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Opportunity Knocks
When times get tough, the tough must get going. And that’s where Seattle is, heading into Year Two of the Toughest Times in our Generation. At the city, we’re looking at an even leaner budget in 2010 than the one we’ve been struggling to live through in 2009.
Seattle is, by no means, in this world of hurt alone. The federal government has been forced to borrow to keep the nation’s institutions afloat. The state has pared its budget to bare bones and beyond. And, just across the street, King County risks bidding goodbye to a lifeboat filled with services. The fact that Seattle, too, has had to undergo some painful midyear budget reductions is no surprise.
It’s helpful, however, to realize that Seattle’s cutbacks are like a sneeze compared to pneumonia suffered elsewhere. A Pew Charitable Trust study found that Seattle, of major cities, had faced the smallest percentage reduction of any major U.S. city. The $43 million trimmed from estimated revenues was only 5 percent of the city’s general fund. That compares to New York City’s 10 percent shortfall; Los Angeles’ 12 percent; Chicago’s 13 percent, and Detroit’s 20 percent.
What helped Seattle was its robust economy, its healthy business climate and the city’s conservative approach to budgeting. For this, I give credit to the mayor, the City Council and to enlightened fiscal policies of former budget chairs like Councilmember Richard McIver. When times were prosperous in the past, they worked together to budget carefully. Instead of starting major new programs, the city used its welcome windfalls to accomplish one-time goals like repairing community centers and fixing leaky roofs.
Beyond that, the council resisted calls for unsustainable spending and set aside a rainy day fund that now stands at $30 million. It is hoped the fund, likely to be tapped this year, will provide enough cushion to see us into better days ahead.
Meanwhile, I believe that it’s possible to rethink some of our programs, to discover areas where savings can be made and to find duplications of effort. We need to look at ways to streamline government and make it work better for citizens. Along with President Obama, I agree that a recession is too big an opportunity to waste.
Fortunately, the council is not alone in this effort. Over the next several months, we’ll be asking for advice from Seattle citizens. We will be holding workshops and open houses, public hearings and open discussions. While the mayor is talking with city department heads, drawing up his proposed 2010 budget, we’ll be soliciting suggestions for how to turn an ordeal into an opportunity. It’s going to be more important than ever for the council to hear from YOU. Working together, we can come through tough times stronger than ever.
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