Private partner makes tax wrong

Regarding the Saturday article, “Stevens Hospital is negotiating to join Swedish or Providence medical centers”:

If the leasing by either Swedish or Providence hospitals goes into place I would expect to see my tax support for Stevens Memorial Hospital discontinue. Stevens is a public, tax-supported hospital. It was built to fill the need for a hospital to give emergency care to patients in the Snohomish County area.

I see no reason that tax dollars should support Swedish or Providence. They receive no tax money in the same form as does Stevens. I question the legality of my tax dollars supporting either of these hospitals. Let the lease money received from either hospital cover Stevens’ expenses.

Brooke Townsend
Edmonds

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 Monday, May 12

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

FILE - The sun dial near the Legislative Building is shown under cloudy skies, March 10, 2022, at the state Capitol in Olympia, Wash. An effort to balance what is considered the nation's most regressive state tax code comes before the Washington Supreme Court on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, in a case that could overturn a prohibition on income taxes that dates to the 1930s. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Editorial: What state lawmakers acheived this session

A look at some of the more consequential policy bills adopted by the Legislature in its 105 days.

Comment: To save the church, let’s talk nuns, not just popes

The church can save some parishes if it allows nuns to do the ‘field hospital’ work Pope Francis talked of.

Comment: RFK Jr.’s measles strategy leading U.S. down dark path

As misinformation increases, vaccinations are decreasing, causing a rise in the spread of measles.

Comment: Energy Star a boon to consumers; of course it has to go

In it’s 30-plus years it’s saved consumers $500 billion, cut carbon emissions and actually delivers efficiency.

Comment: We need more air traffic controllers; they need AI tools

As work continues to add controllers, tailored AI assistants could help them make better decisions.

Saunders: Trump’s charm offensive won’t win over Canadians

As long as his tariffs remain in place, being polite to the prime minister won’t impress Canadians.

Can county be trusted with funds to aid homeless?

In response to the the article (“Snohomish County, 7 local governments across… Continue reading

Allow transgender military members to serve country

The Supreme Court has allowed Donald Trump to implement a ban on… Continue reading

Pope Leo XIV, in his first public appearance after he was elected, waves from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, becoming the first pope from the U.S. (Gianni Cipriano/The New York Times)
Comment: Catholicism at a crossroads in new pope’s own nation

Can a U.S.-born pope bring ‘cultural’ Catholics back to the fold and heal divisions in the church?

Liz Skinner, right, and Emma Titterness, both from Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, speak with a man near the Silver Lake Safeway while conducting a point-in-time count Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Everett, Washington. The man, who had slept at that location the previous night, was provided some food and a warming kit after participating in the PIT survey. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: County had no choice but to sue over new grant rules

New Trump administration conditions for homelessness grants could place county in legal jeopardy.

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.