Letters: Mar. 8, 2018

Invest now

In a public letter of 16 Feb., 2018, Representative Joe Schmick asked for opinions on “giving more money back to tax payers” because economic projections suggest greater than anticipated revenue. The report he cites sees this unexpected good news as a reflection of a healthy economy.

The League of Women Voters supports adequate funding of government services. Thus the League of Women Voters of Pullman strongly suggests that it is precisely because our economy is healthy that this is the time to invest these tax dollars in addressing Washington’s inadequate funding of education, courts, mental health facilities, public health departments and transportation infrastructure construction and maintenance.

For most of us “More money in taxpayers’ pockets’’ cannot provide these services when we need them. Only acting together, via taxes, can it be done. We know that keeping a healthy economy requires these services, and that the people of Washington want these areas of investment. The League urges Schmick to make these investments now when further taxation is not necessary and when it will have the least impact on other important government services.

Mary Collins, vice president

League of Women Voters of Pullman

Stoking

Rich Lowry, in his column "The Russian Bot Hysteria," is minimizing the effect of interference in the election by Russia. But it has been reported from multiple sources that about 160 million people saw and/or forwarded these falsehoods. They weren't just reinforcing attitudes some of us already held. They were playing both sides of every issue to distort and mislead. For example, during the campaign, the Sanders campaign became aware of many bogus sites set up in their name. Once Sanders did not get the nomination they spread lies to affect the turnout, for example, by stoking anger and encouraging their followers not to vote at all.

Bob Curry,

Endicott

Un-be-lievable

I think the Legislature has gone rogue!

Case #1: Over three years ago the McLeary decision was handed down against the Legislature for inadequately funding education and a $100,000 fine per day was levied against them until they fixed it. The Legislature basically thumbed their noses at this fine.

Case #2: At the 2017 Legislative session instead of cutting spending in some areas or coming up with another funding source, they stole $1 per thousand dollars of valuation from all school district levy authority, and charged it to us on our current property tax statements, basically an Olympia shell game.

Case #3: This week they have committed one of the most egregious processes in years. In bipartisan legislation they have determined that they do not need to be held to the same disclosure requirements of the Public Records Act as all other elected officials in Washington State (except judges) and have exempted themselves. And they steamrolled the bills through both houses this week without any committee hearings, without any chance for public comment, which is standard protocol.

Our legislators are acting as if they are untouchable, and they are our representatives. Remember, they are our elected representatives, especially come November elections.

Bob Lothspeich,

Colfax