Environmentalists' Goal for 2010 Legislature: Avoid More Cuts

Environmental initiatives are largely on hold this year as the Legislature grapples with a $2.6 billion budget deficit.

A coalition of 25 environmental groups have pared down their legislative priorities to just three goals — and one of them is to avoid further cutbacks in state programs designed to protect public health and the environment.

“The budget is the game this year,” said Brendon Cechovic, program director for Washington Conservation Voters...