Although rarely a supporter of special sessions, Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, says the state Legislature has no choice but to meet in November, more than a month ahead of the start of the 2012 session.

"I normally believe the Legislature should do its work during regular session," said Shin, the Senate Vice President Pro Tempore. "But inasmuch as economic hardships have not let up, this special session is necessary to avoid further harm to Washingtonians."

Gov. Chris Gregoire will call legislators back on Nov. 28 for a session that will focus on cutting nearly $2 billion from the 2011-2013 biennial budget. Shin said without the special session, the only tool available to the governor would be across-the-board-cuts to all departments, doing indiscriminate harm to all departments, which Shin believes would be unacceptable for the citizens of Washington.

“We must work on a creative solution and find innovative ways to both balance the budget and provide for the needs of our citizens without destroying the ability of government to serve the people,” said Shin. “The responsible choice here is to return to Olympia and get to work.”

Shin says the issues facing our economy go well beyond the borders of Washington and the United States, and will therefore require bold action to address.

“This is a global situation,” says Shin. “As far away as they might seem, economic crises in places like Greece, Italy and perhaps now France have a real effect on Washington State.”

Shin joined members of the Senate and House Ways and Means Committees and the governor in calling on legislators to abandon party talking points and arrive at a bipartisan solution to the budget crisis.

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For more information: Ian Cope, Senate Democratic Communications, 360-786-7535

For interviews: Sen. Paull Shin, District Office, 425-673-1393