Cutting $5B 'may keep you awake,' Gregoire warns lawmakers
Gov. Chris Gregoire told lawmakers Tuesday that to balance the state budget, they must make decisions "that may keep you awake at night because in your heart they just don't seem right."
In her annual State of the State address, Gregoire called on legislators to cut programs and remake government to close a state budget shortfall approaching $5 billion.
The governor said Washington residents' "view of government is pretty clear — they want government to stay focused on its core services, live within its means, and use every taxpayer's dollar efficiently and effectively."