Democrats Have No Time For Responsible Budgeting
But There’s Plenty Of Time For Political Payback
The Democrats in Olympia simply can’t control themselves. Watching their actions over the last few weeks, what else could you conclude? With a $9 billion budget deficit, the Governor and State Legislature should be focused on funding government’s most important functions, cutting low-priority projects, and digging out of the current financial mess. Instead they are fiddling while the budget burns.
The truth is that state government will have more money to spend in the upcoming 2009-11 two-year budget than they did in the 2007-2009 budget. The “deficit” is merely an expression that the desire of the Democrats to spend money is insatiable and far exceeds the ability of any sustainable budget to fund.
Even if the economy had remained in strong shape, the last budget was unsustainable. But the economy has not remained strong, and it is far past time for legislators to get serious about balancing the budget in a forthright, responsible way. But rather than focus on what’s important, Democrats are pushing political payback bills targeting the business community. Why would the Democrats go after businesses that support so many families in our state, especially in these dire times? Because some of those businesses dare to point out the terrible business climate which the Democrats have created. Free speech has become very inconvenient for the Democrats who rule Olympia with an iron grip.
Here’s one way for Gov. Gregoire and the Democrats to avoid hearing bad news: make it illegal for businesses to say that Democrat policies are driving them out of the state! Take, for instance, this bill from Rep. Brendan Williams. Williams introduced a measure to prohibit Boeing and other businesses from letting the Legislature know that their proposed laws and regulations might result in manufacturing jobs leaving the state. We need policies that result in jobs staying here; other states are eager to welcome businesses like Boeing. The Democrats’ response? Make it illegal to for businesses to tell the truth and notify legislators know that they are setting policies which will kill off jobs and businesses!
So, the Democrats don’t want to hear why their ideas are bad. But they do want to use taxpayer dollars to try to convince you their tax increases are good. Rep. Maralyn Chase is pushing a bill to allow legislators to use their taxpayer-funded newsletters to support ballot measure that will be sent to the voters. In other words, Chase wants legislators to use your tax dollars to campaign for the tax increases they’re putting on the ballot later this year!
When times are tough, we see the true colors of the elected officials in Olympia. For Democrats, the color is green – and it has nothing to do with the environment. Green is the color of money, and they want every penny they can get their hands on, and don’t dare complain or you will be the subject of their wrath.
Sincerely,
Chairman Luke Esser
Democrats To Release Budgets Soon – Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid
Democrats in the State Senate are scheduled to release their proposed budget on Monday. Gov. Gregoire and Democrat legislative leaders have been tight-lipped so far about the state budget and proposed tax hikes they are negotiating behind closed doors. This upcoming announcement will finally give us a glimpse behind the veil, and it won’t be pretty. We’ll keep you updated on the Democrats’ continuing designs on your wallet as soon as details are available.
Gregoire’s “No New Taxes” Pledge, Version 2.0, Still Unreliable
Every time she campaigns, Gov. Gregoire sounds like a fiscal conservative. Last year was no exception and, under pressure from Dino Rossi, the incumbent rolled out her “No New Taxes” Pledge, Version 2.0 to much fanfare. Unfortunately, Gregoire doesn’t appear any more sincere about keeping her latest “No New Taxes” pledge than she was about honoring Version 1.0 from the 2004 campaign (it only took her a few weeks as governor to propose a half-billion dollars in tax increases in 2005).
In 2008 Gregoire promised the voters she would oppose a higher tax burden on our families, saying, “Families are struggling so why would you put a tax or fee on them? Businesses are struggling ,why would you put a tax or fee on them?" And now that she’s not facing the voters? Not quite so adamant... Said Gregoire, “I think it’s important that the Legislature look at every option.” Of course, the Democrats like to look at lots of “options,” but all of these options involve taking more money from families and small businesses to support the reckless spending that has become their hallmark.
An opportunity to support Congressman Reichert!
We are very fortunate to have Congressman Dave Reichert representing us in D.C. Congressman Reichert has been a staunch opponent of President Obama’s disastrous fiscal policies. We need more people like him in Congress to say no to massive bailouts and government’s ever-growing grip on individuals and businesses. Now we have a great opportunity to support Reichert and thank him for standing up for us. An important fundraising luncheon will be held in Bellevue this Saturday, March 28. Please click here for more info or see details below.
Obama’s Chief of Staff Made $320K at Freddie Mac For 6 Meetings A Year!
No wonder President Obama has been such a big fan of Freddie Mac. A recent Chicago Tribune story reported that Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was appointed to the Freddie Mac Board of Directors by then-President Bill Clinton and made $320,000 in 14 months for attending six board meetings a year. Here’s just one juicy revelation from the story: “On Emanuel's watch, the board was told by executives of a plan to use accounting tricks to mislead shareholders about outsize profits the government-chartered firm was then reaping from risky investments.” Thank goodness we have such a selfless, dedicated public servant as Emanuel leading the charge against greed on Wall Street...
Upcoming Events
Saturday, March 28th – Congressman Reichert Fundraising Event in Bellevue
Saturday, March 28th – Cowlitz County Lincoln Day Dinner in Kelso
Saturday, March 28th – Snohomish County Lincoln Day Dinner in Everett
Saturday, March 28th – Spokane County Lincoln Day Dinner in Spokane
Tuesday, April 7th – King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn’s Kickoff Breakfast in Bellevue
Friday, May 1st – 27th Annual WSRP Gala Dinner and Auction in Bellevue!
This is a fun and memorable WSRP tradition!
* Silent auction * VIP reception * Dinner * Live auction