KPTV - FOX 12WA gov. outlines plans for $2 billion budget deficit

WA gov. outlines plans for $2 billion budget deficit

Gov. Chris Gregoire brought the statewide conversation about Washington's $2 billion budget gap to Vancouver on Monday.

Gregoire spoke to a group of students at the Clark County Skills Center, where she discussed cuts in education and other programs.

The governor says she is not endorsing eliminating school bus transportation, which had been on the list of possible cuts.

But the active list includes state spending, ranging from education to low-income health care to post-prison supervision.

The governor says slashing $2 billion more from the state budget would be "dreadful" work, and that people in Washington will be getting "a lot less of what they need."

For public schools, Gregoire says class sizes will likely increase by an average of two students in grades 4 through 12.

Less state aid will mean fewer teachers and classes that would average about 29 children in some lower grades.

The average high school class size would bump up to almost 31 students.

Additionally, higher education would receive 15 percent fewer state dollars for colleges, universities and community college programs.

At Clark College in Vancouver, students are not looking forward to potential reductions in staff and course offerings.

"I'm actually here because of budget cuts," said Clark College student Bo Bowden. "I used to have a really good job as a subcontractor, but when they changed how much money they were spending there, I lost my job with the state. Now I'm here trying to find a new profession."

Gregoire says she's looking to engage Washington state lawmakers in finding the least painful way to balance the $2 billion budget gap.

She wants to complete the plan before this month is over.

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