Seattle – Following the hijacking of the state budget by Senate Republicans
on Friday, Dwight Pelz, chair of the Washington State Democratic Party,
issued the following the statement:

"On Friday, we had the misfortune of learning that Republicans will use any
means necessary to push their devastating budget on Washingtonians -
robbing $110 million from education and cutting other critical programs
that assist seniors and our most vulnerable populations.  These painful
cuts and outrageous tactics are completely out of touch with Washington
values.

"Now that we know what Republicans have in store, we must stand prepared
to keep them from enacting their disturbing plans. The first order of
business is learning where Rob McKenna stands.  As a candidate who says
that he wants to increase funding for education, does Rob McKenna support
his Republican colleagues' cuts to K-12 and higher education?"