On Tuesday, Democrat Rep. Ross Hunter—the lead state House budget writer—wrote on his blog that “at this point” he does not “expect that the Legislature will agree on a budget before the regular session ends on Sunday April 26th.” Hunter goes on to describe the difference between a budget that raises taxes on working families to pay for unsustainable spending (House Democrats’ spending package) and a budget that responsibility strives to live within our state’s needs using the impending increase in state revenue (Senate Republican’s actual budget) in order to explain the key differences stalling budget negotiations.
While the core of Ross’ argument is true—the differences between the Democrat and Republican budgets are extensive—it’s not why budget negotiations are stalled. As Shift previously reported, House Democrats have failed—and continue to fail—to vote on key tax proposals necessary for their budget. Negotiations between House and Senate cannot move forward in good faith until Democrats prove they have the votes to make their $39 billion spending package into an actual budget by passing their tax measures. Democrat leadership lacks the political courage—or they simple lack the necessary support—to vote on and approve the new taxes they proposed.
Last week, Hunter called the idea of passing a budget that actually pays for itself “ridiculous.” He accused Republicans of “trying to force House members into ‘a gotcha vote’ on taxes.” Perhaps if Hunter was worried about voting on taxes, he should not have written a budget that relies on $2.4 billion in new taxes—including a notoriously volatile state capital gains income tax and a hike in the business and occupation tax.
Another key package House Democrats have yet to act on is the bi-partisan transportation package passed by the state Senate 49 days ago. Democrats continue to ignore the fact that Washington State needs a transportation package. Commuters and businesses require reliable transportation improvements, and they’ve waited long enough for the state Legislature to act.
As Shift previously reported, the path forward is quite clear: let the people—or their chosen representatives—decide on Democrats’ favored agenda items. A transportation package could be achieved if each side placed their trust in the citizens of this state. For Republicans, that means allowing Sound Transit to seek a $15 billion dollar tax increase via a ballot measure next year. For Democrats, that means accepting Republicans’ consumer protection provision that would oblige Inslee to bring his fuel mandate forward as legislation, not through an executive order—voters should not have to face an additional charge of $1 or more at the fuel pump.
The legislative session is scheduled to end this Sunday, April 26. At this point, Ross is correct, the 2015 legislative session will go into a special session–costing taxpayers even more money. That’s due to Democrats continued refusal to do their jobs and get the people’s business done.
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