The Great East vs. West Debate

If you are familiar with politics in Washington State, there’s no doubt you’ve heard of the rift between Western and Eastern Washington.  According to UW professor, John Findlay, this rift has been around since the 1880’s.  In a nutshell, Eastern Washington residents have been unhappy with the way politics in the state are seemingly dominated by the more liberal, Puget Sound legislators.  In particular, the tax and economic policy are thought to be “socialist” and bringing Washington deeper into a “welfare state.”  “Eastern Washington lawmakers are tired of getting stuck with legislation catering to the interests of the coast” Senator Frank Hansen from Moses Lake stated in the Ellensburg Daily Record.  In 1985, 1991, and again in 2001, Eastern Washington Republicans have introduced legislation proposing the secession of Eastern Washington.

These Eastern Washington legislators should be careful what they wish for, warns David Nice, a political science professor at Washington State University.  “It wouldn’t be a terribly strong state financially,” he said.  This seems a bit ironic, considering the state’s heavily republican east side is supportive of scaling back state government, reducing benefits to the most needy, and cutting taxes. 

Seattle’s alternative newspaper, The Stranger, published a compelling article on the exact nature of Washington’s “welfare state.”  It turns out, Eastern Washington residents are those that are subsidized the most by tax dollars.  With the latest 2001 proposal to split the state, Senator Bob Morton (R-Orient) stated, “We’re saying ‘Whoa, we don’t want to create a revolution, but we certainly do want our rights.  We want our culture, customs and lifestyle preserved.”  There seem to be some conflicting messages being sent by lawmakers in Eastern Washington.  Much like with many voters, there is a disconnect between perceptions and fact – about who pays for the majority of services and who is benefitting from them.

King County contains roughly 29% of the state population, produces 42% of state tax revenues, and receives back less than 26% of state benefits – a return of only 62 cents on the dollar.  Compare that to the $3.16 return on the dollar in Ferry County and you’d think that Eastern Washington should look at the facts before complaining that Western Washington receives a disproportionate share of state resources.  The chart on the total money each county receives from the state for each dollar is pays in taxes is a particularly good visual on the divide. 

This type of disparity spans all types of government – school districts and social services being the most prominent.  The following charts show you how certain counties (Yakima, Okanagon, Adams, and Stevens) are subsidized by the rest of the state.

Now, don’t get me wrong.  I do not think this disparity is bad or even ironic.  Those who need the most help should receive it from those who have surplus.  Anybody who lives in Eastern Washington will tell you that, of course, it costs more per capita to maintain core functions like roads and schools because the population is smaller.  The irony comes about when those who live in these less populated counties vote against measures that will directly impact the services they depend on.  It is this exact type of disconnect that needs to be discussed on a much larger scale.  Voters largely don’t think past how much it costs them as individuals to pay taxes.  They don’t make the connection between the services and subsidies they receive and their tax dollars.  It is this disconnect that must be discussed on a broader scale so that we can create a tax structure in our state that suits everyone’s needs – in good times and in bad. 

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