This week, Gov. Gregoire announced at least $700 million in tax increases as part of her new budget plan to cover up a $2.6 billion overspending problem. Let’s ignore the fact that Washington State has increased spending by 18% between 2005 and 2008 alone – not even counting Gov. Gregoire’s most recent year in office.

 

The governor has yet to release a detailed list of tax increases, but she has indicated that it will involve eliminating a number of tax exemptions. So, while we await the Governor’s list of economically damaging revenue grabs in the midst of a recession, our friends at the Evergreen Freedom Foundation remind us that the state spent $20,000 on a capitol holiday tree, $30,000 on a state poet laureate, $3 million on the Museum of Flight Space Gallery, and $511,000 on a state subsidized golf resort. These are small examples of a larger spending addiction.

 

If Gov. Gregoire looked a little closer at where the money is going instead of who to take it from next, Washingtonians could have more sympathy for her when she says things like, “I presented a budget proposal that while balanced is unjust.” Until then, the only injustice is the Governor’s blatant electoral lies and constant raiding of taxpayers’ wallets.

 

Unfortunately this awful trend of wreckless spending and ridiculous budegting practices seems to have filtered down from the Federal Government to the state level. Whether it is California, Michigan, or Washington state... the m.o. remains the same: TAX AND SPEND This really is going to reach a crises point in America and eventually real change will be required at all levels of Government.
>> Tom, CA Friday, December 11, 2009 3:15 PM

Unfortunately all of us in Washington state except for seattle knew this would happen as that smug grinning witch debated with Dino on tv. She is absolutely horrible. At best an F + same as obama
>> Jeff Tuesday, December 22, 2009 11:55 AM

I am not a bit surprised by this. The people of Washington were warned about her when she ran for re-election last time and as usual they didn't listen. These politicians will say anything, do anything, promise anything to get elected, but once in office all that is forgotton... I wonder how much it cost the state of Washintgon for her to fly to Copenhagen for the Global "chilling" summit...
>> David Rovert Blake Wednesday, December 23, 2009 11:28 AM

She did a terrible job while she ran the Dept. of Ecology the Attorney Generals office (costing the state millions do to incompetence) what made the people think she would be any different as Governor. You get what you ask for then on top of that they reelected her. You also have two ding-a-lings in the Senate. What can I say Washington?
>> Bud Wednesday, December 23, 2009 6:39 PM

Bud, you are absolutely right, and on top of that her re-election bid was very questionable and came down to a court decision after 2 recounts.. I guess that is the only way that liberals can win is be recounting and then relying on the courts to settle the dispute.
>> David Wednesday, December 23, 2009 7:08 PM

Unfortunately the ones who rise to power, are generally the ones who want power, & the ones who should least have it.
>> Rod Friday, January 8, 2010 10:50 PM