It was months ago when Gov. Chris Gregoire said on KIRO radio there was “no projected budget deficit in our state” when there was already a $4 billion dollar projected shortfall. It’s now $9 billion and growing.

Now we have Kirkland Councilmember, Ms. McBride, saying the same thing about Kirkland’s budget. At the Moss Bay Neighborhood meeting, she said Kirkland had a balanced budget and there will be no deficit. She emulated Governor Ms. Gregoire and became her political clone that makes misleading statements to whitewash the truth.

The city has a serious budget shortfall in the millions. The budget adopted last December was balanced. It did not last. It will have to be revised to show reduced revenues and added expenses.

Ms. McBride was asked why should the city propose taking on more debt with annexation when the city cannot even balance the budget without annexation. By increasing the deficit, the only way the budget can be balanced is by increasing fees and taxes. If we annex, Kirkland citizens will end up paying more for less.

Robert L. Style, Kirkland