As Congress prepares to respond to the Bush administration’s budget proposal, Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) has invited 9th District residents to participate in a workshop on balancing the federal budget.  The workshop will be held on Saturday, February 23 from 9:30a.m. to 12:00p.m. at Highline Community College in Des Moines. 

Participants will be divided into small groups and given information on the federal government’s income and expenses.  They will then face the daunting task of proposing a federal budget, based on their own established priorities.  Citizens will decide which programs to increase, freeze, or cut and whether or not we should raise, maintain, or cut taxes. 

“One of my goals is to bring government closer to the people,” Smith explained. “This exercise is a great way both for constituents to learn more about the choices their representatives struggle with in Congress and, even more importantly, for me to learn firsthand what their priorities and preferences are.”

This is the third year Smith has hosted a constituent budget workshop.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend and should RSVP separately from the general public by calling Katharine Lister at (202) 225-8901.

                WHAT:                9th District Budget Workshop with 
                                             Congressman Adam Smith

                WHEN:                Saturday, February 23, 2002
                                              9:30a.m. to 12:00p.m.

                WHERE:             Highline Community College, Building Two
                                             2400 South 240th Street, Des Moines

                CONTACT:        9th District residents should contact Congressman Smith’s
                                            Tacoma Office at (253) 593-6600.  Media should contact 
                                            Katharine Lister at (202) 225-8901.