Must be mindful of families

I was very pleased to see our community’s response to the recent story of the Everett Community College student who is trying to create a bright future for himself while living in a rickety van. The people of Snohomish County came through again and offered to help the young man and other students who find themselves in similar situations. Everyone should have the opportunity to live in a safe, decent, affordable home, and in addition to support from one neighbor to another, our state government plays a role in making that opportunity happen.

As the recession drags on, the needs of families are greater than ever while Washington state has fewer resources to help them. Reading about Gov. Gregoire’s budget proposal, I could not help but think of the working families who are already suffering and who now will have even fewer resources to help them through this tough time. It is the responsibility of our lawmakers to maintain the public structures that ensure that everyone’s basic needs are met.

So many people, like the student featured in the Herald story, are doing everything they can to be responsible for themselves and their families. However, as hard as they work, they would not be getting by at all if it were not for the housing, job protection and other public structures of our state government. I hope that the governor and the Legislature will come to an agreement on a truly balanced budget that accounts for the real needs of Washington families.

June Robinson

Executive Director