The 2013 regular session adjourned April 28. A special session began May 13 - budget writers and caucus leadership are negotiating an agreement before other members are called back to Olympia to vote on a final budget.
House Republicans understand every dollar the state spends comes from a hardworking taxpayer.
We believe the state budget should be based on existing revenues.
With more than 300,000 Washingtonians unemployed and looking for work, now is not the time to raise taxes and fees on struggling families and employers.
We believe in a smarter, more efficient state government that lives within its means – just like hardworking families and individuals around our state.
Budget challenges and obligations
Increased state spending on new social programs during the construction boom in the 
mid-2000’s and the recent recession has created severe state budget shortfalls over the past several years.
Instead of utilizing long-term solutions and rolling back state spending to sustainable levels, the Democrat-controlled Legislature has opted for a “budget Band-Aid” approach of one-time money, account transfers and fee increases.
The state Supreme Court in January 2012 affirmed the state’s paramount duty is to “amply provide for the education of all Washington children.” This means more state dollars will be spent on education, leaving fewer resources available for other areas of state spending.
House Republican budget priorities:
- Fund education first
- Public safety
- Protect the most vulnerable with a secure – yet responsible – safety net
Solutions
House Republicans believe a series of common-sense solutions will help engage the public in our state’s budgeting and bring an end to the recent roller-coaster budgets embraced by the majority party in Olympia.
- Fund Education First – As the state’s paramount duty, we believe a separate education budget should be the first budget passed by the Legislature. Once that’s done, we’ll know how much money is left over for other areas of state spending. (House Bill 1174)
- Require a two-thirds majority vote of the Legislature to raise taxes – Washington voters have repeatedly (and recently with the passage of I-1185) supported this concept. House Republicans believe the “two-thirds” standard should finally be placed in the state constitution so that it cannot be overturned by the majority party in Olympia. (House Joint Resolution 4206)
- Budget Sunshine Act – State budgets are often passed in the dead of night
with little or no time for public or even legislative review. We believe a 72-hour waiting period should be required before the passage of the state budget. This will give you (the taxpayers) time to provide input and us (the Legislature) time to weigh the long-term ramifications of proposed state spending. (House Bill 1721) - Require the Legislature to adopt a balanced budget – The Legislature is not currently required to adopt a balanced budget. With continuing state budget shortfalls, the temptation to use “credit cards” while spending state dollars should be removed entirely. (House Joint Resolutions 4202 and 4203)
Follow legislative action that impacts state spending:
- Track agendas for meetings of the House Appropriations and Finance committees.
- View a list of Gov. Inslee’s broken promises
- Sign up for e-mail notifications from various committees.
- Visit Washington state’s fiscal Web site to view revenues, spending, state employee salaries, the open checkbook and more.
- Sign up for e-mail notifications when a bill is proposed which would require a two-thirds vote because it is considered a tax or fee increase.