I was enormously surprised by The Mirror’s endorsement of Katrina Asay for the Washington State Legislature position 1, citing her “seven years of budget experience as a strong mayor of Milton.” There are a number of reports from the Milton area that conflict strongly with this view, and I do not feel that this has been investigated enough to give voters a sound reason for voting for Asay.

It is not at all clear to me that Asay is fiscally responsible, that she knows how to control costs, that she knows how to balance a budget. I have to be shown the numbers to be convinced, and I wish The Mirror had spent more time examining the state audits of the City of Milton’s books and taken a look at a lawsuit involving Asay as the Milton mayor.

Carol Gregory, on the other hand, has had a variety of experience as chief executive of a teacher’s organization, as a consultant to governor, as a manager of a community relations and a small business council — and I would believe that her experience as a teacher would have wonderfully sharpened the critical math skills necessary for balancing a budget. Outgo of money must be equal to or less than incoming money. There have been no negative audits or lawsuits associated with Gregory’s years of public service.

Historically, Democrats have always been better at this sort of mathematics than Republicans, as witnessed by the enormous deficits amassed by the Republicans Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. Reagan and Bush left us with debt. The presidency of Bill Clinton left us with a surplus which George W. Bush couldn’t wait to spend on war.

Washington State needs fiscal responsibility. I believe that Carol Gregory is a better guarantee of that than Katrina Asay.

Karen Hedwig Backman, Federal Way