State policy priority for 2010:

Demonstrate fiscal restraint and deliver a balanced, sustainable budget.

What Washington needs in 2010 - more so than anything else - is a clear demonstration of fiscal restraint and a decisive, long-range strategy to create jobs.  To that end, the Roundtable urges lawmakers to deliver a balanced supplemental budget that maintains adequate reserves and prioritizes spending in areas that drive economic growth.  Unemployment is expected to remain high and businesses are stilling struggling, making tax icnreases untenable.  Lawmakers must avoid budget gimmicks, fund shifts or use of one-time funds that will only lead to larger problems in 2011-13.

Resources:

• The House and Senate spending plans
  (Washington Research Council, March 11, 2010)
• Update on the House and Senate tax packages
  (Washington Research Council, March 10, 2010)