Governor needs to issue Executive Order -- NOW

Last fall, our governor sent out memos to state agencies urging them to reduce hiring and other spending. It didn’t work.

In the face of recent data showing increasing revenue shortfalls, the governor has replaced memos with agency directives. This falls far short of the necessary action. In fact, employee groups potentially affected by the cutbacks are already threatening negative consequences, like strikes and suspension of student tests. Public conversations about balancing the budget by cutting services for the most vulnerable members of society have begun. Governor Locke needs to nip this in the bud.

An Executive Order with enforcement mechanisms is needed. NOW! Agencies should give the governor and lawmakers decision packages: lists of cuts that can be made, prioritized in order of how those cuts affect each agency’s mission. If agency directors were paying any attention to the governor last fall, those lists should already be prepared. Lawmakers and the governor can review those lists, keeping in mind the warning from our state’s chief forecaster that this downturn will likely last for three years.

Contact: Lynn Harsh, Executive Director, (360) 956-3482

Evergreen Freedom Foundation P.O. Box 552, Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 956-3482, Fax: (360) 352-1874 Email: effwa@effwa.org