Gregoire proposes deep budget cuts
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, responding to a massive budget gap of $4.6 billion and public sentiment against tax hikes, is proposing a $32 billion two-year state budget that slashes virtually every segment of state spending. The governor recommended eliminating some of her favorite programs, including health coverage for the working poor, tax support of state parks, Disability Lifeline grants, Children’s Health Program, class-size reduction in K-4, and more. She proposed shuttering the history museums in Tacoma and Spokane and freezing…