Oppose Senate budget

On March 31, Republicans in the Washington Senate proposed their budget, and did not allow a provision to fund state workers. Needless to say, this was a slap in the face.

The big business-minded Sen. Michael Baumgartner, representing the 6th Legislative District, appears to have made it a personal vendetta to conspire against middle class, working Washingtonians. The Department of Corrections contract award negotiated through costly interest arbitration by both the state and union has been ignored.

Senate leaders feel they are above their constituents, and even change the voting rules in the Senate to suit their needs at that time. It is absolute hogwash. When they knew the yeas for the budget were at 29, the Senate leaders initiated a 30-vote minimum for passing bills.

This is not democracy. It is a game, and the taxpayers are being played with. This is not simply about a raise, which hasn’t happened in seven years; it is about the economic stimulus, the benefit to the safety of the public, and simple gratitude for an underappreciated group of society.

Please support the House budget proposal, and that of Gov. Jay Inslee.

Dennis Fleury

Spokane