Washingtonians, as our state Legislature wrestles with our $2.8 billion deficit, I would like to provide a suggestion that I believe would greatly aid in balancing all future budgets.

I would like to see all organized labor removed from areas of state government. It bothers me greatly that unions are negotiating for our tax dollars. It’s not constitutional and it is wrong. When state workers or anyone receiving tax dollars need a cost of living adjustment, we the people can approve it for them — that is how it should be.

I am not anti-union. I believe that in the private sector they may serve a purpose. But they should not be allowed to try and extract the taxpayers’ earnings to fill their coffers with union dues.

This year, when our representatives are considering cutting funding to special education schools due to a lack of money, there are 21,000 state employees getting a 5 percent pay raise. That is I believe, because no matter how rough the economy is, unions don’t like to concede any pay or benefits. It doesn’t seem that they are concerned with what’s good for the state, but rather what’s good for them alone.

I have contacted our three state representatives on Whidbey Island concerning this and received a single reply from Rep. Norma Smith, who is willing to speak to me on this after this year’s legislative session. As I plan to go forward with this meeting, I would like to hear what you the people have to say about this proposal.

I know this is a sacred cow, but I hear they make the best hamburger.

Bryan Martin

Oak Harbor