WHEREAS, the current official state economic and revenue forecast of general fund revenues is less than the official estimate upon which the state's 2009-2011 biennial operating budget and supplemental operating budget were enacted; and

WHEREAS, the anticipated revenues combined with the beginning cash balance of the general fund are insufficient to meet anticipated expenditures from this fund for the remainder of the current fiscal period; and

WHEREAS, a revised official economic and revenue forecast will be submitted in September pursuant to chapter 82.33 RCW which will reflect greater downturns in estimated receipts and revenues; and

WHEREAS, state law authorizes and directs the Governor to implement across-the-board reductions of allotments of appropriations to avoid a projected cash deficit; and

WHEREAS, under state law, an across-the-board reduction in allotments necessitated by a cash deficit applies to all agencies of state government, including agencies of the legislative and judicial branches and agencies headed by elected officials; and

WHEREAS, funding necessary for basic education, debt service on state bonds, state pension contributions and certain other purposes cannot be withheld;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christine O. Gregoire, Governor of the state of Washington, pursuant to chapter 43.88 RCW do hereby order:

The allotment of each appropriation from the State General Fund will be reduced effective October 1, 2010, by an amount necessary to avoid a cash deficit in the State General Fund. The reductions in allotments shall be based on the September 2010 official state economic and revenue forecast. The amount of the reduction in allotted spending authority shall be assigned to reserve status as provided in RCW 43.88.110.

The Director of the Office of Financial Management shall calculate the amount by which the aggregate of planned expenditures and disbursements charged to the General Fund will exceed the aggregate of estimated receipts credited to such fund in the current fiscal period, less the beginning cash balance. In making this calculation, the Director shall use the estimated receipts and revenues contained in the September 2010 official state economic and revenue forecast. The Director shall enter across-the-board revisions to the allotment of each appropriation from the State General Fund effective October 1, 2010, by the amount calculated under this order. The Director shall not withhold approval of spending authority necessary to satisfy constitutional obligations such as basic education, debt service on state bonds, and state pension contributions.

Signed and sealed with the official seal of the state of Washington on this 13th day of September 2010 at Olympia, Washington.

	By:
	Christine O. Gregoire Governor
BY THE GOVERNOR:
Sam Reed
Secretary of State

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office