State Rep. Brendan Williams continued his protest against furloughs today, sending the state treasurer $160 in cash and this pointed letter of explanation (http://media.theolympian.com/smedia/2010/07/12/15/Williams_letter_on_furloughs_0488_001.source.prod_affiliate.38.pdf). Williams said his $160 donation represents more than three times the lowest state rate paid for around-the-clock care for Medicaid clients who live in licensed boarding homes. The money might go into the state general fund, but the Treasurer's Office is reviewing the rules, spokesman Chris McGann said. Today marked the first of 10 furlough days that many state workers are taking in about 50 agencies, baords and commissions, saving about $38 million in the state's general fund and $35 million more in other accounts. Williams, an Olympia Democrat known for his liberal stands on behalf of workers, said his donation represented "one day of legislative salary."
He had opposed furloughs during the recent legislative session. But when it was clear he would lose that fight, he argued that fellow lawmakers should share in the budget pain they were asking workers to share. Williams proposed cutting a portion of lawmakers $90 per day expense allowance (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Amendments/House/6503-S.E%20AMH%20WILL%20PRIN%20288.pdf) that goes on top of their $42,106 per year minimum salaries, but his amendment failed on a procedural motion to bring it up for a vote. "No one should be exempt from these cuts," Williams wrote to Treasurer James McIntire today. Williams added that lawmakers base salaries "are higher than the median household income in over half of Washington's counties. All but three (Grays Harbor, Mason and Pacific) of those twenty counties are represented exclusively by Republicans in the Legislature who have called for even greater budget cuts.'' In the end, Williams was unable to persuade his own Democratic majority that it should share in those cuts.
Read more: http://www.theolympian.com/2010/07/12/1302520/rep-williams-makes-160-furlough.html#ixzz0tbLR83my
1 comment:
Note that Sonic, who readily admits to be an opponent of Williams, took the time to laud him for his actions.
Sonic, an open invitation is on page 1 for membership to ThurstonBlog.
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