The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1949-12-13
By ARTHUR B. L.ANGLTE
Governor, State Of Washington

OLYMPIA, Dec. 7-(INS)--T
financial dilemma unique in Its hi
high as 60 to 20 million dollars this
This Is a problem that soon may
have to be faced by other states
as realistically as we are facing
ours.
Washington must scale down its
welfare law In conformity with the
ability of the people to pay the bill.
We need new welfare law.
whether our broad-gauged, all
inclusive social security program
will lead our state into bankruptcy
is q question which has not only
the state administration but the
citizens of Washington troubled
ana greatly disturbed.
Economics are being made, but
economics are possible in only 3
per cent of the overall budget
Forty-three per cent of the state
budget. goes for the social security
program. Cuts (ranging from 5 to
40 per cent? have been ordered in
the social security program, effec.
tive January 1.
But it is up to the state supreme
court whether or not cuts can be
made.
BY inundated iniative, the people
voted in November. 1913 social
welfare program that not only
places a $50 floor under old age
and blind grants but includes the
broadcast kind of medical coverage,
general assistance and aid to de-
pendent children.
That the program authorized by
Initiative 172 is so broad in its
scope has come as a shock to
great many citizens of Washington
State.
Door Wide Open
Many have told me they did not
realize when the initiative was on
the ballot, that it would leave the
door so wide open to abuse.
They have made 1t clear to
me that--whiIe they favor as
generous assistance as possible
to the aged, blind and all those
In actual need Of welfare aid
they are opposed to any pro-
gram encouraging shiftless
ness and Iaziness among the
able-bodIed.
The total demands Of the social
security initiative call for evpendi-
ture Of between $50 and 240 million
dollars this biennium.
This staggering sum Is more
than $500 for each average family
IN the state.
The 206 million dollars appropri-
ated for social security by the 1919
legislature is at least 80 million
dollars below the full demands of
the initiative.
Further complicating our finan-
cial problem is the fact that the
state government started the BIZ
ennium with a recognized mini
mum deficit of at least go million
dollars in the general budget.
Despite the fact that the state
constitution prohibits general OBJ
legations in excess Of $4,000, the
state legislature in its last regu-
lar session refused to accede to
my recommendations.
Tt failed to pass a revenue meas
ure that would both balance the
budget and meet the demands OF
the social security initiative.
Initiative 172 is written upon
the state books for two years and
cannot be changed prior to the
next regular session of the legis-
lature in January, 1851.
Outlook Bad
The situation in which the state
finds itself Is no different from
that of an individual who Is living
beyond his income. He must either
cut his expenditures or allow his
obligations To pile up until he goes
into bankruptcy.
AS the executive administrator
of the state of Washington, face
the same fundamental problem.
AS an administrator, I have no
legal right to exceed the monies
appropriated by the legislative