Ken Schram: How much will it hurt?
Are you ready for 60 fun filled days crammed with adventure and drama?
State lawmakers gavel themselves into action today with the perils of a $2.6 billion budget gap dominating the political landscape.
What shall they do and how much will it hurt?
Will middle schoolers mind forking over some of their allowance to pay a tax on candy and gum?
Will smokers feel put upon if asked to pony up another 25 cents per pack in order to indulge their nicotine addiction?
Candidly, I don't envy the governor even as I pity the poor politicians in the House and Senate.
Looking at the prospect of gutting programs and services to the poor; cuts to education and health care versus raising taxes is going to make for a very vexing legislative session.
Of course conservatives will be beating the stop spending drum while completely ignoring the recessionary impact on state revenues.
But wait.
Could not the power brokers in Olympia take a moment to consider tax reform instead of tax increases?
Might we not be able to restructure the failing and regressive way that politicians pick our pockets and thus save the day in a different way?
I know it's not as exciting as taxing muffins and bottled water, but what the heck; it's at least worth talking about.
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Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com.
State lawmakers gavel themselves into action today with the perils of a $2.6 billion budget gap dominating the political landscape.
What shall they do and how much will it hurt?
Will middle schoolers mind forking over some of their allowance to pay a tax on candy and gum?
Will smokers feel put upon if asked to pony up another 25 cents per pack in order to indulge their nicotine addiction?
Candidly, I don't envy the governor even as I pity the poor politicians in the House and Senate.
Looking at the prospect of gutting programs and services to the poor; cuts to education and health care versus raising taxes is going to make for a very vexing legislative session.
Of course conservatives will be beating the stop spending drum while completely ignoring the recessionary impact on state revenues.
But wait.
Could not the power brokers in Olympia take a moment to consider tax reform instead of tax increases?
Might we not be able to restructure the failing and regressive way that politicians pick our pockets and thus save the day in a different way?
I know it's not as exciting as taxing muffins and bottled water, but what the heck; it's at least worth talking about.
---
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com.