Study of legislators’ assets finds ‘Millionaire Coalition Caucus’

OLYMPIA (July 2, 2014) — A detailed new analysis of public records shows that at least half of the Washington State Senate Republicans’ Majority Coalition Caucus (MCC) members have a net worth of $1 million or more.

“Despite having benefited the most from our roads, schools, and infrastructure, these 13 members of the of the ‘Millionaire Coalition Caucus’ are now making it more difficult for workers by trying to limit paid sick leave and undermine the minimum wage,” writes Fuse, the progressive organization that has posted the analysis at its website. The report adds:

No one becomes wealthy in isolation. We all rely on the roads, schools, laws, and public infrastructure that are the foundation of our economy. The financial success of the Millionaire Coalition Caucus shows that they have reaped the greatest benefits from these public goods. Yet after earning incredible wealth, they are now making it more difficult for other aspiring workers to achieve the same financial success. The Millionaire Coalition Caucus has tried to limit paid sick leave, implement sub-minimum wages, and prevent local governments from increasing their own minimum wages, all while protecting tax loopholes for greedy corporations.

In 2013, 13 members of the Senate Republicans’ Majority Coalition Caucus reported assets of more than $1 million, and topping the list was Sen. Rodney Tom, the party flopping Senate Majority Leader from Medina, at approximately $10 million.

The others, in order of personal wealth, are Sens. Linda Evans Parlette (R-Wenatchee), Andy Hill (R-Redmond), Mike Hewitt (R-Walla Walla), Don Benton (R-Vancouver), Steve Litzow (R-Mercer Island), Bruce Dammeier (R-Puyallup), Jan Angel (R-Port Orchard), Mark Schoesler (R-Ritzville), Sharon Brown (R-Kennewick), Tim Sheldon (“D”-Potlatch), John Braun (R-Centralia), and Randi Becker (R-Eatonville). Sens. Pam Roach (R-Auburn) and Curtis King (R-Yakima), just missed the cut at an estimated $960,000 and $936,000, respectively.

“The story is quite different on the Democratic side of the aisle,” according to the analysis. “Just seven of 23 of the Senate Democrats have assets of $1 million or more: Mullet, McAuliffe, Frockt, Fraser, Nelson, Rolfes, and Billig. More importantly, those members supported paid sick leave, raising the minimum wage, and other economic security measures.”

Read the whole analysis here.