The state Senate Democratic Caucus just released its recommendations for committee chairs, elevating Seattle Sen. Ed Murray to the top position on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. And according to a statement released through the caucus, this leaves Ed very, very humble.
“I’m humbled to be considered for the role of Ways & Means chair.
I don’t come with any illusions about the challenges facing our state budget. But I believe my experience working across the aisle to write a budget well prepares me for the significant task ahead.”
I dunno, Ed’s never struck me as particularly humble, but he is the kinda a guy who will occasionally show up at Drinking Liberally and argue with dirty bloggers, so I’m cheered by the news.
So congrats Ed. And if you stop by DL tonight and join us for a frosty brew, I’d be happy to tell you how to solve the budget crisis.
Rank every resident of the state penal system, with violent offenders at the top of the list and non-violent marijuana offenders at or near the bottom, rank them from the greatest threat to society to the least, and then cut one or two prisons’ worth (population) from the bottom of the list and have the governor commute the remainder of their sentences. Then close one or two prisons.
OK, this is oversimplified a touch, but we incarcerate far too many offenders in this state, so let’s use this budget crisis to at least begin tackling the problem.
RE 1: Good point. But, if we incarcerate all the unemployed people, we solve the unemployment problem in one fell swoop. We could even hire more guards.
I’m sure that every cop can ‘find’ some pot on just about anyone!
Ummm, my wife is unemployed, and I doubt she agrees that’s an offense worthy of incarceration.
Criminals rarely do.
Ed is one of the most impressive pols I have ever met.
He is, like lots of Goldy’s favorites, a wonk (for those who speak yiddish .. vu den?). Like all the pols he also has person skills. BUT Ed also has wonderful abilities to explain complex ideas to others.
I am grateful he is taking this difficult job bit really, really would like to see Ed take McDermitt’s chair!
We lucky to have Ed and if anyone here does not agree with me, they should ask HA God. I will do that now!
question about ed –
this f’ing idiocy about reaching across the aisle –
is he smart enough to know he has to say this stuff for all the mouth breathers and all the HOPElessly naive goody goodies, but, he’ll do the right thing and push all the right’s lies down their lying f’king throats?
OR, will he be like so many of the rest of the Dim-0-fuck pathetics and sell outs, and actually “negotiate” with fascists who want a world of doormats, boot lickers, ass wipes, serfs and cannon fodder?
please pick door #1, ed!
rmm.