June 18, 2009

Rep. Ed Orcutt's statement on today's revenue forecast
'Any adjustments to our budget must be to the expenditures, not revenue.  We must align our budget with our revenue, not our revenue with our budget,' says Orcutt

Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, member of the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council, and ranking Republican on the House Finance Committee, released the following statement after today's updated Washington state revenue forecast:

"I'm hopeful this new forecast is a continuing indication that our economy is beginning to stabilize.  It's possible we may see some small downward trends in upcoming forecasts, but I'm hopeful the sharp drop in revenue collections is coming to an end.

"Whether we are in a consumer-led recession or an investment-led recession, we cannot afford to take any more money out of taxpayers' pockets.  Any adjustments to our budget must be to the expenditures, not revenue.  We must align our budgets with our revenue, not our revenue with our budgets.

"Based on the information we received today, I don't see the need for a special session.  I believe the September revenue forecast, the upcoming caseload forecast, and the governor's ability to cut costs through her cabinet agencies, will dictate whether or not a special session is needed."

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