There are plenty of topics to choose from this week, but the Legislature’s efforts to produce a balanced budget remain top of mind. The Senate passed its budget this week, and the plan is an improvement over the House version in at least two important ways. 1) It doesn’t bank on a one-shot jolt to the state treasury from selling the state’s liquor wholesale business. 2) It assumes some savings from reforms to Washington’s worker compensation system.
Some opponents are raising legitimate questions about Catholic Charities Housing Services’ proposal to build low-income housing for farmworkers in Prosser. But the project addresses a real problem, and even the thoughtful objections — as opposed to the not-in-my-backyard crowd — don’t outweigh the need. The Prosser City Council made the only move it could in approving the project and avoided costly lawsuit that the city would likely lose.
Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill that’s supposed to help small horse tracks like the one in Dayton. But since it doesn’t automatically come with any money, it’s uncertain whether it gives the state’s rural tracks a fighting chance at survival.
The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board has concerns about the safety culture of employees and management at the Hanford vitrification plant, the board Chairman Peter Winokur told Congress. The Energy Department’s initial reaction wasn’t particularly reassuring. Outside oversight is crucial, but only worthwhile when it results in actual improvements. The public needs to know what Hanford officials are doing to address the board’s concerns.
Over-reactions to the behavior of other drivers on Interstate 82 resulted in a pileup that sent four people to the hospital. Recovery from highway speed accidents can take years. It’s not unusual for survivors to suffer permanent impairment. If you’re prone to road rage, get some help. It’s cliche but true — a moment of anger isn’t worth a lifetime of remorse.
A recent story detailed the fears of local health officials that looming cuts in benefits for low-income families will flood hospital emergency rooms with patients who can no longer afford other options for routine illnesses and ongoing care for chronic conditions. Our hospitals can’t operate at a loss. The cost of charity cases must be picked up elsewhere. The cuts help balance the state budget, but the costs are merely shifted to insurance companies and ultimately consumers. Infinia Corp. is selling 2,900 to 3,000 of its solar energy units to an Indian company thanks to a $30 million loan authorized by the Export-Import Bank of the United States. It’s good news for the whole community. Anything that advances Tri-Cities reputation for innovative energy solutions is important to our future.
The regional aid plan that Mid-Columbia fire officials have created is drastically reducing response times. This ought to be model for other areas of Mid-Columbia governments that could benefit from combining forces.
