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My big issue with this legislature raising taxes is that they refuse to merely roll back government spending to the level it was before the current crisis. They SPENT their way into it. State Government spending is approximately 1/3 greater than it was before Gregoire took office. As always, the legislature is looking at the easy way out. Raise taxes rather than freezing ALL Government wages. Freeze capital equipment expenditures. Do like private sector businesses do. For example, rather than new cars and trucks every 2-3 years for state agencies, drive them until they have 150-200 thousand miles on them instead of selling them at a loss to the Taxi companies and private contractors whey will then use them until they have a quarter million miles on them. Focus on the Real Mission of State Government. Transportation, Safety, and "Justice" (Law Enforcement and Courts).
There have been numerous lists published of Government Waste and unnecessary Offices, Comissions, and Employees. Start behaving like a private business and live within the revenues available. Stop trying to fund every special interest program.
Last but not least, to the voters, don't let the legislature get away with massive tax increases. Vote them out and sign any initiative petition that is sure to be out soon to roll taxes back to previous levels.
When the people and businesses of this State don't have a huge "Tax Monkey" on their back they will be able to generate more money for themselves to spend. Spending money will bring back some revenue to the State to provide for necessary services. Until the waste is gone none of that will happen and soon we here in Washington will be like Michigan. (their governor is just as stupid as Gregoire).
