Washington state Governor-elect Bob Ferguson has proposed reducing spending by $4 billion as a strong first step to the state's budgeting process, setting a tone Washington businesses and residents haven't witnessed in the past 12 years.

The Washington state government needs to rightsize operations to fit budget realities, rather than put a greater onus on businesses during the upcoming Legislative session.

In the Journal's View, as Spokane Airports CEO Larry Krauter departs for a similar job near Cincinnati, the airport board here has the unenviable task of replacing the longtime economic champion for the airports and the surrounding Spokane area.

In the Journal's View, discomfort about the recently released results of The Pulse survey might be just what the Spokane community's civic and business leaders need at this time to take action necessary to improve the state of the city.

Spokane voters should approve the city's Community Safety proposal and give elected leaders greater resources to improve conditions downtown.