(WA) Budget Shell Games 101

Evergreen Freedom Foundation ^ | 4-29-05 | Jason Mercier

[truth49]

Feeling restricted by having to budget within a voter-approved spending limit? Tired of having to follow the will of the people? Worry no more! Now you too can be a contestant on the latest craze to hit Washington’s legislature: Budget Shell Games 101.

It’s easy to play.

First thing you do is roll the 2005 supplemental budget into next biennium’s (2005-07) operating budget while not providing any details about the supplemental. This may help dissuade the curious from learning about your budget slight of hand. Then you pray that no one takes the time to read line-by-line the fund shifts you make. If they do by chance connect the dots, here’s an example of what they’ll find:

2005 Supplemental Fund Shifts of Note (ESSB 6090)

• First transfer $250 million from the “dedicated” Health Services Account to the General Fund State. (Sec. 1701)
  
  

• Then appropriate $250 million from the General Fund State to the Violence Reduction and Drug Enforcement Account. (Sec. 1607)
  
  

• Then transfer $250 million from the “dedicated” Violence Reduction and Drug Enforcement Account back to the Health Services Account. (Sec. 1701)

The goal for this merry-go-round fund shifting: “For transfers in this section to the state general fund, pursuant to RCW 43.135.035(5), the state expenditure limit shall be increased by the amount of the transfer. The increase shall occur in the fiscal year in which the transfer occurs.” (Sec. 1701)

Viola! Instant legislative run around of that pesky voter-approved spending limit.

Why engage in such blatant budget shell games and disregard the will of the people? Because being able to reward the special interests that got you elected with increased spending on their favorite programs apparently outweighs any bad public relations you may incur.

Think you have what it takes to stick it to the people and engage in similar budget shenanigans? Then come on down to Olympia and try your hand at Budget Shell Games 101. There may be a vacancy or two for you to fill after the next election.

[Libertina]

When our ELECTED Governor, Dino Rossi gets into the governor's mansion, I want EVERYTHING this "legislature" did to be THROWN OUT! I don't with know whom I am most peeved - the rats or the wimpy Rs!

[RetiredArmy]

Our lovely socialist Politburo lead by Commissar Kristina Gregwurovich down in Olympiastadt, Soviet Republic of the Northwest.

[g33k355]

man I'm clapping as hard & fast as I can!

I'm so sickened by this whole fiasco, i't makes me ashamed to live in Washington. I just find it hard to leave the beauty of this state because of this lot of whackos!

[RetiredArmy]

I moved here 13 years ago after I retired from the Army, at the urging of my aunt and uncle who moved here from the south. Little did I realize what I was getting myself into. Now, I cannot wait to get out of here. I met my wife here, but she had come from Wisconsin some years ago. She was ready to go also. We are going to Idaho probably, maybe Wyoming, but WE ARE LEAVING WASHINGTON. There is no ifs, ands or buts about it, we will be leaving just as soon as she gets to retirement in 3 years.