Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spin Control

WA Lege Day 30: Debate continues on changes to I-960

OLYMPIA -- Sen. Cheryl Pflug says of the 1,001 letters she's received, only six approve repealing the supermajority to raise taxes

If you do this, many of you will return to a wall of rage at home" Pflug, R-Maple Valley, warned. "People are hurting, and you are hurting them more."'

Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, "What is it about the will of the people that worries you? What does it really mean? I believe we have to listen. I think we're seeing that (wall of rage) all across the country. Now we see the same kind of arrogance that caused many of us to run for public office. And now here we are, seeing it again, amongst us. Are we in tough times, of course we are. Is it going to be hard to reduce the budget, you bet. We can do this without (the bill) We don't need it, we don't have to circumvent the will of the people."

Sen. Tracy Eide, D-Des Moines: "We are in unprecedented times. How many of you have lived through a time like this? How many of you have family members who are unemployed? I do. I have friends who have business that they are cut way back. I had a 401K that now is a 101K. We are in a crisis. We need to think logically. And who do the people of this state turn to when they need help? They turn to us. A wise man told me last week 'Tracy, those of us who have, have to help those of us who have not.' I'm voting for this bill to keep our options open. We need to step up to the plate and help them."



The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.