DORI MONSON

The state budget – it’s all a game to raise taxes

Jun 22, 2017, 3:14 PM | Updated: 3:29 pm

new laws, special session, unemployment bill gun control, state budget, government shutdown, capita...

Washington state capitol in Olympia. (AP file photo)

(AP file photo)

Senior citizens are going to starve, criminals will be roaming the streets, and baby salmon will die!

That’s what Gov. Jay Inslee told us will happen if the Legislature cannot agree to a new state budget.

“Under the law, if that occurs, our state prisons will no longer be able to accept new inmates, Fish and Wildlife may have to shut down critical hatcheries where millions of baby salmon are listed as endangered species and they will perish. Fifty thousand seniors will not receive meal services that they depend upon.”

Of course, that is his message because he knows the voters wouldn’t respond like sheep if he threatened some of the other things that they could cut.

If the governor said, “without tax hikes, we’ll have to stop giving millions of dollars to convicted child molesters. And we’ll have to stop giving welfare to illegals.”

Those are just a couple examples of what the state could cut before they starve our seniors and kill our baby salmon.

I am so tired of how our state refuses to properly prioritize when making a budget. They keep the nonsense because the citizens wouldn’t approve a tax hike to benefit child molesters and illegals. So instead, Inslee threatens the things that he thinks will pull on already-overtaxed citizens’ heartstrings.

A couple years ago, KING-5 had the story about how the state pays millions of dollars of pension funds — over-and-above-what the workers contributed — to former teachers who are convicted child molesters.

“22 teachers, most who had been convicted of crimes against children, who together have received about $5.1 million above their own retirement contributions.”

Nothing has changed despite attempts to reform that atrocity, but the Democrats refuse to take on the teachers’ union.

The Federation for American Immigration Reform estimates that illegals cost taxpayers in our state more than $2.5 billion a year – and that was in 2012. That cost has exploded upward since then.

Health care and social assistance programs add additional costs of $652 million.

Why doesn’t the governor threaten welfare to illegals before he threatens to cut off food for needy-citizen-seniors?

The answer: because that isn’t as politically effective. It’s all a big game to raise taxes.

Governor Inslee: I say it’s time to better prioritize.

Dori Monson Show

Dori Monson

Dori Monson stage show...

MyNorthwest Staff

Watch: Dori Monson’s ‘What are the Odds?’ stage show

In 2019, Dori Monson hosted a stage show - 'What are the Odds?' - which introduced you to the people who helped shape his improbable career.

1 year ago

Dori Monson welcomes the Moose back to KIRO. Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest...

MyNorthwest Staff

A collection of the all-time best Dori Monson stories

With the passing of Dori Monson, a collection of some of his top stories to remember all the hard work Dori brought to Seattle.

1 year ago

Alaska, fishing...

KIRO Newsradio staff

Listen: Friends, colleagues offer tribute to KIRO Newsradio’s Dori Monson

All day Monday, KIRO Newsradio's John Curley talked to friends, news makers, and more in tribute to Dori Monson.

1 year ago

Dori Monson Shorecrest...

Dori Monson Show

How to support charities reflecting Dori Monson’s values, passions

In tribute to Dori Monson, learn more about how you can support these three charities which best reflect his values, passions, and advocacy.

1 year ago

From left, Producer Nicole Thompson and KIRO host Dori Monson. (Courtesy of the Monson family)...

MyNorthwest Staff

Broadcasters, politicians, coworkers and friends remember Dori Monson

Dori Monson, a longtime KIRO Newsradio host, passed away Saturday. He is remembered by public figures, broadcasters, coworkers, and listeners.

1 year ago

Dori Monson...

MyNorthwest Staff

Longtime KIRO Newsradio host Dori Monson dies at age 61

We are deeply saddened to announce Dori Monson's sudden passing on Saturday, December 31, 2022, at a Seattle hospital.

1 year ago

The state budget – it’s all a game to raise taxes