Among the draconian measures proposed by Washington State Gov. Gary Locke to address a major budget crisis is the closure of the state library. Locke’s midcourse budget revisions would cut $566 million from the remaining year of the two-year budget cycle and add $573 million in new revenue.
Closing the state library, which employs nearly 140 people statewide, would save $5.6 million, the Seattle Times reported December 19. Locke’s plan also calls for the elimination of 29 other programs, for a total saving of $164 million.
“If this were to occur, we’d be the only state in the country without a state library,” said State Librarian Nancy Zussy, who told the Times that she plans to take the case for retaining the library to the state legislature.
Washington has been hit hard by the recession and the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, and rising health-care costs, school enrollments, and social-service caseloads have driven up spending, the Times reported. The state is required by law to balance its budget, and current projections show a shortfall of $1.2 billion.
Posted December 24, 2001.