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COMMENTARY
 February 5, 2002 Locke declares War on Taxpayers By Jason Mercier, Evergreen Freedom Foundation Washington is facing a serious budget crisis and the debate is raging over how to address it. Some want to streamline government spending and find efficiencies. Others want to squeeze more money out of citizens and raid the state’s emergency fund. Governor Gary Locke is in the second camp. In fact, he’s leading the charge. The Governor recently proposed scrapping what is left of the voter-approved I-601 spending cap so he can get at the state’s rainy day funds without the required supermajority vote. And he is pushing hard for an $8.5 billion increase in transportation taxes and fees. Locke has, in essence, declared War on Taxpayers. While Washington citizens struggle to tighten their own belts and meet expenses in a time of high unemployment and economic crisis, Locke’s action - and inaction - is making their burden heavier. Locke celebrates “on time” completion of train station . . . with no trains Governor Locke celebrated the opening of Everett Station on Monday (2/4), and called it “an extraordinary facility for our new century.” The only problem: there are no trains. That’s because the trains - commuter light rail - are part of the multi-billion dollar Sound Transit boondoggle that has turned into the most expensive light rail system in world history. The project is over-budget and long past schedule. Locke used the Everett Station event to push for passage of his $8.5 billion transportation tax package. But more taxes will not solve the state’s transportation problem. Find out why more money will not solve traffic congestion. Family planning . . . for two-year-olds The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is streamlining its procedures and finding efficiencies. Recently, the agency decided to stop mailing family planning brochures to toddlers and seniors. “We found out that in our diligence to get information out about family planning services that ACES (computer system) has sent out family planning brochures to two-year-olds and to the elderly,” stated a recent DSHS memo. “We will be working with ACES to send the brochures out to our more appropriate clients.” Governor Locke has done nothing to make sure agencies have strong oversight, efficient practices, and clear mission statements. Such measures are crucial. Read more about how to streamline agencies. Funny math . . . reducing government by adding 10,000 employees Since taking office in 1996, Locke has added 10,283 new full-time employees (FTE) to the state’s payroll. At an average annual compensation of $53,437 each, this is no small chunk of change. Locke continues to hire new employees even in the face of a $2 billion deficit. Find out what Locke should be doing to address the budget deficit. Contact: Jason Mercier, Deputy Communications Director, (360) 956-3482
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1 Part Honesty; 2 Parts Arrogance At a March 23, 2005, House Appropriations hearing on a bill to gut the voter-approved I-601 spending limit, Rep. Jim McIntire (D) asked a supporter of I-601’s two-third supermajority requirement for the legislature to raise taxes the following question: "Can you name a time when we [legislators] have actually not just set it [supermajority requirement] aside by majority vote? I mean, this is in many respects a procedural motion that has no bearing. It’s a statutory constraint that cannot constrain any legislature that chooses as a majority to set it aside . . . have we ever used a supermajority [to raise taxes]?" - Rep. Jim McIntire (D - 46) Despite the arrogance of some state officials, Washington's constitution is clear: "All political power is inherent in the people..." |
