Baxter sounds like flip-flopper

Jeff Baxter (4th District Senate race) was in favor of “lower taxes” (banner on website, in printed material, and billboards) before he was open to tax increases – specifically the gas tax (candidate interview, ABC PAC, Aug. 2) – before he announced signing a no-tax-increase pledge (Valley Chamber breakfast, Sept. 23). Sounds eerily like John Kerry’s famous flip-flop – “I voted for the bill before I voted against it.”

It took an email from Baxter’s mentor, Matt Shea, to explain that Baxter was actually referring to “restructuring the transportation tax system.” Really? He never articulated that at the Valley Chamber. Making one of the highest gas taxes in the nation even higher is not my idea of restructuring. This also raises the price of groceries, dry goods, electronics – all kinds of goods and services – everything transported or supplied by truck, not just the price of gas. Oh, but not to worry, he is back on the no-tax-increase bandwagon.

If we can’t tell his position during the campaign, how can we count on his vote in Olympia? I want a senator to protect my pocketbook, not pick it. Vote Mike Padden.

Jacqueline B. Gramlow

Spokane