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OPEN LETTER June 23, 2003 Open letter to state
legislators, RE: State budget policy
Today's issue of USA Today includes an analysis of state budgeting around the nation. It reiterates the fact that budget problems stem from state policy and spending practices, not necessarily from the national economy. The report also includes positive highlights of the Washington Legislature this year, using our state as an example of progress in the right direction. Let's keep the momentum and take the next crucial steps toward responsible budgeting so we won't see a relapse in 2005! The complete story with charts can be found in today's Olympian: States to blame for budget woes, report says. USA Today state budget charts: click here for state by state statistics, and click here for state rankings. Sincerely, Bob Williams, President Contact: Marsha Richards, Communications
Director
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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..." |
