Here are my comments to Governor Inslee’s State of the State Address …
Governor Inslee: The Supreme Court ordered the Legislature to fully fund education and the Legislature has failed to make adequate progress. The court expects immediate concrete action … Governor Inslee agrees.
Response: Governor, the WA State Supreme Court’s order ignores Separation of Powers under the Constitution. The Legislature, not the court, holds the power of the purse.
Governor Inslee: The House passed the Dream Act yesterday and now the Senate must pass the bill.
Response: The Dream Act, the bill that was acted on the first day of session without the benefit of notice, hearing or public comment this year.
Governor Inslee: We must have a Transportation Funding package.
Response: How much is enough? The Legislature should focus on reforming the system, not raising taxes. The Freedom Agenda Team has introduced several bills aimed at saving taxpayers money and reforming the way government operates to the tune of $2.3 billion in savings over ten years.
Governor Inslee: The Senate must pass a Transportation Funding package. It’s time to stop focusing on what we want and start focusing on what the state needs.
Response: Uh, Governor, my constituents don’t want nor need a 13 cent gas tax increase.
Governor Inslee: Governor Inslee calls for an increase to the state’s minimum wage.
Response: Washington already has the highest minimum wage in the nation. Increasing the minimum wage will do nothing to create jobs and ultimately lead to fewer people being employed.
Governor Inslee: We must take additional action to reduce carbon pollution. I am committed to addressing climate change.
Response: How much will this cost? It’s estimated to be as high as $1.09 per gallon of fuel. So on top of the 13 cent gas tax increase, the Governor now wants another $1.09 per gallon of gas? When is enough, enough?
All in all, the Governor’s speech was long in rhetoric and short in content. Climate change, gas tax, minimum wage … we’ve heard all this before. I stand for less government, lower taxes and more freedom … the Governor’s speech represents the complete antithesis of all I believe in.
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