Yesterday was the last day Jay Inslee represented our state in the House of Representatives. Admittedly he wasn't flashy nor was he an attention hog. Jay served the state and his constituents and his record is to be admired. Below are some of his accomplishments and see my Sunday Diary for his current voting record and racking.
First though let me address the controversy over Jays leaving the House to run for governor full-time.
To those who are all up about it here are two words F and U and one question. If your employee wanted to stay on your payroll but only show-up now and then while he's was off hunting another job, where would your outrage be then? What is the honorable choice here? The moral choice? Is it to keep drawing a public salary while only working part-time? That sounds awfully Republicon to me.
By holding the new state-budget hostage and forcing a special session, demanding enormous cuts in education, revisiting union busting charter school legislation, and proposing deep cuts in state pension benefits, the GOP has tipped it's hand on the agenda they will impose if they are allowed to win. They made it clear just what is at stake.
Things change and reasonable people evaluate the situation and make changes as necessary. What made sense last month before the Republicons came right out in front of god and everybody and demonstrated proof positive that they are running the same ALEK inspired playbook as Scott Walker in WI doesn't work this month.
Beating Rob McKenna and the GOP money machine is not going to be a walk in the park. We need and deserve a full time candidate and Jay Inslee was smart enough to realize that. Nuff said, it's another non-issue.
For the Record: Just a few not so little things you can quote in your support. Please write a letter to you local newpaper supporting Jay and countering the right wing's attack machine.
Protecting our natural resources
- Fought to restore protections for national forests and led a successful campaign in the house to keep limits on oil-tanker traffic in Puget Sound.
- As an original co-sponsor, Jay passed the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act, which will add 22,000 acres to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area, connecting the wildlands between Snoqualmie, Stevens and Blewett passes, including RussianButte, Preacher Mountain, and pristine lands surrounding the current AlpineLakes Wilderness Area.
- In Congress, Jay supported Puget Sound cleanup efforts because restoration of the Sound’s delicate ecosystem is an integral part of human and environmental health in the region. Jay worked with federal officials on the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem project and co-sponsored H.R. 4029 the Puget Sound Recovery Act which will establish an EPA Puget Sound Program office.
- Jay introduced the Cascadia Marine Trail Study Act, which will further protect Puget Sound waterways by starting the process of designating the Cascadia Marine Trail as a NationalScenic Trail.
Representing Washington Values
- Jay voted against the War in Iraq.
- He voted against the deregulation of Wall Street.
Supporting Washington Industries
- Fought to keep taxpayer dollars from going to a foreign competitor who was found by the World Trade Organization (WTO) to have received massive and illegal government subsidies to undercut American workers. As a result Boeing was able to win the contract to build the next generation Air Force refueling tanker. The contract could mean up to 11,000aerospace jobs in Washington.
Promoting the growth of the clean tech industry
- Jay has used his seat on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee to promote his vision for a clean energy future, the New Apollo Energy Act, and to advance other legislation that would reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
Kossack Act Blue Page, Jay Inslee Website, Facebook