Letters to the editor for June 21

Now is not the time for budget cuts

As a board member at The Statewide Poverty Action Network, I witness the impact of cuts to our social safety net every day. A global pandemic is not the time for budget cuts.

This economic crisis will ripple well into the future. Low-income communities, especially those in remote rural areas and tribal nations, will feel the impact more and will take longer to recover. Cuts right now are a death sentence for those local economies.

It’s time to roll our up sleeves and get to work on creating a better revenue system that doesn’t punish Washingtonians for working hard — one that takes the tax burden off of individuals on the low end of the wage scale, and shifts it toward the wealthiest 1% and large corporations.

Three steps to get us on the path to a more equitable revenue system that will allow people and small businesses to thrive in the post-COVID-19 world:

1. Eliminate regressive taxes like B&O and sales tax.

2. Restructure property taxes to ease the strain on middle-class landowners.

3. Institute capital gains and income taxes targeted at the wealthiest 1% of households and corporations.

Let’s get to work, Washington.

Rob Richards, Olympia

Elect Beth Doglio to Congress

It’s absolutely critical that Democrats keep control of the 10th Congressional District when Congressman Denny Heck retires this year. Pursuing a thoughtful and realistic strategy can help to achieve this goal.

It worries me to see eight candidates running for the Democratic nomination. This crowded field could literally forgo the chances for Democrats to be in the race beyond the August top-two primary. And the likely outcome would be to hand the race to Republicans. For the good of Washingtonians, Democrats must unite behind a candidate who can win in November and keep the district under Democratic control.

I believe Beth Doglio is the best candidate to win the 10th Congressional seat in November. She is passionate about Democratic values. She cares about the issues that matter for the well-being of Washingtonians. And she is a strong believer in universal healthcare, taking action against climate change, and economic justice. She will represent our Washington well in the other Washington.

Democrats must unite behind Doglio to keep the 10th Congressional District in Democratic hands.

Mizanur Rahman, Lacey

The world is ripe for change now

What a unique time to be alive. I feel compassion for all those suffering directly and indirectly from this pandemic. Perhaps we can focus on growing acts of kindness for ourselves and others. This also seems like an opportunity to get outside more and appreciate spring plants, animals and the generally radiant Great Outdoors.

I think many people care similarly about nature and, like me, want to protect it from harm. That’s why I ask our federal representatives to support the Great American Outdoors Act, and to encourage leadership to pass this positive bill. It’s important to safeguard beloved wild and scenic places for outdoor recreation, public health and biodiversity conservation purposes.

Our lives are enriched by thriving nature around us. COVID-19 has illustrated the crucial role parks, green spaces and other natural places play in keeping us emotionally healthy and physically active. I hope my lawmakers and fellow citizens recognize the beauty and solace of nature in this challenging time and will stand in support of the Great American Outdoors Act and other federal, state and local measures to keep our country as nature-rich as possible. Our well-being, and that of our fellow species, depends upon it.

Rebecca Canright, Olympia