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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Hello from Olympia, we are currently in the 11th of a 15 week 2013 legislative session.
Revenue forecast released
On March 20, the quarterly state revenue forecast was released. This is the thermometer that takes the temperature of our economic climate, and guides the operating budget proposals we will hear in the coming weeks. This forecast gives the legislature a starting point to begin our financial planning and budgeting for the 2013-2015 time period. The general fund net change is an increase of $58.8 million through the current budget cycle, which ends in June of this year. This forecast shows the state in a spending deficit for the upcoming 2013-2015 budget cycle. We are clearly not out of the woods yet. It's time to focus on the priorities of government. We must fund education first, preserve public safety and protect our most vulnerable citizens. We can and should do all of this within existing revenue and without raising taxes.
As your Representative I feel strongly that the legislature needs to tread lightly; citizens and businesses need certainty and predictability to be comfortable to spend their hard earned dollars and grow the economy. Looming tax increases do not lend well to that sense of certainty and predictability.
Navy Day
Last week we celebrated Navy Day in the House of Representatives where we honored the service of men and women in the Navy. As a Navy veteran I was proud to join fellow legislators and honor our current sailors and airmen and veterans alike.
This remembrance was especially poignant, given the recent tragic loss of three of our local N.A.S. Whidbey aviators when their EA-6B Prowler crashed in Eastern Washington. It was a great loss to our community and to the families of the three crew members killed. My thoughts and personal prayers are with the immediate family members as well as the sailors and officers of VAQ-129 and the greater Whidbey Island community.
It is an honor to serve as your representative. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Dave Hayes
