Connect with us

STATE GOVERNMENT

‘Faces of the 99%’ swarm Capitol to oppose all-cuts budget

Here’s a roundup of news coverage of Tuesday’s Occupy the Capitol protests. (Click here for more information about continuing actions this week in Olympia.)


WSLC-produced video coverage of Tuesday’s “Faces of the 99%” event:

 

 

► In today’s Spokesman-Review — Spokane protesters urge ‘balanced approach’ to solving state budget woes — Spokane-area residents joined other demonstrators Tuesday in urging the Legislature to close a projected $1.4 billion budget shortfall with a “balanced approach” that includes tax increases as well as program cuts. “We’ve already had tons of cuts. What we need now is revenue,” said Amanda Hunt, one of 19 area residents who lobbied legislators who have districts that include parts of Spokane County.

Photo by WFSE's Tim Welch

► In today’s Olympian — Capitol protests take a big toll — Demonstrators demand the gap be bridged in part with tax increases, not just with cuts to social services, schools and the like. The State Patrol says most have expressed those sentiments peacefully. But there have been confrontations with a few in the Occupy movement.

► In today’s (Everett) Herald — Special session quiets down, but at least 11 protesters arrested — Gov. Chris Gregoire says the extra costs of dealing with protesters will force additional cuts: “Their message here is ‘No more cuts.’ Well, if we have to pay overtime and so on, there will be more cuts by this alone. We can ill-afford in these tough times to spend this money.”

EDITOR’S NOTE — Lawmakers have created civil unrest with their policies attacking the 99%. Meanwhile, lawmakers have imposed austerity measures on public safety budgets, making it harder to deal with civil unrest. And now lawmakers say that protests will force more budget cuts?! Are you trying to quell protests or inspire them?

► At Slog — Regularly updated posts from Occupy the Capitol



 

TODAY’S Occupy the Capitol action (Wednesday, Nov. 30) — Make the 1% Pay their Fair Share — It’s time for the richest 1% to pay their fair share to help fix our economy. Big banks and large corporations benefit from outdated tax loopholes while our communities continue to suffer. We need a tax system that is fair to all of us so that we can rebuild an economy that works for the 99%. Join us at 9 a.m. at the Capitol Building, then meet again at noon at the Rotunda to march to a secret 1% location. At 3:30 p.m., Occupy the Senate Ways and Means Committee hearing in Room 4 of the J.A. Cherberg Building.

CHECK OUT THE UNION DIFFERENCE in Washington: higher wages, affordable health and dental care, job and retirement security.

FIND OUT HOW TO JOIN TOGETHER with your co-workers to negotiate for better wages, benefits, and a voice at work. Or go ahead and contact a union organizer today!