You assume your vote counts. It appears that State Senator Mark Mullet has a very different opinion. Almost 70 percent of us within the 5th Legislative District chose to have a two-thirds majority (vote) of the legislature required to raise taxes. Mullet voted ‘Nay’ against this bill (Senate Joint Resolution 8213) the other week. Our local community decided, but Mullet overrode the citizens.

Restoring the two-thirds legislature majority requirement to raise our taxes empowers the individual, versus Olympia. As all of us are diligently trying to keep employed, creating a future for the next generation, and, pursuing the American dream, Mullet is more predisposed on concentrating public coffers.

If Mr. Mullet is in need of revenue, then his focus should be on growing our economy and jobs.

This pattern of sovereign decision-making is drawing closer to home. Example: The upcoming King Country Proposition 1 will raise car tab fees to $60, and increase the sales tax to 9.6 percent. Seattle voters will also be facing another upcoming decision. They will vote on increasing park taxes and to a park district that can independently double future taxes. Welcome to the ‘new normal.’

Will Mullet take his cue from this business-as-usual thinking when Olympia soon reviews the state transportation budget?

Taxes are not the issue. It is the autonomous decisions that are made by those who believe they know better for our community. When is their appetite ever satisfied? Has it ever been? Mr. Mullet, please return decisions and dollars back to the citizens of the 5th.

Bruno Kelpsas

Snoqualmie