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Tips on budgeting

I read in Jim Camden’s May 17 Spin Control: “The State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council releases estimates on the amount of taxes and fees the state will collect in the next two and four years” on May 18.

That’s after the regular session has ended, right? Maybe the regular legislative session should begin after that report is issued? My family budget planning starts with knowing how much money is coming in.

Another question: How much does a special session cost? Do legislators get paid extra for not getting their work done? Yet another question comes to mind: Since this special session will be voting on legislation tying teacher pay to student test scores, can teachers introduce legislation tying legislator’s pay to finishing the state budget in one session?

And, please do consider (as per The Spokesman-Review’s May 17 editorial) amending the state constitution so you can take responsibility for your own 11.2 percent pay raises recommended by the Salary Commission by having an up or down vote on the recommendation.

In my 30-plus years as an educator, I’ve only had 10 cost-of-living increases. The amount of each averaged 1.5 percent. I’m not keeping up, I’m falling way behind.

Kathleen Smith

Spokane

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