Spokane-area leaders should be open to learning from the high-utilizer initiative used by Seattle's prosecuting attorney's office and its partners to reduce crime and restore order to its downtown core.

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.