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Posted on 01/10/2006 9:32:15 AM PST by truth49
OLYMPIA—Both the legislature and governor's office have refused to provide records and answer questions which may show that last year's record budget exceeded the state spending limit. The coalition of associations seeking to save I-601 is asking the court to release the records.
The Saving I-601 Coalition is seeking to have a series of new tax and spending measures adopted last year invalidated because they exceeded the state's spending limit. Last year, the spending limit was set at $25.1 billion, but the budget adopted by the legislature exceeded that limit by $800 million. When new tax and spending measures exceed the limit, the law requires a vote of the people. Instead, the legislature shifted funds from one account to another, in an attempt to artificially inflate the limit.
"The fund shifts are the most blatant budget shell games I've seen," said Jason Mercier of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation. "If state officials truly believe their disregard for I-601 reflects the will of the people they should have nothing to hide and release the requested records."
When the Saving I-601 Coalition asked for documents related to these fund shifts, the government refused to provide documents or answer related questions, citing legislative and executive privilege.
"I am disappointed that the government is withholding these documents. If communications between legislative staffers can be protected it will be a real blow to open government and a transparent legislative process," said Dick Stephens, attorney for the plaintiff associations.
In addition to a claim of legislative privilege, the government is apparently claiming that an exemption exists in the public disclosure act that covers legislators and legislative staffers.
"The public disclosure act mandates open government," said Carolyn Logue of the National Federation of Independent Business. "I guess open government ends when legislators and staff are discussing how they can raise taxes and spend more of our money."
The motion to compel disclosure of these documents was filed last week in Snohomish County Superior Court. Arguments will be heard this Friday.
I-601 is an initiative passed in 1993 by the voters to control the growth of government spending.
Additional Information
New lawsuit filed to preserve I-601 tax and spending limits
Supreme Court strikes blow to people's right of referendum
Legislators favor constitutional amendment to reform use of emergency clause
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WTF do these bureaucrats think they work for?
It's sure not the citizens (taxpayers) of the State of Washington. These liberal Democratic elitists do as the damn well please because they keep being elected by the largely liberal (make that stupid) population.
Claire Wolfe, you have a call on the white courtesy phone...
The gubnah and the legislature WORK FOR THE PEOPLE of the state. The people have the right to know what the budget is and what the numbers are. I can't believe they are having to use the COURT system to get this information.
And of course, not one citizen has the cojones to get angry over it. All the little lemming libnuts in WA are prefectly happy with their elected "leaders".
We no longer live in a Democracy.....
Athens went down this route and became feared and hated by the other greek states. As the "mob" demanded more and more Athens was forced to move from a relatively peaceful agrarian state to a tribute seeking regional super power. At one point Athens payed their welfare class to attend plays and worship at temples. We're not so far from that now, with our own welfare class. The famous saying that democracy can exist only until the majority finds they can vote themselves the treasury is coming true in our lifetimes.
I don't know where you get your information, but I'm one who gets damn mad about the way our state is run by a majority of socialists. I write to all state reps. and sens., not just my own.
yeah, I know....it's a Republic....but, in the STATES, I'm not sure what it is anymore......I think we're all in agreement.....somethings rotten in Rome....er....Olympia.
Evergreen State ping
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For all of Rob Mckenna's talk during his campain for the AG's office about opening up government and going after corruption, he is a major disappointment. He has no real interest in eliminating corruption. He's only continuing the cover-ups.
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