Ross: Did you vote for I-976 car tab cuts in 2019? Wish granted

I got a press release from the state Senate’s Freedom Caucus this week, which is now saying Gov. Inslee should resign because of all the state employees who have quit rather than get vaccinated.

The numbers are significant.

The state ferry system alone lost 7% of its employees – as many riders know all too well.

I have to say I am a little surprised to see all this gnashing of teeth over the cuts, namely since critics have been saying for years that state government is way too big.

Well, in the case of the ferry system, it just got 7% smaller. Wish granted.

Maybe we’ve all forgotten – I know I did – but in 2019, the voters of Washington state easily passed Initiative 976. Remember that? That’s the measure that would have cut car tabs to $30 yet again. The state Supreme Court struck it down, but clearly it had the will of the voters to cut car tab fees, knowing it would have meant a big cut to the state transportation budget, including the ferry system.

After I-976 passed, the ferry system stood to lose about 9% of its operating budget. Money equals employees. Less money, fewer employees.

So while the governor’s vaccine mandate cost the ferry system 7% of its staff, let’s remember that this is happening in a state which not two years ago was ready to impose an even bigger cut on the ferry system.

And to the people who for years have been demanding across-the-board cuts in state government, why on earth would you want the governor to resign? He just made your fondest wishes come true!

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