Last year, a Columbian editorial appropriately labeled Gov. Jay Inslee’s influence as “clandestine.” This was a good moniker for someone not involved in the Legislature’s 2013 budget negotiations.
If Inslee truly blames the Legislature for failing to close tax loopholes he needs to look in the mirror. Inslee initiated the largest corporate tax break, giving Boeing $9 billion. Boeing was negotiating a contract with employee unions. Both the union and Boeing management told the Legislature they did not need the tax break to conclude their negotiations. Yet, Inslee called the Legislature into emergency session, delivering $9 billion to Boeing.
Inslee recently gave state workers a $600 million pay raise, in spite of the state Supreme Court’s McCleary v. Washington ruling obligation.
Inslee proposes spending 15 percent more, while raiding our “rainy day” fund. What family budget will get 15 percent in raises over the next two years? Mom and pop don’t raise kids’ allowances knowing they must re-roof the house and replace the family car. Washington will receive almost $3 billion “new” taxpayer dollars due to our growing economy. That’s an 8 percent to 9 percent increase over 2014.