Backing Tim Eyman push to stop pay raises for state officials

Now here comes Tim Eyman, a political activist who has fought Olympia on several occasions regarding the $30 car tab fee. He may make it work this time, if the lawmakers look at the situation and take action.

But bless Tim; he’s got another issue he wants to squash, and it has been going on for years. It’s a so-called citizens panel known as the state Citizens Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials “State panel bumps up pay for lawmakers, governor and judges,” The Herald, Feb. 4). This group of meatballs gives every elected official in the state periodic pay raises, some of which appear a little hefty.

Lawmakers annual earnings will climb 16.7 percent from $48,713 to $52,766, effective July 1 and to $56,881 on July 1, 2020. Gov. Inslee’s salary will go from $177,107 to $182,179, then to $187,353 in 2020. These politicians get these periodic pay raises to pick your pockets as clean as they can. What kind of insanity is this?

To Eyman, go for it! Do whatever it takes to stop this overpayment to all those who are steadily and with zeal bleeding the state’s citizens.

Richard Raymond

Bothell

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, Jan. 15

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

Everett Mayor Ray Stephenson, center, talks with Alaska Airlines Inc. CEO Brad Tilden after the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Paine Field passenger terminal on Monday, June 5, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Editorial: Alliance makes renewed pitch for economic efforts

Leading in the interim, former Everett mayor Ray Stephanson is back as a catalyst for growth.

Welch: Spreading ‘tax policy love around’ would come at a cost

A state tax on wealth might sound fair, but it could chase some from the state and lose crucial revenue.

Firefighters are silhouetted against an engulfed home while keeping the flames from jumping to an adjacent home on Glenrose Avenue during the Eaton fire on Jan. 8, in Altadena, Calif. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Comment: What Shakespeare’s plays reveal by wildfires’ light

‘All the world’s a stage,’ with our possessions and homes subject to the same theatrical impermanence.

Comment: Trump escaped penalty, but ‘felon’ tag sticks; for now

Even though a 5-4 majority allowed his sentencing to go forward, it could yet rule on appeal.

Goldberg: Hegseth did not impress; that’s fine with GOP

The nominee for Defense fails on character and the job’s basics. Yet, his confirmation seems assured.

Comment: With GOP senators cowed, Trump will get his Cabinet

Few Republicans, after drawing the line at Gaetz, seem willing to confront any of Trump’s nominees.

Participants in Northwest WA Civic Circle's discussion among city council members and state lawmakers (clockwise from left) Mountlake Terrace City Council member Dr. Steve Woodard, Stanwood Mayor Sid Roberts, Edmonds City Council member Susan Paine, Rep. April Berg, D-Mill Creek; Herald Opinion editor Jon Bauer, Mountlake Terrace City Council member Erin Murray, Edmonds City Council member Neil Tibbott, Civic Circle founder Alica Crank, and Rep. Shelly Kolba, D-Kenmore.
Editorial: State, local leaders chew on budget, policy needs

Civic Circle, a new nonprofit, invites the public into a discussion of local government needs, taxes and tools.

toon
Editorial: News media must brave chill that some threaten

And readers should stand against moves by media owners and editors to placate President-elect Trump.

FILE - The afternoon sun illuminates the Legislative Building, left, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash., Oct. 9, 2018. Three conservative-backed initiatives that would give police greater ability to pursue people in vehicles, declare a series of rights for parents of public-school students and bar an income tax were approved by the Washington state Legislature on Monday, March 4, 2024.   (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Editorial: Legislation that deserves another look in Olympia

Along with resolving budgets, state lawmakers should reconsider bills that warrant further review.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Tuesday, Jan. 14

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

Douthat: Merger of U.S., Canada may be in interests of both

With an unclear future ahead of it, it has more to gain as part of the U.S. than as its neighbor.

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.