Evidently mainstream media editorialists have decided that they will need access to newly re-elected Governor Jay Inslee. So, even though he spent months on the campaign trail saying he wouldn’t raise taxes, the fact that Inslee last week rolled out a budget that suggests we need to raise over $4 billion in new taxes is “bold” (according to the Seattle Times).
Other publications also gave Inslee an “E” for effort, as you can see below:
- The Spokane Spokesman Review wrote that you can “call it a blueprint, an opening salvo or a trip to Never-Never Land, but Gov. Jay Inslee’s plan to complete the task of fully funding basic education is something.”
- The Olympian was a bit more charitable, opining that “the political hurdles in the way of higher taxes are as formidable as ever. The governor’s proposal for the 2017-19 budget cycle is just the opening of a conversation.”
- However, the Wenatchee World pointed out that Inslee’s “conversation” would likely be a short one, with others doing the real work, writing “they always call the governor’s budget a “starting point.” It sparks the conversation. It floats the trial balloons. It gets the ball rolling. Then, more often than not, the legislators whose constitutional duty it is to write a real budget, say thank you very much and start over.”
- And, the Walla Walla Union Bulletin captured the reality of a legislature that has Republicans in charge of the Senate and Democrats clinging to a narrow majority in the House, saying, that Inslee’s proposal is “likely to feel like a frozen snowball in the ear for many in the Legislature (as well as millions of Washingtonians). The idea of a big tax hike stings. Given that, the plan as presented is not likely to come to fruition.”
So, that’s the verdict, Inslee got the headlines, but now it will be up to the adults in the room over in the legislature to actually come up with a plan that works.
Stay tuned in 2017!
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