Evan Smith: Fairley describes support for, opposition to budget deal

By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

Since the announcement of the tax package to close the State budget gap, legislators have been getting messages from constituents.

 Democratic Sen. Darlene Fairley (pictured) sent examples of hundreds of letters, faxes and e-mails that have come to her, urging support of the compromise tax package. Most pleaded for passage of the tax package to protect public education, the basic health plan, and programs for children, the elderly and the handicapped, including a letter from a housing advocacy group.

A note from a children’s advocacy group emphasized the need to avoid further cuts to education and praised the taxes on candy, soda pop and other unhealthy products. A note from someone who works with mentally disabled people noted how that group could be hurt by budget cuts, and praised the proposed cutting of tax loopholes and the tax on cigarettes and the temporary taxes on beer and soda pop.

She also got a note from someone in the bottling business describing the hardship the soda-pop tax would put on his business.

Fairley represents the 32nd Legislative District, including Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, the Finn Hill area of Kirkland. Woodway, unincorporated Esperance and part of Edmonds.