Originally published November 24, 2009 at 3:28 PM | Page modified November 24, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Comments (0)
E-mail article
Print
Share
Local elected officials preserve programs of value to the community
In tough economic times, budget writers for Seattle and King County are mostly in the business of making cuts. As they should be. But two spending decisions for library hours and domestic violence and sexual assault deserve plaudits.
IN these tough economic times, budget writers in Seattle and King County struggle to cut a program here and maintain one of value somewhere else. Budgeteers in both jurisdictions made two commendable decisions to save services.
The Seattle City Council wisely opted to minimize hefty cuts in library hours. The Metropolitan King County Council restored $1.4 million for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
These council members are making the tough decisions required of them, holding onto programs with broad community value and also making necessary cuts.
Libraries, along with the rest of city government, were facing significant cuts. Libraries still will experience more cuts in hours of operation than anticipated six months ago, but not as deeply as outgoing Mayor Greg Nickels first proposed. That reflects responsible prioritizing.
The council restored more than half the $1.2 million in cuts to hours proposed by Nickels, so instead of having just six libraries open seven days a week, a dozen libraries will be open seven days a week. Fifteen branches will be open only five days. The council did not have enough money to keep them open every day.
The council didn't wave a magic wand and find money. Members, for example, decided to reduce funding for the mayor's office, to require employee furloughs and to use parking tickets as more of an overall revenue booster than the mayor did. Nickels proposed raising parking fines by $2; the council doubled the increase to $4.
In a difficult economy, more people rely on library resources to find jobs and prepare for job interviews.
King County Councilmember Larry Gossett put it well when he said the public hearing part of county budget deliberations proves its value every year. This year, testimony from survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault compelled the council to restore funding for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Think about it: Lousy economic times create more stress for families and can prompt a higher incidence of domestic violence. The council listened and responded.
These programs save lives. The $1.4 million restored will pay to prevent additional violence and provide counseling and legal advocacy for survivors navigating the judicial system.
There are many cuts in both budgets with which the public will agree and disagree. But two forward-looking decisions — on library hours and on sexual assault and domestic violence — stand out for community appreciation and thanks.
NEW - 5:04 PM
Washington's state House should pass workers compensation reform bill
NEW - 5:05 PM
Breathe easier, a plan to stop burning coal for power
Heed auditor's recommendation about consolidating school health plans
Uncover managers' role in Seattle schools scandal
Detractors of crusade against childhood obesity should eat their words

Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
nwautos
Turismo upgrade "Gran Turismo 5: XL Edition" for PlayStation 3 has features such as new car-tuning settings, new NASCAR vehicles, better replay video...
Post a comment
- Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Agency set to investigate handling of 911 call about Josh Powell
- Quick decisions: How Washington hired its new football staff
- Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looms
- Justin Wilcox's versatile defensive style is the right fit for Huskies | Jerry Brewer
- Social worker recounts minutes before Powell fire
- It's Terrence Time: Enigmatic Ross leads Huskies
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- Club promoter convicted in brutal 2010 murder of Des Moines prostitute
- Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature
471 - Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looming
360 - Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
300 - 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
243 - Source: NY, California to sign mortgage settlement
231 - Oregon live game thread
155 - Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details
147 - Pac-12 picks ... including the UW game
140 - AP Source: Obama to change birth control rule
131 - Worker: Josh Powell told son he had 'surprise'
103
- State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
- One man's audacious pursuit of sailing history
- Economy, blogs give survivalists new reason to look to Northwest
- Darren Berg gets 18-year sentence for Ponzi scheme
- State's share of mortgage settlement: $648 million
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- Bellevue College adds a third bachelor's degree program
- 'Gauguin and Polynesia': dazzling mix-and-match | Art review







