Tax hikes by the numbers

Let’s have fun with numbers! This year’s election asks for advisory votes on four state tax bills that the State legislature passed. Each bill is either a new tax on a particular segment, or a new business and occupation tax.

Our state Legislature has a total of 61 Republicans and 86 Democrats. This is the breakdown of how they voted on these tax increase bills: taken in total, Republican legislators voted ‘yea’ 81 times, ‘nay’ 162 times. Democrats, on the other hand, voted ‘yea’ 317 times, and ‘nay’ only 26 times. So, Republicans cast 2 times as many no votes for these tax increases as yes votes. Democrats voted yes for these tax increases 12 TIMES as much as they cast no votes.

It is so enlightening to see Democrats playing to type. If past actions are indicative of future behavior, by all means go right ahead and keep electing Democrats. It may be trite, but it’s also evidently very true: they have never seen a tax increase they didn’t fall in love with. Can you say Scorpion and the Frog?

Kevin Healam

Spokane