The major findings in a report from the State Budget Crisis Task Force support the same positions we've taken on our editorial board during our state's Legislative budget session: Don't use budget gimmicks to kick the can down the road; fund education; and reform government to build a sustainable future.

The task force, led by co-chairs former New York Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch and former Federal Reserve Chair Paul Volcker, released its report on Tuesday. It was formed in 2011 to examine fiscal challenges faced by local and state governments after the global financial crisis, and the group's work was funded by foundations.

While the task force focused on other states — California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas and Virginia — there are takeaways for our state in the the 108-page report.

Here is a chart on higher education funding showing that most states, Washington included, have cut spending from 2006 to 2011. Washington must reverse this trend so we can compete in a global economy, as we said here.