Shea has union support

I’m glad The Spokesman-Review covered the Oct. 6 debate between Josh Arritola and Matt Shea. It was one of Shea’s rare appearances in public, at least in our state.

Arritola pointed out how much money Shea has received from lobbyists. The paper then said, “Shea wouldn’t be outdone, mentioning that his opponent accepted donations from the Service Employees International Union” and saying he “would never take money from the union.”

Actually, according to the Public Disclosure Commission record of Shea’s donations, he has received a maximum donation from the Council of Police Political Support, which is a lobbying group for a lengthy list of police unions.

Shea was the only local legislator to actively oppose a bill proposed by Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich that would allow law enforcement officers to be fired for lying or committing crimes on duty. The Spokane County Deputy Sheriff’s Association endorses Shea because he opposed the bill. They claim the sheriff’s moral standards are too high because he fired one of their members for having sex on duty, an offense they consider minor.

The unions were opposed to the sheriff’s bill, and Shea joined them in active opposition. His self-righteous claim to be distant from unions is untrue.

Michael Cannon

Spokane