Remember the good old days when our ineffective Legislature had the luxury of spending three extra sessions grappling with our state’s paralyzed transportation problems — and still coming up empty-handed?
Ah, the memories.
That was before Sept. 11. Before the airline industry suffered a crippling blow and Boeing announced 20,000 to 30,000 layoffs. Before numerous executives, including our governor, announced spending and job cuts. Before Wall Street’s daily struggles became top news for people who’ve never invested a dime.
We’re just a few months away from the start of the 2002 session, but it’s not too soon to issue a warning to returning legislators and potential new ones. Last year’s partisan antics won’t be tolerated this time around. We had big problems before Sept. 11 but we’re in real trouble now. And we can’t afford bickering and inaction.
Transportation solutions are still critical for Western Washington and legislators aren’t off the hook. In fact, they’ll have to juggle many problems: unemployment from Boeing layoffs and other companies, public safety, taxes (both proposed taxes and the effects of certain initiatives if they pass), health care and mental health issues. And that’s the short list.
People are frightened and frustrated by the problems facing our region and the rest of the country. Our representatives will have to prove they can prioritize issues, find solutions and account for how they spend our tax money.
Legislators: come up with solutions or you won’t deserve to go back.
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