I’d imagine we’re going to be seeing more stories like this all around the state:
Faced with a dire state budget forecast, Clark College has announced a hiring freeze and asked executive department heads to cut budgets about 3 percent.
That might not be all, for the 12,500-student Vancouver college.
Deeper budget cuts may follow as the state economy continues to slide, Clark President Bob Knight wrote in an e-mail to the college community on Wednesday night.
Our state’s revenue system makes this sort of thing pretty much inevitable. I remember writing stories about such stuff during the George H.W. Bush recession back in the early 1990’s for a community college newspaper.
Sure, it’s easier to play politics than to actually prioritize, but for once I would like to hear Republicans state how much education (and thus our state’s future potential economic growth) they wish to cut. Vague “waste fraud and abuse” accusations don’t count. Where efficiency can really be improved, that’s great, but it takes hard work in boring hearings, not campaign talking points.
I’d support an income tax , IF and ONLY if, they cut out the sales tax. Completely. No small percentage left. Totally gone and the state constitution changed to reflect that.
Course Bill Gates would have to move….
(sarcasm)Who need inexpensive education? Those elitist losers can get real jobs in the fields, taking jobs from illegals. (/sarcasm)
Out tax system is inequitable. There is an inverse proportionality between who is served and who pays. The tax system is also terribly unfriendly to business. Other than that it makes sense.
My own fave idea is a wealth tax. Wealth, esp. passive wealth like residential real estate, jewelry, etc has no productive value yet incurs very high costs since must be served and protected by the state.
I also like a mix of income and sales tax. The advantage of having both is that it allows you to exempt a reasonable portion of income from tax as a way of minimizing the effect of sales taxes on the basic costs of living.
Finally, besides taxes, I believe we need to take a lot more serious look at fees. FWIW it makes no sense to me that we charge bus fares but have almost no tolls?
Similarly, developers ought to be required to demonstrate that their efforts will at least be tax neutral. SLU is a great example. I have been told that SLU will increase, not decrease the taxes on the rest of Seattle because of the city’s contribution to the infrastructure. How does this make sense?
INVESTMENTS
I do not understand Jon’s choice of Clark College as an example related to the State. Clark is a private school. If it is not making money that is sad, but not really any sadder than if Starbucks was not making money.
How is this for radical? I feel we should eliminate most non profits. Why are churches and private schools tax exempt? Hell, Lakeside even issues PUBLIC bonds!
It seems to me that a college or church should do perfectly well paying taxes since those should be very low if the entity is really non profit.
Right now state and local governments are getting squeezed pretty hard — and it will only get worse. Look at the first round of layoffs just announced by King County. The state isn’t far behind, although we won’t have a real sense of the depths of the crisis until the spring forecast.
In a sense Rossi is right — he can cut the budget more easily because he’s such a knee-jerk winger. But even he will have trouble balancing the budget if he sticks with his transportation plan. Of course, he’ll drop that plan soon after the election (should he win) because it is DOA with a D-controlled Legislature.
Rossi can brag all he wants about making tough budget calls, but everything he proposes is going to have to be approved by the Legislature. If he becomes governor I suspect that we will see gridlock just like in California. Special session here we come!
@1 The Gates Commission recommendation was to replaced the state sales tax and B & O tax with a state income tax. There would still be a local sales tax. I believe the state portion of the sales tax is 6.2%, so you would end up with a state income tax plus a 3.7% sales tax.
If you don’t want a 9.4% sales tax, don’t vote for a light rail system that costs 6 to 8 times as much per mile as the average cost of light rail in other U.S. cities.
Cut the last 10,000 State Employees hired.
Each State Employee gets not only their salary but also a diamond benefit package of health/dental, social security, pension etc.
PLUS Paid Time-Off (that counts as something…if not, employees should forgo it as self employed taxpayers do not get PAID time-off) equivalent to another 50%+ of salary.
If the average salary cut is $50,000, that equates to $75,000 when benefits are included.
Also add to that another 25% for Overhead…so each FTE costs taxpayer’s approx, $100,000.
Times 10,000 employees equals $1 Billion.
Then eliminate the Dept. of Ecology, Superintendent of Public Instruction and 75% of all Depts. Administrative Budgets (STARTING WITH THE GOVERNOR”S OFFICE…Gregoire has 41 employees in her Dept. with SALARIES over $100,000…Gary Locke had only 7).
That ought to do it.
Wrong!!! Clark College is the public community college in Clark County.
@9
????
Fishwrapper Endorses Rossi
That’s no surprise, but what’s really amazing is the fishwrapper’s Republican owner doesn’t breathe the phrase “estate taxes” even once in his editorial. Instead, he’s more subtle:
“Dino Rossi should be elected governor Nov. 4 because he can best be trusted to erase the state’s huge projected deficit without raising taxes.”
Well, let’s see how that would work.
“When he says he’ll cut spending, you can believe him, because he has done it, and because he represents a constituency that wants it done.”
