Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, and Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, the chair of the budget-writing Senate Ways & Means Committee, issued the following statement regarding the budget alternatives outlined by the governor today:

"We want to acknowledge the hard work presented by the governor today. We know identifying these possibilities was difficult for her. Addressing our budget will be difficult for each legislator. Ultimately however, it will be the most difficult for the school students, parents, seniors and everyday citizens who will feel the bite of more cuts to the services they need.

"The alternatives released today underscore the immense challenge facing the people of Washington. Only the public services we most value, those we protected through three years of budget shortfalls, are still available to cut. We have few good choices left, and we must keep all the options on the table.

"In the Senate, our committee chairs are working with ranking minority members to go through options, including those identified by the governor. We will review their reports ahead of the Nov. 17 revenue forecast. And we will be ready to get to work on Nov. 28, day one of the coming special session."