Lawmakers shirk own duties

State Sen. Michael Baumgartner is leading the push for a bill that would punish teachers who participate in a one-day strike on Wednesday. What he isn’t discussing is the fact that the Legislature has failed to fund two voter-approved education initiatives, and has been held in contempt by the state Supreme Court for not complying with the state constitution regarding education spending.

He is doing this during a special session, costing us thousands of dollars, because lawmakers didn’t do their jobs during the regular session. He even mentioned coming back during a second special session to push his bill through.

The real cherry on top is that members of the Legislature will also be getting an 11.2 percent raise over the next two years for all their good work.

To recap, hardworking teachers who have still not received cost-of-living adjustments approved by voters years ago, and work in underfunded schools, will walk out for one day, while Baumgartner and other legislators don’t do their jobs, go back for special sessions costing us thousands and get a raise for doing it.

If Baumgartner wants accountability for public employees, perhaps he is looking in the wrong place.

Eric Robison

Spokane