I wondered whom I would vote for to fill Rep. Brendan Williams’ shoes, and now that Jeremy Miller is in the state representative Position 1 race, I’ll cast a vote for someone instead of just the lesser of two evils.
Miller has the obvious experience organizing people. We see it every year as the Love and Freedom Rally grows. Not only is it a great place for all kinds of political and artistic expression, it’s subdued enough I can take my son to enjoy music by the lake in the shadow of our Capitol.
I’ve seen the frontrunner Stew Henderson in action at the Tumwater City Council. He gave a PowerPoint presentation on where the city could apply for grants. Then he asked the city for $5,000 to write the grants.
I learned that they gave him $2,500 and he did this all over Thurston County. Don’t we have grant writers on staff?
Apparently, that’s Stew Henderson’s private sector experience. He writes grants, and the taxpayers pay extra.
When I hear Chris Reykdal say he’s for tax reform, we know he means tax increase.
We can’t afford the increases we’ve already received, and I won’t vote for another one. Now I read this morning he thinks our initiative process is impure. Compared to what? The Legislature?
The other Position 1 candidates have “incumbent” written all over them.
To look at Jeremy Miller’s accomplishments is to see a guy who cared about this community before he ran for politics.
MICHAEL HUBER; Olympia
Government waste at its worst
A few days ago I received a four-page message from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It was printed in full color on glossy paper.
I hate to think how much it costs the government to print this material, and I wonder who authorized such an expensive use of taxpayers’ money.
In addition, they promised to continue to provide up-to-date information.
MARIANNE ELLIS; Lacey
Time to put an end to the slaughter
I write regarding Thursday’s community meeting on no- shooting zones in Thurston County.
I do not hunt, however, I have no problem with regular hunting like deer and elk. These sportsmen eat what they shoot and respect their surroundings.
This is not the case with the killing of migratory water fowl in Eld, Henderson and Budd inlets.
These birds are not good to eat. They are shot out of the air and shot while swimming just for fun. The so-called sportsmen leave a mess and just go back home. Many of them are from out of county. Homes have been hit by shotgun pellets. I think it is way past time for the county commissioners to put an end to the slaughter.
WARREN ARNOLD; Olympia
Washington’s tax system is too regressive
The tax system in Washington state is nowhere near equitable.
Washingtonians with incomes below $37,000 pay 13 percent to 17 percent of their income in state and local taxes, while those with incomes above $200,000 pay less than 5 percent, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.
In a word, Washington’s tax system is the most regressive of any state in the nation.
But, finally, we have an opportunity to start making our state taxes more equitable. Initiative 1098 would tax high-income citizens while lowering property taxes, eliminating business and occupation taxes on small businesses, and setting up a trust fund to help pay for quality education and health care.
I-1098 will tax the excess income of those with incomes over $400,000 per couple ($200,000 per individual). The first $400,000 for a couple is not taxed at all. Our wealthiest citizens — 3 percent of our population — can handle this, and it sure helps the rest of us because it would bring in $1 billion a year at a time we really need it.
Many individuals and organizations support 1098 — including Bill Gates, Sr. They realize that a fair tax system makes everyone’s life more secure.
I-1098 will help repair our broken system in three ways: It helps those in need, it’s fair to the rich, and it intelligently benefits business.
Anyone can help their families, friends, and our state by signing Initiative 1098 by July 2 to get it on the ballot.
SAMUEL MERRILL, LEGISLATIVE CHAIRMAN; Friends Committee on Washington Public Policy (Quakers)
