Citizens forced to wait, and for what?

I am so disappointed in the treatment of approximately 60 citizens who took the time and made the effort to go to Olympia on Feb. 5 to voice their opposition at the hearing for House Bill 2686, which would force parents, brothers or sisters, aunts or uncles, even grandparents who care for an adult with disabilities to become union members. The union presented this bill, of course.

When the many people arrived at the hearing, many with disabilities, and some in wheelchairs, the facilitator chose to move the hearing for this bill from the beginning of the hearing session to the very end. Perhaps the union representative influenced her, hoping there would be no time to hear so much opposing testimony.

This group of approximately 60 opponents were made to wait the whole day, and at the time of the hearing, the union representative was allowed full time to voice their support for the bill, and when the time came for opposition testimony, the facilitator cut off the opposition after only a few short words. What a shame!

This bill hurts families who care for a loved one with disabilities. Shame on the system for allowing the facilitator to change the agenda and cut off the opposing testimony. The group of opponents left feeling as though the committee did not value their opinions after their effort to make it to Olympia.

Teri McKeehan