Change is inevitable, the experts say. That worn phrase offers little comfort to most of us, even if we anticipate it. But most of us don’t expect drastic change, no matter how often it happens. Take, for example, the exodus of some of our state Legislature’s most dedicated public servants.
Both sides of the aisle will bid farewell to legislators who have contributed solid work in areas such as criminal justice, the mentally ill and opening up more legislative meetings to the public.
First, Sen. Jeanine Long, R- Mill Creek, announced her retirement. Now, we’ve had to add Sen. Jeri Costa, D-Marysville, to the list. Others with very familiar names, such as House Minority leader Clyde Ballard, R-East Wenatchee, Sen. Dan McDonald, R-Bellevue and Rep. Ida Ballasiotes, R-Mercer Island, are calling it quits, too. Whatever the problems of the Legislature overall, especially this year, these members consistently made noteworthy contributions.
Some are leaving to spend more time with family or move on to other things. Sen. Costa’s decision to quit is based upon finances. It’s just too expensive to be a public servant. While there are plenty of justifiable frustrations with the Legislature, taxpayers who believe our state’s lawmakers are raking in the bucks and that they vote pay increases for themselves are wrong on both counts. Thirty-one thousand dollars a year doesn’t go very far, especially when you’re regularly traveling good distances — from Marysville to Olympia in Costa’s case — at least three months every year. And a citizen’s commission decides on how much of raise legislators will receive.
That said, the low pay doesn’t seem to be keeping a slew of prospective politicians from tossing their hats in the ring. Some current politicians will play a little game of musical chairs (due, in part, to redistricting) while hopeful newcomers bid for open spots. Memo to all candidates: the voters are not interested in helping you advance your political careers. We have real problems in this state and county and need people who will get in there and solve them, not use the seat as a booster to the next opening.
Costa deserves plenty of praise for her hard work on criminal justice issues on behalf of crime victims and their families. It will be interesting to see if her successor or other legislators pursue the issue as passionately as she did for eight years. Indeed, the retirement of several effective leaders will offer a challenge to hard-working junior legislators and those more inclined to sit back and watch. Perhaps some will see to it that this big change in our Legislature turns into something positive.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