The editorial continues:
“Consider one example: the proportion of health insurance paid by the employee. In the private sector, the employee’s share … averages more than a third. At the state, the employee’s share is 12 percent. A few months ago, Gregoire agreed to keep it at 12 percent. She could try to take back this gift, but it would be difficult. For Rossi, it would not be so difficult. He would probably say that in the midst of an economic crisis, it was unfair to save an employee’s benefit by raising taxes on other employees who don’t have that benefit.”
Someone should ask the Times why their editorial doesn’t explain that the reason state employees get better benefits is because they’re paid less than private sector workers performing comparable work.
This is, of course, a pay cut for state employees — at a time when Republican economic policies have led to runaway inflation. State workers deserve cost of living increases, not benefit cuts. That may not be possible in the current budget climate. But let’s keep this in mind: Nothing state workers get is a “gift.” The state pays them for their time and work because it has to. If you don’t pay workers, they won’t work for you.
Take me, for example. I don’t work! I don’t produce anything, either! Why should I, when Republican economic policies dictate taxing the shit out of wages while giving gigantic tax breaks to asset owners? Under such policies, working is irrational, and the only rational behavior is quitting your job and flipping assets. That’s what I did!
It’s no skin off my back if Rossi gets elected and dings state workers for another 21% of their health insurance costs. (And if McSame gets elected they’ll get to pay income taxes on the state’s remaining contribution, too! Yeah, voting Republican works out real good for the working class, doesn’t it?!)
But it’ll be skin off your back, because for the average state worker that’ll be a pay cut of 5% to 10% at a time when inflation is running double digits, so what do you think they’ll do? They’ll walk, that’s what.
Like I said, nothing state workers get is a “gift.” State pay is below the competitive market now, and has been for decades. Cutting state pay and benefits further will make it even harder for state government to recruit and retain qualified workers. It will raise training costs and increase error losses. It’ll result in lousier service and frustrated citizens. It’ll end up costing taxpayers more in the long run.
As you can see, Frank has knee-jerked this endorsement, just like he knee-jerked his knee-jerk endorsements of congressional incumbents, and hasn’t thought this through.
You know what would happen if Frank cut his employees’ health benefits? They’d either demand higher pay or go on strike. What do you think state workers will do if Rossi cuts their health benefits? Some will leave for better jobs, and many job candidates will look elsewhere for opportunities.
Is that the kind of state government we want?
It would appear that Clark College started out as a private institution but was taken over by the state at some point. Its trustees are appointed by the Governor.
It’s somewhat curious that the college’s Web site appears to make no mention of exactly when the change from private to public ownership took place, or of the circumstances.
Dino Rossi was obviously educated at the “John McCain School of Economics.” He’s going to cut taxes, freeze spending, spend millions building thousands of miles of new highways, and protect “our most vulnerable citizens:” Republicans.
You see, if you have spent decades denying reality and believing fairy-tale dogma, it’s easy.
11 Whether employees of the Times, the state or any other employer will be so bold as to walk out if their benefits or salaries are cut would depend on just how bad things get. Worst-case, there won’t be anywhere to go.
@10 Wikipedia entry on Clark College (Vancouver) says: “Clark College is a community college located in Vancouver, Washington … founded as a private, two-year, junior college in 1933. … The college first received state support in 1941, … was reorganized as a public institution in 1958 and incorporated into the statewide community college system in 1967.”
@14 That didn’t keep Boeing workers from striking. But even when employees don’t strike or quit, pay cuts — especially pay cuts in inflationary times — breed resentments that undercut productivity and employee loyalty. An employer might not pay for such a move right away, but he’ll pay for it in the long run. Workers are accustomed to layoffs in tough times, but cutting pay in inflationary times is highly unusual and would be very provocative.
“Sure, it’s easier to play politics than to actually prioritize,”
That goes both ways. Passing laws with no funding is equally as irresponsible.
The Times hit a home run here:
“Consider one example: the proportion of health insurance paid by the employee. In the private sector, the employee’s share … averages more than a third. At the state, the employee’s share is 12 percent. A few months ago, Gregoire agreed to keep it at 12 percent. She could try to take back this gift, but it would be difficult. For Rossi, it would not be so difficult. He would probably say that in the midst of an economic crisis, it was unfair to save an employee’s benefit by raising taxes on other employees who don’t have that benefit.”
The State Employees have a diamond benefit package including a ridiculous defined benefit retirement plan that will probably be nearly $8 BILLION underfunded when the next financial report trickles out after the election (conveniently).
As I have been saying repeatedly…and as the Times so eloquently states:
It’s
Gregoire===State Employees vs.
Rossi===Job-creating, tax-paying employers.
Rog–
As an angry retired 30-year State Employee, you could really help the Rossi Campaign by doing a Gregoire Ad re-spewing what you spewed @ 11….
Let me challenge you…if State Employees think they can do sooooooooo much better in the private sector, let them try!
I never believed “Public Service” jobs should be lifetime careers. They should be 10 years…maximum. As you know Rog, the system beats you down and makes you less & less effective.
We need to change the culture.
VOTE ROSSI!
