YAKIMA, Wash. - Short-term budget cuts will cause long-term damage to Washington's most vulnerable citizens, according to a coalition of advocates for an overhaul of the state revenue system. They're holding five news conferences today across the state to detail their concerns about potential cuts to senior services, and urge the legislature to find other ways to fund the programs for health care, meals, transportation and in-home care.

Lori Brown, director of the Area Agency on Aging for the Yakima region, says she has read some heart-wrenching letters from seniors asking that their programs be spared.

"'I receive $18 in food stamps and I need this meal.' Others have talked about their congregate meal site, which would be closed if these cuts move forward; that the only fellowship they have is when they share a meal with other seniors."

Ingrid McDonald, advocacy director for AARP Washington, says these programs have allowed the state to decrease its nursing home population from 18,000 to 10,000, at a huge cost savings. It is progress she says will disappear if lawmakers look at numbers, instead of people.

"It's about Grandma. It's about my neighbor's aunt who lives with her. It's about specific people in our communities who are frail and vulnerable, but getting by and maintaining a quality of life because of some assistance they're getting through the state."

The coalition, called Rebuilding Our Economic Future, is asking lawmakers and the governor to consider all revenue-generating options this session, including closing tax exemptions and raising some types of taxes, to prevent another $2.6 billion in budget cuts this year. Those who disagree say the budget deficit should be a signal to spend less, now and in the future.