I’ll hold my nose and vote yes

The opposition makes some good points in their arguments against Referendum 51. The only problem with their arguments is that they are meaningless. The state has grown and will continue to grow and we need roads.

Highway 9 should have been made a four-lane freeway five years ago based on growth patterns and traffic. The “let’s don’t pass new taxes group” never tells us how to get more people from one place to another. Rapid transit, even in best-case scenarios like BART only take about 3 percent of traffic off the highways.

It isn’t good enough to tell people who live in Marysville and work in Issaquah to ride a bike or take a bus. Telling them to move into an area that cost twice as much for a home won’t work either. People live where they can afford a home and they work where they can get a job. Many times the two aren’t in the same area. They need to get from one to the other and that means roads.

As for Los Angeles, Houston and Atlanta, I travel over 40 percent of the time and have done so for the last 10 years. No major city, including the three mentioned, has traffic problems that are as bad as ours.

Finally, my children and the children of others who live here want to be able to stay in the Puget Sound area after they get out of school. For this to happen companies need to expand their facilities and new companies need to be started. None of this will happen without building new roads and highways.

R-51 hurts, but we need it. I’ll hold my nose and vote yes.

Edmonds

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

People walk adjacent to the border with Canada at the Peace Arch in Peace Arch Historical State Park, where cars behind wait to enter Canada at the border crossing Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Blaine, Wash. Canada lifted its prohibition on Americans crossing the border to shop, vacation or visit, but America kept similar restrictions in place, part of a bumpy return to normalcy from coronavirus travel bans. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Editorial: U.S. and Canada better neighbors than housemates

President Trump may be serious about annexing Canada, but it’s a deal fraught with complexities for all.

Schwab: If you’re OK with foreign aid cuts, guess who’s next

At some point, if they haven’t already, Trump’s and Musk’s cuts will hit all but a very elite few.

Poor planning behind Snohomish PUD rate increase

It did not take long in 2025 for the Snohomish Public Utility… Continue reading

Trump’s aid cut will cost U.S. influence

The last time the U.S. pulled back its aid to other countries,… Continue reading

Musk’s financial access is a threat to personal data, payments

Recently Elon Musk along with six young men between 19-24 were able… Continue reading

CNA Nina Prigodich, right, goes through restorative exercises with long term care patient Betty Long, 86, at Nightingale's View Ridge Care Center on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Boost state Medicaid funding for long-term care

With more in need of skilled nursing and assisted-living services, funding must keep up to retain staff.

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.

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.

Comment: Birthright citizenship has helped make America great

Trump’s attempt to end it, almost certainly unconstitutional, won’t fix the nation’s problems at its borders.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, Feb. 13

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

State single-payer health care bill offers many advantages

I was excited to read in Will Geschke’s report (“Everett lawmakers back… 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.