Gregoire will tour state to roll out her spending plan

Instead of the usual one-day fanfare normally devoted to unveiling the governor's spending proposals for the coming legislative session, Gregoire plans to roll out her plan this week as a series of initiatives.


		Grant M. Haller / P-I
	Gov. Christine Gregoire plans to present her budget proposals as a series of initiatives.

Though the details are under wraps, Gregoire plans to promote an energy initiative that will include investments in development of alternative energy sources such as wind power and biodiesel. She will also introduce an education initiative that will include a summer program to help Washington students pass the WASL tests.

Gregoire will announce her proposals in various places around the state. She'll unveil her energy initiative in Eastern Washington, where investments could provide a much-needed boost to the rural economy. She's scheduled to reveal her education plan this week in Seattle, according to her communications director, Holly Armstrong.

"It's important for the governor to get around the state and talk to Washingtonians about how the next budget will affect real families and what this means to the state moving forward," Armstrong said. "Her goal is to make sure people not only see the numbers, but also make sure they understand what that means, what that looks like."

Gregoire's budget, which will be released next Tuesday, will also call for spending down the state's surplus to pay current obligations. Increased prison caseloads and school enrollments will cost $198 million; payments into the state pension plan will cost another $176 million; and $85 million more is needed to maintain a health-service account that provides health insurance for children.


		Grant M. Haller / P-I
	Gregoire, right, answers questions about the state's budget during a news conference on the Gallen Building's rooftop on Thursday. Behind her is the new Washington Mutual tower, under construction.

She also plans to use $46 million to maintain welfare services.

With the exception of these initiatives and mandates, Gregoire is expected to try to discourage the Legislature from spending any more of the state's $1.4 billion budget surplus.

"It's important not to spend all that, so we can move forward in the next budget," said Armstrong. "There's going to be a lot of pressure this year because of the increased revenue. Whenever you see that, everybody kind of comes grabbing in for cash. She wants to kind of lay down the rules ahead of time."

Not everyone is buying Gregoire's penny-pincher image.

Rep. Gary Alexander, R-Olympia, ranking Republican member on the House Appropriations Committee, is one of the skeptics.

"The governor who approved the biggest jump in state government spending since Governor Lowry was in office now wants taxpayers to believe she and the Democrat majority are going to be models of frugality. The state's treasury is expected to be much fatter this session, thanks in part to the revenues from the tax increases the governor and her party forced through," Alexander said.

"Are taxpayers supposed to believe she will now say 'no' when there is so much more in the bank?"

There is little or no support to roll back taxes among Democrats who control the House, Senate and Governor's Office.

By law, a budget must go to the Legislature by Dec. 20.

P-I reporter Chris McGann can be reached at 360-943-3990 or chrismcgann@seattlepi.com.

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