Dino's Fiscal Nightmares

SEATTLE – Since inheriting the aftermath of Republican Dino Rossi’s budget when she took office in January 2005, Governor Chris Gregoire has dramatically improved a multi-billion dollar projected six-year deficit through 2009, while restoring investments in education and children’s health care and helping create 222,000 new jobs – resulting in one of the lowest unemployment rates in state history.

In 2007, Gregoire pushed for a Rainy Day fund that was overwhelmingly approved by voters in the November election. The constitutionally-protected fund will eventually grow to over $1 billion and be available in an emergency or economic downturn.

By contrast, the Washington State Office of Financial Management estimated in early 2004 that Rossi’s 2003-2005 signature budget would “most likely” lead to a deficit of over $3 billion in 2009 and projected a “worst case” scenario deficit of over $5 billion. Upon taking office, Gov. Gregoire faced up to an immediate $2.2 billion hole, and a $5.0 billion 6-year deficit in the aftermath of Rossi’s sham budget.

“Republican Dino Rossi’s sham budget left a sea of red ink in his wake,” said Washington State Democratic Chair Dwight Pelz. “Not only did Rossi cut programs important to Washington’s children and seniors, but the Rossi Deficit left our state headed toward a fiscal trainwreck. Gov. Gregoire’s leadership has created jobs and provided economic stimulus that has kept our state from succumbing to the enormous sea of red ink Rossi left behind.”

Rossi supported cuts to education funding of more than $1 billion, dramatic cuts to health care for low-income children, environmental cleanup programs and prescription drug benefits for seniors, among other priorities of Washington citizens.

Gov. Gregoire has restored Rossi’s cuts to education, health care and class size and also successfully implemented economic stimulus programs to strengthen Washington state’s economy. Gregoire created an Economic Development Strategic Reserve Account to help keep businesses in Washington, advanced life science research by creating the Life Sciences Discovery Fund and expanded apprenticeship programs to increase the state’s skilled workforce.

Today, Washington State has one of the lowest unemployment rates in 30 years, a lower tax burden on citizens than 35 other states according to the Washington State Budget and Policy Center and thriving tourism, wine and aerospace industries.

For more information on Dino Rossi's Fiscal Responsibility, go to The Real Dino Rossi