Gregoire noted that the country's top oil companies have made billions of dollars in profits this year, "so I expect them to do this without passing this on to consumers."
A governor declaring how much money a company can make is beyond the pale. And arrogant -- "I expect them"? If it isn't in the law, why should the oil companies pay attention? If it is in the law, how does the State enforce it, assuming that it's constitutional in the first place.
What might soon-to-be Governor Inslee say in a year or two, following this example? "I expect everyone to pay an income tax", whether it's the law, or not?
It's a good thing she's leaving office, but soon-to-be ex-Governor Gregoire is setting a poor tone for the upcoming budget debate in Olympia. There's a need to balance spending and revenue, but behaving like this is not the way to get bi-partisan agreement AND not adversely impact the state economy.
Stay in contact with your elected representatives; at least with the power sharing scheme in the State Senate, there's a chance of setting an example for this sort of arrogance.
