Governor plans visit to ask about spending priorities

0 Comments | Columbian; Vancouver, Wash., Jul 24, 2010 | by Kathie Durbin

Gov. Chris Gregoire

Seeks public input for 2011-13 budget

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Gov. Chris Gregoire is inviting the public to help her make tough budget decisions for the next two years during a special public hearing from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Clark Colleges Gaiser Hall.

The hearing, the third of four Gregoire has scheduled around the state, is designed to help her and her budget-writing staff get started on writing a spending plan for the 2011-13 budget cycle.

Even with revenue from new taxes on candy, soda, beer, bottled water and cigarettes approved by the 2010 Legislature, state economists project a budget deficit of about $3 billion by mid- 2011. The new taxes are expected to add $761 million to state coffers by the end of 2011.

Members of a new Committee on Transforming Washingtons Budget, with leaders drawn from across the state, will attend the Vancouver event and listen to citizen comments
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