A promising path to reform

To explain the legislative paralysis in Olympia, veteran Sen. Jim Kastama (D-Puyallup) uses an analogy. Think of state government as a bus, he says, where every interest group and lobbyist has a seat — and a brake lever. Once the bus starts moving, anyone aboard can stop it.

It’s a system that limits most of the work to the margins, preventing serious reform. Even in the current fiscal crisis, the budget will end up being balanced with a mixture of cuts to important programs, tax increases, use of remaining reserves, account transfers (borrowing, essentially) and one-time federal help.

Tax revenues are projected to remain relatively flat in the coming years. Still, government services won’t be reprioritized to any meaningful degree this year, and so the root of the state’s fiscal problems will be kicked further down the road, where they’ll grow even worse.

Reform? Restructuring? Any serious change? Forget it.

Part of the problem, to be sure, is that one party controls the Legislature and the governor’s mansion. If Republicans had any real leverage, more progress might have been made on basic reforms.

But it’s folly to think of that as a complete solution. The power of special interests would still hover imposingly over the Capitol.

Kastama and a bipartisan group of moderates think they have a solution. It’s worth a try.

They propose creating an Agency Reallocation and Realignment of Washington (Arrow) Commission, possibly comprised of distinguished and influential names like former Govs. Dan Evans, Booth Gardner and John Spellman, and former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton, among others.

Their charge: Examine all of state government and recommend how to provide needed services within existing revenues for the next six years. In other words, lay on the table the tough decisions the Legislature seems powerless to make.

Then, like the proposals of the federal military base-closure commission, the Arrow Commission’s recommendations would be voted up or down, as is, by the Legislature — no amendments allowed.

Kastama’s bill didn’t get to the Senate floor this session, but is currently in the Senate’s budget bill as a proviso. Negotiators should keep it in the final budget bill when they return for a special session this week. Then, the governor must resist the predictable calls from the special-interest fringes to veto it, with one exception: Its work mustn’t be exempt from public disclosure.

Congress, which is at least as dysfunctional as our Legislature (and for mostly the same reasons), recently refused to approve a similar commission, one that would have made tough recommendations for reducing the federal deficit. President Obama created one himself, but Congress will be free to ignore it, along with our worsening fiscal crisis.

Our state can do better. Take the brakes away from the special interests.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

Everett mayor Cassie Franklin delivers her State of the City address on Friday, March 28 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Editorial: The state of Everett amid the state of play

In her state of the city speech, Mayor Cassie Franklin makes the case for optimism amid dark clouds.

Comment: An ‘impossible trinity’ of goals for Trump’s tariffs

Trump wants revenue, manufacturing and foreign policy wins; he can’t get all three, if any.

Arrest of Mahmoud Khalil: Protect freedom of speech for all

It’s been weeks since Mahmoud Khalil was abducted from his home in… Continue reading

Trump’s, Musk’s cuts to education are most damaging

In my long life of service to my community, I have never… Continue reading

Property owners abuse Perrinville Creek watershed

This case history of property owners ignoring the law for instant self-gratification… Continue reading

Douthat: Trump’s Signalgate denials not impressing non-MAGA

Even 60 percent of Republicans polled said the scandal was a serious one.

Genna Martin / The Herald
Piles of wires, motherboards and other electronic parts fill boxes at E-Waste Recycling Center, Thursday. 
Photo taken 1204014
Editorial: Right to repair win for consumers, shops, climate

Legislation now in the Senate would make it easier and cheaper to fix smartphones and other devices.

The WA Cares law is designed to give individuals access to a lifetime benefit amount that, should they need it, they can use on a wide range of long-term services and supports. (Washington State Department of Social and Health Services)
Editorial: Changes to WA Cares will honor voters’ confidence

State lawmakers are considering changes to improve the benefit’s access and long-term stability.

A press operator grabs a Herald newspaper to check over as the papers roll off the press in March 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald file photo)
Editorial: Keep journalism vital with state grant program

Legislation proposes a modest tax for some tech companies to help pay salaries of local journalists.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Monday, March 31

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Comment: Hegseth isn’t unholding standards he vowed he would

Veterans are among the most critical of the Defense secretary for his lapse of security and protocol.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.