Holmquist says a balanced budget possible

No need for new taxes in state, lawmaker said

COLUMBIA BASIN — Concerned about the future of the state in a Gregoire-led administration, State Rep. Janea Holmquist started a third term in the State Legislature.

Holmquist, a Republican from Moses Lake fresh off her November victory over Democrat challenger Dale Hubbard, said four topics will be the biggest challenges for her during the 2005 session. The first will be protecting families and businesses from tax increases when balancing the budget.

She said she "has all the confidence" that it is possible to balance a budget without new taxes.

"Anybody who can balance a checkbook knows you can't spend more than you have coming in, and if you gotta cut, you gotta cut."

To Holmquist, whoever ends up becoming the governor will play a huge part on how budget unfolds.

"(Former state Sen.) Dino (Rossi) has proven himself balancing the budget without new taxes and working across the aisle and bringing them together," she said.

Regarding Rossi's rival, Holmquist said "our past attorney general has never really said 'no new taxes.' It's a great concern to me as a legislator."

Crucial to the recovery of the state's economy, she said, will be the creation of jobs and the improvement of the state's business climate. Third will be improving health care by reducing the insurance costs and increasing insurance choice.

Fourth will be to continue to protect water rights and develop a "more workable water policy for the Basin."

Other tasks will include making sure that no unfunded mandates are passed on to local governments, she added.

Holmquist said that although Democrats have a majority in both houses of the Legislature, her party is on the side of the citizens.

"(Citizens) made a really strong statement last fall when they opposed a sales tax increase," she said. "We definitely are on the side that (believes that) we have to continue prioritizing and spending within our means."

During this session, work will continue on some unfinished business from previous years, she said. Issues like workers' compensation, tort reform and minimum wage reform will be part of her focus, as well.

A proposal to reform minimum wage, the highest in the nation, is to tie it to the unemployment rate and wait until that rate is at an even keel with the nation's unemployment rate. The state's unemployment rate is the second highest in the nation.

Despite this, she maintained her optimism regarding the session and what it could bring to the Columbia Basin

"There is hope," she said. "I appreciate continued prayers."