Wouldn't it be immoral to make these cuts and build a $4+ billion tunnel?

Still not touched: highway funding of any kind.

Whatever she does, the budget grew way out of proportion for the population increase in WA state in the last decade. They'd have to cut it five times what she proposes for it to be even in line with normalcy.

"Elimination of the Disability Lifeline Grant and Medical programs, saving $43.5 million in GF-S and $22.6 million in federal funds."

When does this take effect? This is truly tragic..

But the constitution! We can't touch the gas tax! The voters said no!

Listen, Governor Gregoire, if people's lives are at stake the constitution shouldn't bind you to their death -- and if it does, the constitution is BROKEN.

We are a compassionate state. We aren't going to kick you out if you do the right thing, we aren't going to dismantle your legacy if you make an unpopular decision and save lives by preserving these programs. You just won't do it, and you attack Seattle, your base, and our duly elected Mayor, in order to make your political hay. You cut programs, you thumb your nose at everyone. You tell the legislature to do all the heavy lifting. You veto things people want and then make cuts to deepen the pain.

You've had over 5 years to make the reforms you proposed and you haven't. Our tax system is broken, nobody has taken the initiative to solve our problems, they've become part of the problem. And now that it's all come to a head, you're offering only cuts and demanding others fix your mess. It doesn't work that way. YOU ARE THE EXECUTIVE, DO SOMETHING.

Do the right thing or resign.

No, not Brad Owen. Please.

You know, Speaking of the Law and I'm Glad we've come TO THIS PART because at the Tender Age 7... I became a Ward of the State of Illinois due to an Eye Accident and Subsequent Health Care Legalities. I've lived here for 33 years and have been on Basic Health for the last 13 years. You'd think that after Illinois, this would seem Easy to Comprehend, but I would like to understand how the State can SET UP the Weak and Lesser Fortunate INSTEAD of being the ADVOCATE for the Civilian Population. That is that under the NEW BASIC HEALTH RULES, which by the way came about after I had some VERY INEXPENSIVE Cataract Surgery, Requires that you ANTE IN to your Hospital Care a Copay of about 2000 if you are having Significant Health PROCEDURES, DUE IN FULL at the time you are laid up. This Copay is GOOD for the CALENDAR YEAR! Now if the Gov SLASHES the Basic Health Plan as of March 1, that means she has STOLEN that 2000 from those of the 66,000 Health Plan Members who were Unexpectedly ill and Required the Service and to Pay the Copay. Now how MUCH can that be $$$for a THIEF???? OR if it was a PLANNED Surgery, that some of the 66,000 member(s) got as a Christmas Present, the FACT that NO VICTORIA, YOU WON'T BE CURED OF CANCER!!!
Is the Government LOOKING for NEW WAYS to be CRUEL AND INHUMAN??? Because this doesn't sound Very Constitutional, Very Legal or VERY NICE!!! And Yes, and I Will Never be Elected EITHER!!!

The executive of the state can't change the constitution. The legislature has to amend the constitution. You must know that, Baconcat. The people voted for 1053 and the other harmful initiatives, and the legislatures (many of them) before that added to corporate tax breaks. The financial industry brought on the recession which caused greater need. It ain't the Governor's fault. She has to propose a balanced budget. It's up to the legislature to deal with that budget.