How would you cut the state budget?

Cut the length of supervision for offenders in Washington. Add two students to most public school classrooms. Whack 15 percent from the support the state gives to colleges and universities.

Governor Chris Gregoire says she doesn’t even like her proposed budget cuts but something – about $2 billion – has to give. “The alternatives we have put forward could have dire repercussions for the citizens of our state,” Gregoire says. “But the Great Recession has taken an almost unprecedented toll on our state’s revenue stream and left us with very few options.”

One of my readers, Chris Anderson writes:

I think it would be very nice if you would compose a post asking us – regular citizens – how the Governor should do her “cuts”. We hear all about what “she” wants to do, but as of yet, I don’t think any news agency has asked us. Also, please give us relevant choices, and not just what she has said. Yes, include hers, but add 1) further reduce government worker salaries by 17% more, making a total of 20%, or 2) further reduce government worker salaries an addition 7% for those making under 50000, and 17% for over 50000. Many, me included, have been reduced 20% for over 2 years now, and she is unrealistic with her 3% reduction. List more alternatives if you want, but please try to be fair and realistic.

“I don’t think any news agency has asked us,” he says.

So, I’m asking. What would you cut from the state budget?

Here’s information to help you get started cutting the budget.

Look through the 2011-13 enacted Capital, Operating and Transportation budgets. Below you’ll find a listing of the governor’s proposed budget cuts by category. I’m highlighting the biggest recommended cuts from each division.

1. Education Save $303 million by ending the state’s largest financial aid program, which provides 70,000 to low-income students.

2. Social and human services Change the eligibility requirements for 25,000 developmentally disabled and elderly clients who now receive in-home help, to save $204 million.

3. Health services The largest cut would be $145 million by changing the eligibility requirements – a clinical way of saying “cutting off” or “stranding” – 134,000 children who are getting health insurance from the state because their parents can’t afford or don’t have coverage.

4. Public safety Eliminate offender supervision except for interstate cases and special sentences to save $97 million.

5. Natural resources $2.6 million in savings with the Department of Ecology by not filling 14 state-funded jobs.

6. General government About $45 million will be gone by eliminating the state’s essential needs and housing support program. Grants to about 16,000 low-income people will be terminated.

7. Employee compensation By imposing 10 more furlough days, the state could save $38 million, effecting between 14,000 and 24,000 workers.

8. Local government revenue sharing Or, what can the state get away with not passing on to cities and counties? Effective in February of 2012, the state will save about $54 million by eliminating liquor profits sharing. The state might not have that money to share anyway if voters pass Initiative 1183 to take the state out of the liquor business.

A special legislative session begins in Olympia on November 28, 2011.

(AP file photo)