The Blog

Governor Chris Gregoire Marty Brown, Director, Office of Financial Management

07/20/10

Monday night nearly 450 citizens came to learn about the state budget and offer ideas for the next two-year spending plan. The session in Tacoma was the first of four executive budget hearings to be held this month as part of Governor Gregoire’s plan to transform Washington’s budget. States across the country continue to reel from the Great Recession, and ours is no different. But what is different is how we will meet this adversity.

We’re using a process called Priorities of Government — or POG — that starts a budget at the ground level and builds upon it by adding only the most essential services that the state should deliver.

We’re reinforcing POG by asking a series of eight tough questions that will ensure fiscal responsibility, efficiency and performance. Our aim is to get the best possible value for each taxpayer dollar by providing what citizens tell us are the most critical programs.

We invite you to attend a hearing and send your ideas for saving money. With your help, we will build a budget that represents us all within our means.