Explains state of budget

It is no surprise that sage advice for restraint is ignored by some state government workers and supervisors. [“Olympia’s expensive love affair with SUVs,” page one, April 29.]

I am sure that a majority of state employees are responsible. It is the taxpayers’ money they are spending. Because there are few checks on spending, we are left with a warped, out-of-balance state budget.

Because former Gov. Gary Locke in 2005 advised the state to stop buying 4-wheel drive sport vehicles, the state started buying more! Instead of 26 percent of all vehicles bought by state Fleet Operations being SUVs, the state now has 77 percent!

Might we suggest that those buying out-of-line, pay out-of-pocket?

— Bill Wippel, Normandy Park