Click here for link to this article.
Governor Gregoire has once again demonstrated her commitment to improving the lives of the citizens of Washington State. How reprehensible of her to ask the teachers union for support in her election, promising such frivolities as a livable wage and health care and actually living up to those promises. How unfortunate for our children that we have increased spending in what was the second worst educational system in the country. How underhanded of our Chief Executive to tell State employees that with Chris Gregoire in charge, workers would be appropriately compensated for the services they provide to all Washingtonians, and then turn around and give them the largest pay raise they have seen in over ten years. An elected official that actually follows through on her promises?!?! For shame.
This is exactly how democracy is supposed to work. A politician publicly commits to fighting and working for a particular group. The group hears from both or multiple sides, and makes a choice to support the candidate or party they feel best reflects their values. While in office, the politician fulfills her promises and improves the quality of life for her constituency. Of course the underpaid teachers in underfunded schools chose to support the Governor; she promised to give them the resources they need to educate our future. Of course State employees chose to support Chris Gregoire; she promised them a paycheck they could pay rent and feed their families with. The Dino Rossi plan meant increasing the dropout rate, lowering test scores, and an influx of business for payday lenders.
In 2004, Governor Gregoire received just over thirty percent of the vote in Yakima, a dismal count in any race. In response to this underwhelming support, she approved over eight million dollars for the downtown project and helped pave the way for the EPIC program. The voters in Yakima said “we want the other guy,” and Chris Gregoire spent the past four years proving why we were mistaken.
Teachers, kids, schools and state employees deserve every dime that the Governor has gotten for them and more. This time around her plan is to kowtow to the special interest of Washington’s children by putting each and every one of them on healthcare by 2010. When will this frivolous spending end?