Now that the shock of the elections are over and the voters have rejected Initiative 1033, (the spending limit initiative), the talk in Olympia is more taxes and higher existing taxes.

Gov. Gregoire and her fellow Democrats have indicated just that.

Raising any taxes is the worst thing state officials can do, especially when the economy is showing modest signs of recovery.

Taking more money from Washington families and employers through higher taxes is the wrong move to make.

Small businesses and most homeowners are trying desperately to survive and pay their current taxes from year to year.

In 1981 and 1993, Washington state Govs. John Spellman and Mike Lowry and state lawmakers levied higher taxes and cut incentives that stimulated investment in manufacturing. This was a huge mistake.

In both instances, employers were forced to lay people off.

Let’s don’t repeat history.

Raising taxes won’t make consumers more confident, it won’t create more jobs and it won’t encourage employers to expand and hire.

Those of you who didn’t vote for I-1033 should consider the consequences, thus being taxed even more.

ROB DAUGHERTY

Olalla