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state taxes 2020

Opinion

Editorial: Taxpayers deserve down-payment on tax reforms

Surplus revenues should allow lawmakers to provide relief through a sales tax holiday or reduction.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks as he gives his annual State of the State address, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Due to cautions against COVID-19, Inslee gave his speech in the State Reception Room and it was shown by streaming video to lawmakers meeting remotely. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Opinion

Editorial: Governor’s emergency powers need legislative review

Gov. Inslee’s covid orders have saved lives but should be subject to better checks and balances.

Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, has proposed a bill to make pickleball the official state sport. (Photo provided by Chuck Wright)

Opinion

Editorial: The importance of pickleball and a dinosaur bone

‘Fun’ bills to name a state sport and a state dinosaur are no less important than ‘serious’ issues.

Harper Ninaud, 3, holds up her matching letters as parents and their toddlers enjoying reading, songs and activities at the Lake Stevens Library on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Opinion

Editorial: Worth of Sno-Isle’s Lake Stevens library now clear

Keeping the relationship between the city and the library system sustains a vital community resource.

Troy Webber, owner of Chesterfield Auto Parts, holds a used catalytic converter that was removed from one of the cars at his salvage yard Friday Dec. 17, 2021, in Richmond, Va. Thefts of the emission control devices have jumped over the last two years as prices for the precious metals they contain have skyrocketed. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Opinion

Editorial: Catalytic converters thefts call for tighter rules

A bill in the state Senate would require better tracking of sales to discourage theft of the car…

Supporters march Wednesday afternoon across from Providence Medical Center in Everett on May 5, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Opinion

Editorial: Nurses, health care workers need better support

Setting staffing levels at hospitals, however, may not address a shortage of available nurses.

Jeff Thoreson cheers with his students after his class wins a tug-o-war game on Thursday, June 17, 2021 in Snohomish, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Opinion

Editorial: School levies an investment in kids, communities

Voters in several county school districts are asked to approve levies in a Feb. 8 special election.

FILE - In this file photo taken Jan. 6, 2021 at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash., two men stand armed with guns in front of the Governor's Mansion during a protest supporting President Donald Trump and against the counting of electoral votes in Washington, DC, affirming President-elect Joe Biden's victory. The open carry of guns and other weapons would be banned on the Washington state Capitol campus and at or near any public demonstration across Washington under a measure that received a remote public hearing Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021 by the Senate Law and Justice Committee. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Opinion

Editorial: Protect ballots, meetings from armed intimidation

Two proposed state laws would bar firearms possession at election offices and public meetings.

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Opinion

Editorial: Keep ‘Mockingbird’ on Mukilteo ninth-graders’ list

Concerns about the 1960 novel are legitimate, but allow students to learn from those criticisms.

With long-term care insurance, It's important to look at how the benefits are structured. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Opinion

Editorial: Fix WA Cares and let it resume its important work

The long-term care program needs modest changes to fairly provide a valuable benefit to seniors.

FILE - Elementary school teacher Carrie Landheer protests for stronger COVID-19 safety protocols outside Oakland Unified School District headquarters on Jan. 7, 2022, in Oakland, Calif. Officials across the U.S. are again weighing how and whether to impose mask mandates as COVID-19 infections soar and the American public grows weary of pandemic-related restrictions. Much of the debate centers around the nation’s schools, some of which closed due to infection-related staffing issues. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File)

Opinion

Editorial: Keep guard up against covid’s omicron variant

As much as half of the county could be infected by the variant; and hospitalizations are surging.

Gary Holt, who reads bills being considered in the Washington House, wears a mask as he sits behind a plexiglass shield with reflections of state representatives meeting remotely on it, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia Wash. The House was considering a proposed new tax in Washington state on capital gains that would be imposed on the sale of stocks and bonds in excess of $250,000. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Opinion

Editorial: Add your voice to Legislature’s 60-day session

It’ll go quickly, but state lawmakers’ packed agenda includes transportation, policing and the budget.

FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash., two men stand armed with guns in front of the Governor's Mansion during a protest supporting President Donald Trump and against the counting of electoral votes in Washington, DC, affirming President-elect Joe Biden's victory. The open carry of guns and other weapons would be banned on the Capitol campus and at or near any permitted public demonstration across Washington under a measure being considered by Washington lawmakers. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Opinion

Editorial: Proposed law against election lies the wrong tool

Gov. Inslee’s concern over election falsehoods is well-founded but his remedy is the wrong approach.

Lightning Powers, 8, splashes as he comes up for air while swimming in the South Fork Stillaguamish River on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021 in Arlington, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Opinion

Editorial: Help tell Tales of Two Rivers and their importance

Residents of the Stillaguamish and Snohomish river basins are asked to tell their stories on video.

Internet access in remote zone, power of technology concept. Road sign with wifi signal icon on rural environment, includes copy space.

Opinion

Editorial: Too few have internet access; that’s set to change

Federal and state infrastructure funding will improve access to a utility as basic as electricity.

New year's holiday concept

Opinion

Editorial: Make a resolution that brings a more perfect union

Too many are dissatisfied with our government and mistrustful of fellow citizens. Let’s change that.

toon

Opinion

Editorial: A look back at 2021 though an editorial lens

A year of consequential news prompted these opinions from The Herald Editorial Board.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee walks past "4 Corners," an artwork by Carl Chew, before speaking, Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, at a news conference in Olympia, Wash. Inslee announced several climate-related proposals for the 2022 legislative session, including a plan to offer rebates on the purchase of new and used electric vehicles for qualified buyers. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Opinion

Editorial: Keep state’s transportation needs in sight

Lawmakers must adopt a package of maintenance and projects that can sustain the state’s economy.

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2021, file photo, Ann Enderle R.N. checks on a COVID-19 patient in the Medical Intensive care unit (MICU) at St. Luke's Boise Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. Idaho public health leaders have activated "crisis standards of care" for the state's northern hospitals because there are more coronavirus patients than the institutions can handle. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare made the announcement Tuesday, Sept. 7. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, File)

Opinion

Editorial: Covid recedes in hospitals, exposing other worries

Hospitals, including Everett’s Providence, point to problems with transfers, staffing and burnout.

First lady Jill Biden, left, is given a tour of a Growler aircraft by Naval Aviator Lt. Cate Oakley, Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, Wash. (Ken Lambert /The Seattle Times via AP, Pool)

Opinion

Editorial: Renewed shot to resolve dispute over Growler jets

A lawsuit ruling regarding increased flights at the Whidbey Navy base offers a window for talks.