More Olympian Shenanigans...

Sometimes, I get so tired of railing against the idiots we elect to represent us, who seem to feel we are idiots.

For example, this from the Evergreen Freedom Foundation:

Senate passes tax package - More hikes to come.

Posted by Scott "The Piper" St. Clair - March 07, 2010

Just moments ago, the Washington State Senate passed Enrolled Senate Substitute Bill 6143, a 22-part tax increase package that includes a bump in the state-wide sales tax.

On a vote of 25 in favor and 23 opposed with one excused, the Senate capped a long, sometimes rancorous debate that saw Republicans seek to forestall the inevitable with parliamentary tactics.

Generally, Democrats said raising taxes was necessary to keep schools open and social services for the poor, children and the elderly funded. Republicans countered with reminders that overall state spending has increased nearly $1.8 billion over the preceding biennium and that increases in existing programs and funding for new programs are receiving support from the majority Democrats.

Sen. Linda Parlette, R-Wenatchee, said that the Legislature should be focused on jobs and the economy and getting spending under control. 

Sen. Paull Shin, D-Mukilteo, said that he regarded all Washingtonians as "family." {barf--DWD} He supported the tax package. {surprise!--DWD}

When Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, the constitutional president of the Senate, called for a final vote, Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, brought the body to a temporary standstill by moving to force a vote on each of the 22 tax increases in the bill. After a lengthy delay to consider Benton's motion, Owen ruled it out of order saying that to do so would be too confusing to voters, among other things.

Where have we heard that before?  Oh, yeah, a buncha  super-smart libs in "The Other Washington..."

Here's the KOMO report.  

Democrats voting against the measure were: Rodney Tom, D-Medina, Steve Hobbs of Lake Stevens, Claudia Kauffman of Kent, Derek Kilmer of Gig Harbor, Chris Marr of Spokane and Tim Sheldon of Potlach.

And, yes, the State Senate met on Sunday.  They only have a week left to gouge us for every dime.  Those slackers in the State House of representatives took the day off.  Probably planning their next fact finding trips to Tahiti or something...

No slackers in the Senate, though!  EFF reports that they weren't satisfied with "simply" raising sales taxes, they also passed another bill to raise cigarette taxes--again.

Smokes to cost more, per Senate action - Idaho, Oregon merchants rejoice

Posted by Scott "The Piper" St. Clair - March 07, 2010

Just a few moments ago, the Senate voted 29 to 19 with one excused to run up the state tax on cigarettes an additional $1 per pack. This will make Washington state the second highest tax-per-pack state in the country.

According to the terms of the Substitute Senate Bill 6874, whatever revenue is derived from the tax will go toward funding the state's Basic Health Care Plan, which provides low-cost health insurance for the poor.

Debate on the measure focused on the evils of smoking and how the tax will serve as an added disincentive to do it (Democrats) versus increased taxes simply drives smokers to smuggle them in from out of state or patronize Native American smoke shops on reservations (Republicans).

It's fascinating how the state taxes and taxes a practice that it claims it abhors - smoking - in order to fund health insurance for those who cannot afford it and who disproportionately smoke. On the one hand, the state bangs its collective fist on the table against evil cigarettes all the while whispering into the ear of smokers, "Smoke, smoke, smoke that cigarette..."

 Personally, I disapprove of hiking taxes to discourage behavior that some disapprove of--maybe there should be a tax on taxes--but hiking taxes on behavior to fund the medical treatment seems, well, of dubious effectiveness.

KOMO reports that one republican voted for this tax--Bob Morton of Orient. Three Democrats voted against the measure: Sens. Craig Pridemore of Vancouver, Paull Shin of Edmonds, and Tim Sheldon of Potlach.  How Pridemore and Shin could be for the other taxes, but against this one is beyond me, but maybe that's what the Lieutenant Governor was talking about...