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Cut state workers’ pay
The Spokesman-Review had two articles regarding there not being enough funds to run the state for this next year. One of the articles was having to discontinue free immunization for children. That is not good. The other was stopping several programs and adding taxes.
I have an idea to get more money in the system. How about stopping the sales tax exemption for Oregon, Montana and Canada residents who shop here? That could produce more revenue.
How about an across-the-board salary reduction for state employees. This would include elected officials also. If people are losing their jobs and have no income, this sounds fair. If they are worried about the state employees quitting their jobs, I am sure there are plenty of people who have been laid off are qualified to take them. This would free up a lot of money.
Most state employees will not like to read this but I am sure that the people who worked in private industry who lost their jobs would have been willing to take a 10 percent cut rather than have no job.
Patricia McManus
Spokane