Are you as disgusted as I am?

Posted

I’m going to be 52 years old in a couple of weeks and sometimes I feel like I’m getting more and more naive with each passing year.

I’ve shared some of my thoughts with you in this space during this year’s session of the Washington State Legislature, or should I say regular session followed by three overtime sessions. I thought I was as disgusted as the next person with the actions of our collective body of elected officials, but in the end I knew they would bump up against a hard deadline and eventually reach an agreement on a new two-year state operating budget.

Facing a July 1 government shutdown, the lawmakers approved a $38.2-billion budget Monday. Gov. Jay Inslee immediately said he would sign the budget before the Tuesday midnight deadline. No one was getting what they wanted, but it was a compromise and in those situations nobody ever does.

But then, all heck broke loose as the legislators worked into the wee hours of July 1. I wasn’t there so I’m going to rely on the accounts of three elected officials who were there. And, if this sounds a little partisan on my part, it’s because it is. I believe those on one side of the aisle are more at fault than those on the other side. If you disagree, we’re happy to publish your letters to the editor (no more than 400 words in length).

Rep. Liz Pike (R-Camas, 18th District) on Facebook:

This is how I spell dysfunction today: OLYMPIA. We need leaders and sadly there were few in the Capitol tonight to finish our business and get the job done for our citizens. I left the Capitol this morning at approx. (sic) 3:45 a.m. after experiencing a long day of terror on our taxpayers. Worst of all, a big legislative log jam stopped all action in the wee hours of the morning. No one could say for sure when we'd be back.

I just stopped for gas and a cold coffee to get home where people are sane. After the terrible 12 cent gas tax passed at about 1 a.m., I literally wept inside the ladies restroom. I wept for all the people in my district who will be harmed by the biggest gas tax in WA state history and the $15-35 increase in car tabs on top of that. Our low wage earners and those on fixed incomes will feel this the most. Above all, I weep for them.

This was by far the saddest day I've experienced in my three years in the legislature. It did not have to be this way. There is a more fiscally-responsible way to fund transportation. We need to prioritize it within existing revenues and pay as we go, instead of bonding away our children's future and their children's future.

Rep. Brandon Vick (R-Felida, 18th District) on Facebook (partial comments due to length):

It was my sincere desire to be able to summarize for you today the results of 6 months of hard work, negotiations, and compromise of the 147 members of the Washington State Legislature. It was my goal to let you know about historic reductions in cost of college tuition, a balanced budget, the fact that no new taxes were implemented, massive reforms and improvements to our mental health system, and important investments for our community. Yes, there would be things to tell you about that stink, but it was my sincere goal to inform you of all of them. Unfortunately, that cannot happen due to the selfishness, immaturity, and untrustworthiness of the Senate Democrats.



For the last sixty days, the leadership teams from each of the major caucuses have been negotiating a final agreement that would end the legislative session with a budget that all Washingtonians can be proud of. Republicans had to give a little. Democrats did too. And in the end an agreement was reached, hands were shaken, and documents were even signed. Unfortunately, the Senate Democrats decided that it was a better idea to torpedo the state budget and blow a $2-billion-sized hole in it at 4 a.m. on what was supposed to be the last day of session. Rather than honoring their agreement and moving the state forward, they decided to kowtow to their largest donors and shut the place down. This is not leadership. This is not representation of one's constituents. This was pure "take my ball and go home" childishness.

Rep. Matt Manweller (R-Ellensburg, 13th District) on Facebook:

I have some very unfortunate news regarding this year's session. Due to a combination of immaturity, too much alcohol, and a lack of respect for the process and keeping your word, the Senate Democrats went back on their word and blew up all three budgets – operating, capital, and transportation. We have enough money in the signed operating budget to keep the government open until September. After that we're not sure what will happen.

I know people see a lot of partisan posts on Facebook full of hyperbole but I can tell you that last night's behavior by the Senate Democrats was the most disgraceful I have seen in 20 years of politics.

For all you teachers out there that think the Democrats are your friends, they just sabotaged the three raises we were going to give you. They also sabotaged the $100 million we were going to give the Central Washington University and they have almost destroyed the tuition cut we were going to give all the parents.

No matter how long I serve, I will never forget the scene last night of inebriated Democrats laughing about about how they had screwed everyone including their House Democratic friends and thinking it was funny.

Sour grapes? Partisan politics? You decide for yourself. For me, it’s just maddening and it shows why nearly every election is dominated by an anti-incumbent sentiment. A record 12-cents-per-gallon gas tax increase to fund a transportation package for our inept and wasteful Department of Transportation?

As I write this prior to the July 4th holiday weekend, I’m speechless. That’s why I let the three legislators speak for me. Hopefully, things will be more clear by Monday.

Ken Vance

Editor