Gary Alexander Promises No Lightening Of The Load

State Representative Gary Alexander (R-Olympia) is the top Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, giving him as much say as the minority gets to have over the state budget. He’s also up for reelection in a safely Republican district and currently has no opponent. Which is fine, as he may be his own worst enemy.

Let me paint you a picture. Actually, let Rep. Alexander paint that picture, with the very words he used on the House floor to talk about our state budget, his area of expertise:

“Mr. Speaker, we’re on a ferry boat. Not just a regular ferry boat, but a super, super ferry…up there in the pilot house is our captain, the Governor. She’s got a smile on her face, it’s a beautiful blue sky out, the water’s calm, and the economic vitality at both ends of this route are looking very vibrant.

On the deck of this ferry, at the stern, we have a glass jar…a very large glass jar…in front of glass jar, can you picture this, is Santa Claus and he’s flanked by two small but beautiful women in the 11th and 36th district who serve as his elves.

Every day at about 3:30 in the afternoon, this W.S. Majority Staff goes back to the stern, Mr. Speaker, and bring a stocking. The size of the stockings differ, but they’re all the same color, red and white…they climb up this ladder…and they put in coins…they’re pretty happy about this.

Mr. Speaker, the ferry boat is starting to take on water…they’re going to have to let some of those stockings go overboard…well, you can appreciate the chaos.

The picture is, Mr. Speaker, I haven’t seen any stockings go overboard. I haven’t seen any light at the end of the load...I don’t want to bring this ferry boat into the water.”

Watch it yourself, here, at about the 2:21:50 mark.

This is top Republican budget writer. This is the load we have to bear, and, sadly, we too see no lightening of the load.