Commentary: What's Really Going On in Olympia

Attention has been focused recently on the political back-and-forth of the revenue deliberations in Olympia, as if the only thing that’s at stake is only the political drama of whether this tax or that tax may go up. But getting scant attention is what the revenue proposals are actually paying for and what’s really at stake.

Behind the numbers are people, and the real drama in Olympia is about the thousands around the state who’ll be affected by what happens.

The deliberations will determine whether young scholars will see their dreams of going to college evaporate if student aid is cut. 

Working parents may lose child care and find themselves having to choose between work or the stability of their families. Children in their formative years would remain in overcrowded classrooms being less able to build a stable  foundation for their future.

A state that prides itself on its quality of life would see environmental cleanups put on hold. A state whose economic strength depends on a skilled workforce that draws and keeps companies here could jeopardize its future.

All remain on the chopping block dependent on the outcome of this special session, as lawmakers try to soften another round of cuts. Make no mistake, there will still be cuts piled on top of the $3.6 billion slashed last year when the recession left the state with inadequate resources to address the growing numbers who need help.

The House and Senate revenue packages, it’s worth remembering, would only represent less than 10 percent of the state’s total response to the budget problems that have come from the recession. Much of the rest has come from cuts. The question is just how much deeper the cuts will be, how many more lives will be impacted.

It’s worth remembering, as the debate rages on, what the revenue is for. It’s not to balance numbers on a ledger. More revenue isn’t needed just to end a political stalemate. It’s not about filling an impersonal budget shortfall. It’s not really even about whether we pay a few more pennies for a beer.

It’s to make sure the elderly are cared for, that children are educated, that the environment is protected, that the state protects its future – all those things we expect our government to do.

It’s easy to focus on the political debate, but let’s not forget why the revenue is needed in the first place, and what is really at stake.