April Fools or Governor Jay Inslee Integrity Day?
Mar 6, 2018, 3:58 PM
Washington Governor Jay Inslee. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Republican Senator Michael Baumgartner wants to honor Washington Governor Jay Inslee with his own special day.
That day is April 1, however — the annual holiday for pranks and high jinks known as April Fools Day.
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“Be it resolved … that April 1st be designated Governor Jay Inslee Integrity Day,” Baumgartner read on the Senate floor Tuesday.
Baumgartner represents the Spokane area in the Senate. He says that Gov. Inslee has become an untrustworthy official that both parties are having issues with. It makes it hard to conduct government business.
“This year he lied when he colluded with Democrats to create an exemption to public records that he then claimed he knew nothing about, and then went back on his word to those same Democrats when things got tough,” Baumgartner said.
“I voted no on that bill he vetoed from the get-go, because it was a bad bill and I was opposed, so I think I have some standing to talk on this issue … this is about trust,” he said. “That’s how things are done down here and if you don’t have trust, you can’t govern.”
That’s why he drafted Resolution 8408, designating April 1 as Governor Jay Inslee Integrity Day. Baumgartner says that even some Democrats have privately expressed their support of his resolution, or at least the sentiment of it.
The senator points to former Governor Christine Gregoire as an example. The two politicians are quite different. She’s a liberal and he’s a conservative. They are from opposite sides of the state.
“But at least you could take her at her word,” Baumgartner said. When she promised something, she would follow through on it. That’s not how Governor Inslee operates.”
Gov. Jay Inslee Integrity Day
Senate Concurrent Resolution 8408 reads:
WHEREAS, The legislature recognizes Governor Jay Inslee for his exceptional personal integrity, and who is a man of trust and a profile in courage;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That April 1st be designated “Governor Jay Inslee Integrity Day”; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Secretary of State.
