That's Washington state's projected budget deficit for next year. It's going to get ugly in Olympia this winter. And no one could've predicted that the state GOP would take this position:

Republicans warn that going to the tax well now is a bad idea, with the economic recovery still fragile.

When times are bad and budgets are in the red, the GOP says we can't raise taxes because people will suffer. When times are good and budgets are in the black, the GOP says we have to cut the taxes of people who aren't suffering. See how that works? Thank God we've got a Democratic governor and Democratic supermajorities in the legislature! With Dems in charge the state budget won't be balanced on the backs of the most vulnerable and those who are already suffering...

The governor says she's seriously looking at eliminating entire programs to close the budget hole. Cuts may include state subsidized health insurance for the working poor and a welfare program for single adults with mental or physical disabilities.

Jesus—why do we bother electing Democrats at all?