Metropolitan King County Council Budget Chair Julia Patterson and Councilmember Larry Gossett, members of the Council’s Budget Leadership Team, today released this statement in response to the defeat of a proposal to raise the sales and use tax in King County by two-tenths of one percent to fund criminal justice programs:

“The idea of putting this measure on the ballot was to give the voters of King County a voice in the tough decisions that will be taking place over the next two weeks as we complete the 2011 County Budget. The voters have been clear in their choice and we are prepared to make the necessary cuts to public safety to balance this budget.

“The theme for our budget deliberations has been ‘Balancing the Budget—Sharing the Pain.’ State law requires us to adopt a balanced budget and we will meet that goal. We will do our best to make sure that cuts are made in the most responsible and least harmful way possible. But everyone needs to know the painful choices we will need to make to achieve a balanced budget—choices that will change the face of criminal justice and human services in King County.

“The result of the election leaves us with few options—and all of those options are draconian. Services that protect our most vulnerable citizens and provide options for people who need treatment more than a jail cell are not going to be available because the funds are simply not there.

“Voters have also told us that County Government must continue to find ways to be more efficient and smarter in using their money. We’ve accomplished a lot in the last year to meet their expectations, and we will continue that effort in the future.”