The 2009 Washington State legislature starts what looks to be a challenging legislative session on Monday, January 12th.

Facing a near $6 billion biennial shortfall for an overall budget of $34 billion, Governor Christine Gregoire has proposed substantial cuts in all areas of the state's budget. Governor Gregoire had warned that many would hate the budget, as she does.

Poor and vulnerable people would not fare well under the Governor's proposal. One example of this is the complete elimination of GA-U (General Assistance Unemployable), a state-funded program that provides $339 cash grants and basic medical coverage to low-income persons who are unable to work due to mental or physical impairments. While the State stands to reap short-term savings from such cuts, the human and long-term financial costs could be substantial.

House and Senate lawmakers, facing the economic recession and the state's worst fiscal crisis in over 25 years, will create a biennial budget as well. One of the lawmakers’ first tasks, however, will be to draft a supplemental budget that will carry the state through the final six months of the current biennium.