Budget shortfall topic of town hall

Published 3:20 pm Thursday, March 17, 2011

On March 12, the 23rd Legislative District delegation of Sen. Rockefeller and Reps. Appleton and Rolfes met with constituents in Manette and Poulsbo.

Kudos to our elected leaders for open government and meeting with the 140 constituents in Poulsbo for 90 minutes.

I attended and posed two questions to the delegation. Given Washington State’s $7.7 billion biennial shortfall would you: Support a bill declaring all public-sector contracts null and void under emergency provisions? Support ending the current public-sector union collective-bargaining monopoly held by union bosses?

Rep. Rofles replied “this is not Wisconsin” and answered with a no and no. Rep. Appleton dodged the question totally. However, Sen. Rockefeller stated “everything is on the table.”

An attendee said as the forum wrapped up: “We are doomed with these legislators.” I say: Hope springs eternal. Truth be told: a $7.7 billion state budget shortfall is certainly bracing.

James M. Olsen

Bainbridge Island