@9 aneurin
@12 artfart
from their site:
Clark College was founded as a private, two-year junior college in 1933 and was granted initial accreditation in 1937 based upon a visit by a committee of five professors from the University of Washington. The college received accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities in 1948 and has maintained that standing, through periodic reviews, to the present.
???
Republican with suggestions:
#1. SHUT DOWN ALL ASSOCIATIONS OF NON-TEACHERS: Enuf said. No more excuse for travel or off-SAAM activity
#2. NO MORE MEETINGS AT NON-STATE FACILITIES – such as legislative luncheons at casinos
#3. NO PAY INCREASES IN A RECESSION, PERIOD – that should help protect the classroom
from the Wiki
The college, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary on October 1, 2008, was founded as a private, two-year, junior college in 1933. Originally known as Vancouver Junior College, the college was located at the old Hidden House (currently the Hidden House restaurant) at 100 W 13th Street in downtown Vancouver from 1933-1937, moving several times within the city. The main campus was formerly part of the Vancouver Barracks, which extended from Fourth Plain to the Columbia River but were ceded by the U.S. Army to the city to become Central Park. In 1951 the Applied Arts Center became its first building at the current location, when the college first offered evening classes. After the Kaiser Shipyards boom of World War II, Clark College rapidly grew to meet the educational needs of the expanded population, the 1944 Serviceman’s Readjustment Act and the baby boom.
The college first received state support in 1941, being supervised by the State Board of Education in 1946 with the Vancouver School Board serving as its policy-making body until it was reorganized as a public institution in 1958 and incorporated into the statewide community college system in 1967.
Why do Republicans raise money for Al Qaida and the Taliban? Is it because Republicans hate America for our freedoms?
http://www.associatedcontent.c.....ander.html
One of the dumbest things one can do in tight times is cut into the muscle that generates productivity in good times.
I have an idea ..
lets STOP all state subsidies to
semiprocollege and pro athletics!Josef? Is that foreign? Hmm, probably a terrorist. Or maybe a Nazi.
Why do Republicans accept donations from America-hating terrorists??
http://blogs.abcnews.com/thebl.....rrori.html
Is it because Republicans hate America too?
Josef for Rossi spewed:
Republican with suggestions:
So much for the Constitutional right of free association.
Has this really been a big budget item?
I suppose that empty classrooms might be easier to “protect” than classrooms filled with students and teachers. You do realize that recruiting and retaining good teachers is difficult, even in the best of times, don’t you?
Yes, all Republican suggestions. One clearly unconstitutional, one clearly ineffective at reducing the budget, and one apparently designed to destroy the public school system.
Three up, three down. Next team.
@17 “That goes both ways. Passing laws with no funding is equally as irresponsible.”
You’re against citizen initiatives?
@12, 15
Thanks!
@19 Cynical, why would I be angry? I have a diamond benefit package including a ridiculous defined-benefit pension that I paid for myself with deductions from my paychecks and retiree health insurance that I pay for out of my own pocket without any state contribution or subsidy. Yeah, I know it doesn’t sound all that great — and, to tell you the truth, it isn’t — but it sure beats having my pension stolen by a crooked corporation or having no health insurance at all because some private insurer dropped me the first time I got sick or went to the doctor. Compared to what the private sector does to people, I’m in rabbit heaven! Angry? Nah, you’re the only angry old man here.
Josef wasn’t educated in public schools. He was raised by wolves in a cave. Wait, strike that, he was raised in a tree by owls! That’s why everything he says is a hoot.
@21 Josef, have you asked Jill Strait for a date, or are you going to beat off at your keyboard and let her get away like Zits did? Doesn’t it bother you that Zits is fucking someone else tonight?
Colin Powell To Endorse Obama?
Howard Fineman of Newsweek predicts he might do just that during his scheduled appearance on “Meet The Press” this Sunday. Fineman wrote:
“Powell simply has no use anymore — if he ever had any — for the neo-con cowboys he thinks misled the country (and him) into a mistaken and costly war in Iraq.”
(Quoted under fair use.)
Who would have thunk that seattlejew would be a closet republican.
High taxes are good. Joe biden even said it was patriotic.
It’s just spreading the wealth around.
Sounds sad.
You’re paying for health insurance out of your own pocket and it’s not that good.
No wonder you’ve bitched and moaned about being a government employee.
36 MS
That’s what John McCain wants ofr all of us. Once he’s done raiding Medicare to “pay” for his health insurance “plan,” which will cause an aditional 20 million Americans to lsoe their employee-sponsored benefits, we’ll mosly all be paying for ti all out of our posckets, adn only those with deep pockets will be able to purchase acceptabl;e health outcomes.
@8 “Each State Employee gets not only their salary but also a diamond benefit package of health/dental, social security, pension etc.”
Diamond benefit package? Every worker in the country gets social security, you fucking idiot! And even in the private sector, the vast majority of employees get health/dental benefits, although the number who do is steadily shrinking as private employers strive ever harder to cut wages and impose take-backs.
@25 Sounds Russian to me. You know, as in Josef Stalin, history’s worst mass murderer.