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This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

CEO raise a bad sign

Isn’t that wonderful. Avista’s CEO gets a pay raise for more than the average worker could only dream of earning in a year’s time. That makes a grand total of $3.5 million.

And where does that money come from, you ask? About 42 percent of it comes on the backs of the ratepayers. This increase made possible due to the company’s “improved financial performance,” as stated in Avista’s report to Washington state regulators. So if I get this correct, Avista’s Economics 101 is, when times are bad, raise the rates. When times are good, give pay raises to company officers.

So as the saying goes, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I still say we live in the greatest county there is, but folks, I think we are headed down a slippery slope.

Future generations may only read about the middle class that once was.

Gary Prusa

Spokane Valley

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