Our Voice: Thumbs up and thumbs down
Vote on Tuesday
Election Day is tomorrow. If you haven’t dropped your ballot in the mail, you better get it on today’s to-do list. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3. If you’d rather, many drop-off locations are available throughout the region.
This has been one of the more active and contentious election seasons we can remember for local races, the results of which have a direct impact on your daily life.
We’re impressed with the number of candidates — especially the number of newcomers to politics — who are willing to step forward and serve. We had the chance to meet many candidates in person and listen to their viewpoints. Our recommendations have run on this page during the past few weeks.
What we’re not impressed with is the number of ballots returned so far so please show pride in your community and vote.
Federal budget
The budget agreement struck in Washington, D.C., may seem like a world away, but it has a big impact here at home.
A government shutdown could have stopped work at Hanford with federal employees being furloughed.
“This budget is the result of compromise from both sides, but at the end of the day, I’m so glad we can give the Hanford community the certainty it needs to keep moving this critical cleanup forward,” Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said in a statement.
It’s a good day when petty politics are overridden by reason.
Saving the Ex-Im Bank
The U.S. House of Representatives has taken action to rescue the U.S. Import-Export Bank.
The bank assists with sales of U.S. exports to foreign countries, but its charter expired in June amid controversy over some of the businesses it works with. We are already feeling the ramifications with several companies citing lost business opportunities.
We have long advocated for the Ex-Im Bank and believe it helps our economy by sustaining manufacturing jobs and serving as a financing bridge for exporters and buyers alike.
House Democrats and Republicans joined forces to approve a “discharge petition” to force the bill out of a committee controlled by an opponent of the bank.
Congress should follow suit. A re-authorization of the bank is the only answer.
Ignoring rural roads
The little guy often gets left out of the spending equation and that’s just what’s happening when it comes to our state’s roads.
In King County, big cities are getting money for roads while rural areas are being ignored.
The much-touted $3 billion dollar elevated highway and beleaguered tunnel project in downtown Seattle churns on while bridges are being closed in rural parts of the county and road maintenance is a struggle. County officials say when roads deteriorate they will be closed rather than repaired.
All taxpayers should be treated equally, as should their roads.
This story was originally published November 1, 2015 at 5:32 PM with the headline "Our Voice: Thumbs up and thumbs down."