Susan Hutchison Outlines King County Budget Priorities

September 28th, 2009

King County, WA—This morning on KUOW, Susan Hutchison addressed how she intends to govern as King County executive and outlined a multi-tiered set of budget priorities.  While the 2010 budget currently under consideration will be approved by the council before the next Executive takes office, Hutchison noted her plan is designed to give voters an understanding of how she would set priorities and effectively manage King County revenue.  

Susan stressed that for the past several years, King County government has engaged in a practice of reckless spending and unsustainable budgets.  Consequently, King County residents are now paying the price in the form of less public safety, the closing of neighborhood parks, and fewer services.  “I have budget priorities for us to follow that are different from my opponent and my predecessor,” Hutchison said.

While facing one of the toughest budgets in county history, Hutchison complimented current Executive Kurt Triplett for making the tough choices in impossible times.  As executive, Hutchison noted she would refocus county government on the core mandates as set by the state – public safety, law and justice, public health, and unincorporated services.  Hutchison also stated she would implement zero-base budgeting and look towards comparable county and state models throughout the United States to evaluate King County’s operating structure, budget process, and operating costs.

Susan’s plan also specified where she would make administrative cuts in our overgrown County Council staff – which despite dropping from 13 to 9 members in 2004, maintained its original budget.  Additionally, Hutchison promoted annexation of our remaining urban unincorporated areas and suggested embracing new tools and partnerships to keep parks and mental health services open and available.