In response to Gov. Bob Ferguson’s announcement of his budget savings and efficiencies recommendations on Feb. 27, the Association of Washington Business, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Washington Roundtable issued this joint statement:
“We applaud Gov. Bob Ferguson for his efforts to make state government more efficient and effective and we are reviewing his proposals to reduce agency spending. His approach — deep diving into department budgets for savings and course corrections and focusing on impact and results — is refreshing.
Alternatively, over the past two weeks, some have been amplifying a previously developed, all-cuts proposal from the former Governor. That proposal is unrealistic and creates false choices between raising taxes and cutting important programs. Furthermore, it does not address previous spending choices by the legislature that actually created the state’s projected budget shortfall. New policy spending grew by almost $14 billion during the last two biennia, driven by things like expansion of programs and eligibility, increased salary and reimbursement rates, and the creation of new initiatives that have yet to begin. Instead of addressing those cost drivers, this proposal suggests cutting core services that Washingtonians have relied on for years. We are not here because of a recession. We are here due to overspending.
Rather than addressing the decisions that created the budget shortfall, this approach serves only to stoke fears, justify tax increases, and manufacture a false choice between drastic reductions and sweeping tax hikes. This only deepens public skepticism. According to recent polling, 65% of Washingtonians do not trust lawmakers to spend their tax dollars responsibly, and 75% don’t believe the Legislature has a plan to address the state’s most critical issues. Voters also overwhelmingly believe that if taxes are raised for businesses, those costs will be passed on to customers, resulting in an even higher cost of living for Washingtonians.
We thank Gov. Ferguson for working to make sure the state’s taxpayers get better results for the investments they are making.”
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About the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
The Seattle Metropolitan (Seattle Metro) Chamber of Commerce is the regional business advocacy organization that engages the innovation and entrepreneurship of its 2,500 members to promote inclusive economic prosperity. Founded in 1882 by local business leaders, the Chamber today is an independent organization representing a regional workforce of approximately 750,000. For more information, visit www.seattlechamber.com.
About Washington Roundtable
Washington Roundtable is a nonprofit organization comprised of senior executives of major private sector employers in Washington state. Roundtable members work together to effect positive change on public policy issues that they believe are most important to supporting state economic vitality and fostering opportunity for all Washingtonians
About the Association of Washington Business
Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association representing all sectors of business. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturers association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing and Microsoft, 90% of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.
About the Bellevue Chamber
With hundreds of members representing tens of thousands of employees, the Bellevue Chamber is the relationship, policy, and business development hub for organizations throughout the Puget Sound region. We connect businesses with potential employees, sales opportunities, and social engagement, and provide our members access to industry experts and real-time information impacting our city and the Eastside. Learn more at bellevuechamber.org.