Washington state is not alone in budget misery

THE state of Arizona plans to close 13 state parks, the largest closure of state parks in the country. Several other states are also slashing park operations. Michigan ended a subsidy to the state fair, effectively closing it down after 161 years. Other states are whacking libraries, aid to foster families, credits to filmmakers.

It's ugly out there in state capitols across the country. Washington faces a dismal $2.6 billion deficit for the rest of the 2009-2011 biennium. The next two-year cycle doesn't look much better. Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire says everything is on the table. But our state is by no means alone.

Thirty-six states face shortfalls just for the rest of the current fiscal year, which extends to June 30. California all but invented the furlough for state employees, which became an overnight sensation among budget-strapped states.

Our state's deficit is not as big as the five states facing the most daunting woes. The five biggest losers are California, Arizona, Nevada, Florida and Michigan.

"It's very much a revenue-generated problem, aggravated by rising caseloads in programs like Medicaid where people go for assistance after losing their jobs," says Arturo Perez at the National Conference of State Legislatures in Colorado.

Some states, such as California, look to the future and see budget woes stretching out several years — nothing but red ink and pain.

The notion that misery loves company doesn't provide specific help to Washington lawmakers, but it does offer context.

Although state revenue collections are above projections for the first time in many months, waiting for a rosier economic forecast is not sensible. Caseloads are also increasing and that sometimes cancels out any extra money.

Lawmakers, therefore, have to dig in and cut deep because revenues looking out several years are not there. Systemic changes have to be made in the budget, and yes, everybody is doing it.