Raising taxes to balance the state budget should absolutely be on the table. I made a mistake a year or so ago when I voted to repeal the soft drink tax, because I did not think it through carefully. I wish I could redo that vote. We are in a world of hurt, and we need to get our financial house in order, but there is only so much that can be cut before the wounds are fatal.

While I acknowledge that there are still some cuts to be made, they are not enough to make up the budget shortfall. I am most concerned about the proposal for another round of cuts to education. I have worked 29 years in public schools as a teacher and an assistant principal. Before that, I put myself through college by working evenings and summers as a school custodian.

Our teachers continue to do an outstanding job educating our children, even though they are working with less than I have seen in my entire career. This is not about salaries and benefits (although that is part of it); this is about having the funds to purchase up-to-date curriculum, the latest technology, the best security systems, and hire enough staff to ensure our children getting the help they need to succeed.

There is plenty of blame to go around at all levels of government and across party lines. The time has come to join together and make the tough decisions needed to put our state back on a firm financial footing. I, for one, am willing to sacrifice a few dollars a month from my paycheck to help make this happen. Are you?

-- Michael Nordsten, Richland