It looks like a little political purging wrapped up today on the 8th Floor of the Snohomish County government building.
The Democrat-controlled County Council is dumping two of its five legislative policy analysts – the two with known Republican ties.
Both analysts received notice in March that they would be terminated May 1. One chose to resign.
The other, Ed Moats, didn’t and this morning the four Democrats on the council voted to fire him – which they could because he is an at-will employee.
John Koster, the council’s fifth member and lone Republican, abstained.
I spoke with Moats this morning. He said Koster has been trying to hire him onto his staff but has been rebuffed by the council majority.
Moats’ leanings outside work are well known. It’s on his resume too as he did a short stint with the House Republican caucus. ( So too did the other analyst, Moats said.)
Moats has worked for the county for six years and for another week will serve as the analyst assigned to the committee run by Koster.
He said he may go to court to fight the dismissal. One issue may be whether the council acted improperly in blocking his hiring by Koster.
I asked Moats if this isn’t in fact a cost-cutting move and it’s only coincidence that the two people with Republican ties lose their jobs.
He said money is not an issue because the council is already advertising to hire replacements.
There’s more to this story and as soon as I get it, I’ll bring it here.
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