Letter: Vote for Gary Downing for state representative

Gary Downing, a longtime Kennewick resident, is running for 16th District state representative (Position 2). Recently retired, Mr. Downing has the time, energy, and dedication to represent the interests of his community.

Mr. Downing will work to improve funding for education, address the problem of regressive taxation, and support a realistic increase in the minimum wage.

Washington state has the most regressive tax structure in the nation. This has resulted in the continuing crisis in school funding, neglect of highways and bridges, and a fraying of the social safety net.

Mr. Downing believes that government exists to serve all its citizens, not to favor a few. Everyone deserves a living wage, not a starving wage. He holds that money is not speech, and that only human beings, not corporations, are people.

I would urge the residents of the 16th Legislative District to support Mr. Downing. His website is www.elect-downing.com.

This story was originally published June 7, 2016 at 1:23 AM with the headline "Letter: Vote for Gary Downing for state representative."