Everett, Prop. 1: Reason to be suspicious of no campaign

The City of Everett’s Proposition 1 will raise property taxes to fund programs that have been, or will be, cut due to an ever-increasing budget shortfall. The math is pretty simple: the city has been limited to 1 percent tax increases for a couple of decades since the passage of Tim Eyman’s I-747 and subsequent legislation signed by then Gov. Christine Gregoire, and inflation has been greater than 1 percent the whole time. Whether you think taxes should be raised to keep pace with inflation because you value city services such as parks and libraries, or not, is entirely up to you. However, before you cast your vote you should know that opponents of Prop. 1 are trying to manipulate you.

According to the state Public Disclosure Commission, a group called Keep Everett Affordable has raised $15,000 to distribute biased opinions represented as facts in an attempt to sway your vote. The only financial contributors to this effort appear to be Marty Robinett, Art Skotdal, Jim Langus, and Michael Finch, and because they are wealthy and own quite a bit of property in Everett, Prop. 1 will cost them some coin.

If you sympathize with wealthy, old, white men who think they own the town, because they literally do, or if you support the use of sneaky tactics to manipulate people into unwittingly voting against their own best interests, then reject Prop. 1.

If you wish for a community pool again, better parks, and a thriving library system with hours that fit your schedule, then vote yes on Prop. 1.

Tyler Rourke

Everett

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Saturday, Feb. 8

A sketechy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

bar graph, pie chart and diagrams isolated on white, 3d illustration
Editorial: Don’t let state’s budget numbers intimidate you

With budget discussions starting soon, a new website explains the basics of state’s budget crisis.

Comment: Democracy depends on support of local journalism

A state bill provides funding to support local news outlets through a modest tax on tech businesses.

Comment: Love is intoxicating; romance doesn’t have to be

Navigating sobriety while dating, with Valentine’s Day coming up, is possible and fulfilling.

Comment: State attempt at single-payer health care bound to fail

Other states have tried, but balked when confronted with the immense cost to state taxpayers.

Forum: Requiem for a lost heavyweight: Sports Illustrated

SI, with Time and NatGeo, were a holy trinity for me and my dad. Now, it’s a world of AI clickbait.

Forum: Political leaders should leave trash talk to ballplayers

Verbal intimidation is one thing on the basketball court; it shouldn’t have a place in our politics.

The Buzz: Why, no, we have complete trust in Elon Musk

But whatever he and Trump are doing to the country, could they please wish it into the cornfield?

Curtains act as doors for a handful of classrooms at Glenwood Elementary on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Schools’ building needs point to election reform

Construction funding requests in Arlington and Lake Stevens show need for a change to bond elections.

FILE- In this Nov. 14, 2017, file photo Jaìme Ceja operates a forklift while loading boxes of Red Delicious apples on to a trailer during his shift in an orchard in Tieton, Wash. Cherry and apple growers in Washington state are worried their exports to China will be hurt by a trade war that escalated on Monday when that country raised import duties on a $3 billion list of products. (Shawn Gust/Yakima Herald-Republic via AP, File)
Editorial: Trade war would harm state’s consumers, jobs

Trump’s threat of tariffs to win non-trade concessions complicates talks, says a state trade advocate.

A press operator grabs a Herald newspaper to check over as the papers roll off the press in March 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald file photo)
Editorial: Push back news desert with journalism support

A bill in the state Senate would tax big tech to support a hiring fund for local news outlets.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, Feb. 7

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.