During these sunny summer days, next year’s legislative session may seem far off. But actually, our work to protect kids through the 2011 legislative session starts now.

With a looming gap of $3 billion between Washington’s expected revenue and the needs of the state, Governor Gregoire has launched a planning process for the 2011-2013 budget.

She has asked every state department to answer seven questions about each spending item and make a recommendation for how to cut spending. Question number one: “Is this an essential service?”

The Children’s Alliance wants to make sure that Washington’s values are not lost in the budget planning process. And we’re not alone. Children’s Alliance executive director, Paola Maranan, and Ingrid McDonald, advocacy director for AARP Washington, teamed up in this Seattle Times op-ed to send lawmakers a message: Keep Washington’s values at the core of the budget debate.

Our Federal Government handles many pressing issues – from foreign affairs to the environment to the economy. So where do kids fit into the picture? And what does that Washington have to do with what happens in Washington state?

The answer is a lot, which is why we sent our federal staffer to Washington D.C. last week to advocate for kids. What happens in the halls of Congress helps shape what programs are and aren’t funded in our state.

In this edition, you’ll read an Op-Ed co-authored by Paola Maranan, executive director of the Children’s Alliance, and Ingrid McDonald, advocacy director of AARP Washington, who sent a joint message to Governor Gregoire and other state lawmakers: Keep Washington’s values at the core of the budget debate. You’ll also find articles and opinions discussing ideas on how to address a projected $3 billion gap in next year’s budget. 

Opinion: The values in Washington state's budget | Seattle Times I 07-21-2010

As advocates for some of our long-standing shared priorities, such as caring for children and seniors, we hope that during this process, policymakers will be guided by our state's values — that we will protect priorities like education, health care and looking out for those struggling in this economy.

Opinion: Efficiency isn't the best way to evaluate government I Seattle PostGlobe I 07-21-2010

As the recession continues bumping along, tax receipts are continuing to fall behind what's needed to sustain public investments in education, health care and public safety. The governor has responded with a call for "transforming Washington's budget." As this "transforming" process heats up, we'll no doubt hear a lot about making government more "efficient," like the private sector. And that should raise a big red flag, because an economist would tell you that efficiency isn't really what you want to measure when it comes to governing well.

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