A recent letter to the editor expressed concern regarding State Rep.  Barbara Bailey’s membership in, and support from, a radically conservative organization called ALEC. There is good reason for concern, but in fairness, readers should also be aware that one of State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen’’s bigger 2012 campaign contributions came from Vulcan, Inc., whose CEO Paul Allen is best known for his personal extravagance.

Allen also donated at least $100,000 to defeat I-1098, the 2010 state income tax initiative. Maybe his support for Sen. Haugen is a reason for her tepid, if not nonexistent, support for state tax reform. She seems to favor more taxes and fees like the ones we already pay instead of one tax that could replace all of the taxes and fees we now pay and would also transfer a significant part of the burden to people like Paul Allen.

Says she, “What you suggest would require a constitutional amendment, and that’s hard to do.” At this moment, a constitutional amendment (SJR 8223) is being evaluated by the Secretary of State that would allow WSU and UW to invest their revenues in stocks and bonds. The vote in the Senate was 45 to 2 in favor, with Sen. Haugen voting yea. In the House, the vote was 93 to 4 in favor, with both of our state representatives voting yea. This bill has received scant coverage in the media. So much for transparency.

Here’’s a question for Sen. Haugen and both of our representatives: Why do you favor a constitutional amendment that would allow our state-supported universities to gamble with the revenue they get from taxes and donations instead of an amendment that would raise additional revenue directly from rich citizens like Paul Allen?

Jim Bruner

Oak Harbor