WASHINGTON HOUSE REPUBLICANS
RADIO FEED TRANSCRIPT
Legislator: Rep. Ed Orcutt
Date: June 20, 2012
Topic: Orcutt says flat revenue forecast shows need for regulatory and fiscal reforms
Run Time: 74 seconds
SUGGESTED LEAD:
Washington’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council says the state is expected to gain about 156 million dollars more in revenue for the current budget cycle than predicted in February. However, the council’s chairman says the increase is due to legislative actions and is not a sign of significant improvement in the state’s economy. John Sattgast reports from Olympia.
Time: 1:14
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Sattgast: Republican Representative and Forecast Council Chairman Ed Orcutt says the new numbers essentially show the revenue forecast has flatlined.
Time: 6 seconds
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Orcutt: “Based on the economy, we are actually down in this forecast, not only in this biennium, but for the next.”
Sattgast: Aside from 266 million dollars in the “Rainy-Day Fund,” which cannot be spent without legislative action, Orcutt points out that only 23 million dollars remain in the state’s unrestricted savings account – and there’s still more than a year left in the budget cycle.
Time: 11 seconds
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Orcutt: “So if something happens and our next revenue forecast comes in down by more than 23 million dollars, it’s not going to take much of a drop in the economy to force legislative action of some sort.”
Sattgast: The 18th District state representative from Kalama is extremely concerned that job growth has not improved in Washington. That’s a key element, he says, toward increasing state revenues.
Time: 11 seconds
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Orcutt: “We’re still negative on jobs. We need to start dealing with the regulatory climate in this state. We need to start dealing with the tax climate in this state and other issues that are affecting our employers.”
Sattgast: Unless the Legislature passes reforms to create certainty in the economy and foster private-sector job growth, Orcutt fears incoming state revenues will likely remain flat – or even worse – creating more problems for the state budget. John Sattgast, Olympia.
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For more information, contact: John Sattgast, Broadcast Coordinator – (360) 786-7257; E-mail: john.sattgast@leg.wa.gov