott, Public Information Officer | 360-968-3938
Rep. Matt Marshall says House Democrats’ $80 billion budget is a high risk shell game built on precarious assumptions
Rep. Matt Marshall says the $80 billion budget passed by House Democrats over the weekend leaves taxpayers carrying long-term risk while government spending continues to grow.
Marshall, R-Eatonville, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, says the budget relies on legally dubious revenue and one-time money obtained through budget tricks and learns nothing from the past mistakes that put us in a deficit.
“This budget is a full-scale raid on the state’s future that uses fiscal shell games to delay a looming financial reckoning,” Marshall said. “The majority chose bigger government and bigger risks over honest budgeting.”
Marshall says Democratic budget writers assume billions in unguaranteed revenue, including an unconstitutional income tax and the legally questionable sweep of a law enforcement and firefighters pension to cover billions in new spending.
“We’re spending like the consequences don’t exist,” Marshall said. “You cannot build long-term stability on temporary cash and accounting tricks.”
Marshall said House Republicans offered more than 20 amendments to restore fiscal discipline and strengthen core services, but the majority rejected all but two.
Marshall offered an amendment to restore part of the combined $1 billion in Medicaid cuts made by House Democrats in this budget and the last to help some of Washington’s most vulnerable citizens. He also proposed spending $1 million from the $100 million Democrats promised for law enforcement last session to open and operate the new regional police training facility in Lacey. Marshall said expanding operations would increase officer training classes, improve public safety, and help move Washington out of dead last nationally in law enforcement officers per capita.
Democrats rejected them.
Marshall said the budget ultimately ignores affordability pressures facing Washingtonians.
“When government keeps growing while families are forced to cut back, priorities are upside down,” Marshall said. “The people of Washington deserve stability, safety, and accountability — not more risk.”
