Simple Solutions

          In the hope of finding solutions to the $2 billion state budget shortfall Governor Christine Gregoire announced she will convene the Legislature for a 30-day special session later this month.  In the previous blogpost, I pointed out how state officials are trying to scare voters into raising taxes while the legislature continues to fund low priority programs of those of limited or questionable value.  In addition to the cuts I suggested in that post here are five simple solutions that, if implemented, would go a long way toward solving the state budget crisis. 

1.  Stop hiring.  The Olympian newspaper noted in July that, “A state hiring freeze put in place by lawmakers expired last week, having created a lot of paperwork without stopping many jobs from being filled….”  The article noted that thousands were hired during the “freeze.”  The salary of each of these people is just the beginning.  With healthcare, pension, cost of living and automatic “STEP “ increases, the cost of each new employee mushrooms.  If our elected official can’t manage a true hiring freeze during a budget crisis we need new leadership.

2.  Prioritize Spending.  Most Americans routinely prioritize spending, but government rarely does.  When you discuss with your spouse what you can afford and what must be eliminated or put off for a later time, you are prioritizing spending.  Prioritizing is fundamental to sound budgeting.  As I mentioned in the previous blogpost, Washington State leaders need to eliminate those programs we can no longer afford such as the Washington State Arts Commission and the Historical Society and fully fund essential services such as police, courts and prisons.

3.  Place a moratorium on new rules and regulations.  Last month Representative Richard Debolt proposed a moratorium on rulemaking.  The idea is simple; make Washington State more business friendly.  By making the state a better place to start or grow a business, unemployment goes down and tax revenue goes up.  When we increase the regulatory burden, companies don’t expand or we lose them to more business friendly states.

4.  Cut red tape and streamline permit decisions.  Another way to make the state more business friend and reduce the regulatory burden is to cut red tape.  While the above moratorium remains in place, have government workers spend their time finding rules and regulations that should be streamlined or eliminated.   Streamline what remains so that any decision needed from the state can be quickly requested and answered.  Debolt suggested that the state be required to answer within 90 days.  That seems reasonable.

5.  Consult the Yellow Pages.  Amber Gunn of the Freedom Foundation suggests using a simple “Yellow Pages test” when considering whether to create a new government bureaucracy.  If you can find the service in the phone book, open it up to competitive bidding.  I suggest opening most state services to competitive bidding.  Chances are the private sector can do it cheaper. 

          These five common sense simple solutions may not solve all of the budget crisis , but they would go a long way toward restoring growth and prosperity to Washington State.