State Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, remains apparently unconcerned about the enormous economic crisis facing the state. The senator, an alumnus from the University of Washington, led the charge to allow $150 million of taxpayer money to help renovate UW’s stadium.

The bill died for this session, but Murray decided he had been handed a mandate. He drafted an amendment he plans to propose to the state operating budget that does not allow for any “state funds, tuition revenues or student fees” to be used to pay for operating expenses at public universities in Washington.

This of course is aimed at the WSU athletic department, which uses about $2 million annually from the university as well as the student-approved $25 per semester fee to help fund the renovations of Martin Stadium.

“I have heard the message loud and clear, state taxes should not be used for sports,” he told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Perhaps Murray should try cleaning out his ears, as the message seems to have come through a bit garbled. Most objections from Cougar alumni were not along the lines of “they got something we didn’t,” but more, “maybe there’s something better we can be spending $150 million on when the state is facing a two-year budget shortfall of $9 billion.” But what is particularly galling is that upon hearing comments from those who disagreed with him, the senator decided to act like a petulant toddler and engage in a bit of tit-for-tat.

It’s understandable to be upset when something doesn’t go your way, but the proper response after the age of six is not to throw a tantrum.

What, precisely, does Murray stand to gain from this? WSU is facing cuts of $54.2 million, or 10.4 percent, over the next two years (after stimulus money and a 14 percent raise in tuition), and UW will have to cut a similar percentage of its budget. One wonders at the thought process required to conclude that $150 million in taxpayer money for a stadium seems like a pressing need.

WSU managed to fund its stadium renovation thus far with the help of students and alumni. It does not seem terribly unreasonable to ask UW to do the same.

Childish ideas of revenge really have no place in the Legislature. If this is the kind of leadership an elected representative chooses to show during an unprecedented time of economic crisis, perhaps state Sen. Ed Murray should find another occupation that would suit him better. Maybe something working with preschool children, whom he could better understand and relate with.