Rep. Liz Pike releases statement on why she voted against new state operating budget
The Washington House of Representatives took action Friday to pass a new state operating budget, an education funding bill and a measure that would increase several taxes.
Senate Bill 5883 enacts a new two-year $43.7 billion state operating budget. It passed with a vote of 70-25.
House Bill 2242, which passed 67-26, would pump an additional $7.3 billion into K-12 education over the next four years. The measure is primarily funded through an 80-cent increase per $1,000 of assessed valuation in the state property tax.
A third measure, House Bill 2163, would enact several tax increases, including sales tax on bottled water and self-produced refinery fuels, and collection of sales tax on Internet sales. That bill passed the House, 53-40.
Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas, voted against all three measures and issued the following statement:
“I sought elected office in the House so that I could work to reduce the size of government, lower taxes and protect our freedoms. When I looked at the budget numbers that we got in the past 24 hours, I was astounded to learn that it increases state government spending by 27 percent over four years. How can I justify supporting such a spending increase when I know almost no one I represent in the 18th District will be receiving a 27 percent increase in their salaries over the next four years?
“I’m very concerned that this bill commits future legislatures to unsustainable increases in the budget that could hit taxpayers hard, especially if our state suffers another economic downturn. We all must remember that every dollar government spends is a dollar first earned by the hardworking taxpayers and the families of our state.
“I appreciate all of the negotiators who spent days and nights at the Capitol, trying to reach a budget compromise. But I’m not willing to compromise the taxpayers in my district who struggle every day to make ends meet so that we can give government a 27 percent increase from their paychecks.”
