Washington State House Democrats

Note: scroll down to see the text of Rep. Springer's letter to the salary commission

February 4, 2005

OLYMPIA–State Rep. Larry Springer, D-Kirkland, today urged the Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials to reject salary increases to legislators and other elected officials during the current budget crisis.

"Increasing legislative salaries at the very time we are asking others to tighten their belts is morally wrong and could further degrade public trust in the Legislature," Springer said in a letter to salary commission members.

Noting that state, county and city budgets are reeling from revenue shortfalls that will require cutbacks in important services, Springer said that granting a salary increase at this time "would be another sad step towards making ‘public trust’ a contradiction in terms."

Springer noted that legislators received a small (2 percent) salary increase just last year, even though teachers were being denied salary increases called for by Initiative 732.

"In the spirit of fairness, and for the sake of helping Washington’s elected officials to restore public confidence in state government, I urge you to reject proposed salary increases for legislators and elected officials," Springer said.

Dear Salary Commission Members,

I strongly urge you to reject any proposal to increase the salaries of state lawmakers and elected officials this year.

Our state is now facing a $1.6 billion fiscal crisis that will require serious reductions in important government services. Increasing legislative salaries at the very time we are asking others to tighten their belts is morally wrong and could further degrade public trust in the Legislature.

Please remember that lawmakers were granted a small salary increase just last year – at the same time that Washington’s teachers were being denied salary increases that had already been approved by a public initiative!

Throughout Washington, state, city and county budgets are reeling from revenue shortfalls. Real people will be hurt by budget cutbacks as a result. A salary increase for legislators during this budget crisis would be another sad step towards making "public trust" a contradiction in terms.

In the spirit of fairness, and for the sake of helping Washington’s elected officials to restore public confidence in state government, I urge you to reject proposed salary increases for legislators and elected officials.