In Our View

Courtesy WA Cares

Editorial: Brief delay in WA Cares could allow needed fixes

The payroll tax should be delayed to allow lawmakers time to adjust the program for long-term care.

 

FILE - In this May 17, 2018, file photo attorneys walk up the steps of the Washington Supreme Court building, the Temple of Justice, in Olympia, Wash. The court on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, unanimously upheld the Washington's tax on big banks aimed at providing essential services and improving the state's regressive tax system. The 1.2% business and occupation surtax, a tax added on top of other taxes — was passed by the Legislature in 2019. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Editorial: Ruling may not be last word on state redistricting

The state Supreme Court accepted the redistricting panel’s work, but limited the scope of its ruling.

 

A Swift bus and an Everett Transit bus travel north on Rucker Avenue on Saturday in Everett. (Sue Misao / The Herald)

Editorial: Help pick a route for Everett’s transit future

A joint study will gather information on whether to combine Everett Transit and Community Transit.

 

Robert J. Sutherland (Washington State House Republicans)

Editorial: State House covid rules won’t exclude GOP lawmakers

A requirement for vaccination only means those unvaccinated will have to attend sessions remotely.

Robert J. Sutherland (Washington State House Republicans)
An artist's rendering shows features planned for the first floor of an expansion of the Imagine Children's Museum. The area will include a representation of the old bicycle tree in Snohomish and an outdoorsy Camp Imagine. (Imagine Children's Museum)

Editorial: GivingTuesday offers chance to build better future

Organizations, such as Imagine Children’s Museum, need our support as we look past the pandemic.

An artist's rendering shows features planned for the first floor of an expansion of the Imagine Children's Museum. The area will include a representation of the old bicycle tree in Snohomish and an outdoorsy Camp Imagine. (Imagine Children's Museum)
School-age lead Emilee Swenson pulls kids around in a wagon at Tomorrow’s Hope child care center on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 in Everett, Washington. A shortage of child care workers prompted HopeWorks, a nonprofit, to expand its job training programs. Typically, the programs help people with little or no work experience find a job. The new job training program is for people interested in becoming child care workers. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Editorial: Everett must make most of pandemic windfall

Using federal funds, the mayor’s office has outlined $20.7M in projects to address covid’s impacts.

School-age lead Emilee Swenson pulls kids around in a wagon at Tomorrow’s Hope child care center on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 in Everett, Washington. A shortage of child care workers prompted HopeWorks, a nonprofit, to expand its job training programs. Typically, the programs help people with little or no work experience find a job. The new job training program is for people interested in becoming child care workers. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Letter from the editor: Our thanks to readers, letter writers

Today, on the day of Thanksgiving, we’re pleased to offer a helping of gratitude from our readers for the people, things and experiences for which… Continue reading

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Editorial: Small Business Saturday a focus for local economy

Shopping locally supports your community’s businesses and employees and offers extraordinary gifts.

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A man crosses the road under stoplights at Casino Road and Evergreen Way on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019 in Everett, Wash. The lights at Casino Road and Evergreen Way are being considered for controversial red-light traffic cameras. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Editorial: Train red-light cameras on problem intersections

The cameras, planned for seven Everett locations, should help prevent costly and deadly accidents.

A man crosses the road under stoplights at Casino Road and Evergreen Way on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019 in Everett, Wash. The lights at Casino Road and Evergreen Way are being considered for controversial red-light traffic cameras. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
This is what viewers of the public meeting held by the Washington State Redistricting Commission saw during most of its five-hour session. (Washington State Redistricting Commission)

Editorial: Finish state’s redistricting work out in the open

With a panel unable to finish on time and in public, the job is left to the state Supreme Court.

This is what viewers of the public meeting held by the Washington State Redistricting Commission saw during most of its five-hour session. (Washington State Redistricting Commission)
Volunteer Kevin Boldt and Jennifer Chapman direct shopping carts full of food outside at the Marysville Community Food Bank on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020 in Marysville, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Editorial: Inflation, pandemic add to needs of food banks

The county’s food banks are seeing increasing demand for help; cash donations help them serve needs.

Volunteer Kevin Boldt and Jennifer Chapman direct shopping carts full of food outside at the Marysville Community Food Bank on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020 in Marysville, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
President Joe Biden speaks before signing the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill into law during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Editorial: Have we at last moved past Infrastructure Week?

Congress and president have their $1.2 trillion plan. What’s yet to come from state lawmakers?

President Joe Biden speaks before signing the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill into law during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Ian Terry / The Herald Brian Henderson, of Renton, plugs in his Kia Soul EV electric vehicle at a charging station in Sultan on Wednesday, June 7. Henderson and a group of fellow electric car drivers made the trip from Everett's City Hall to Spokane's City Hall late last week in an effort to raise awareness about convenient charging locations along U.S. Highway 2. Photo taken on 06072017

Editorial: County jumpstarts its switch to electric vehicles

The budget calls for purchase of EVs for the county’s fleet; serving as an example for others.

Ian Terry / The Herald Brian Henderson, of Renton, plugs in his Kia Soul EV electric vehicle at a charging station in Sultan on Wednesday, June 7. Henderson and a group of fellow electric car drivers made the trip from Everett's City Hall to Spokane's City Hall late last week in an effort to raise awareness about convenient charging locations along U.S. Highway 2. Photo taken on 06072017
state taxes 2020

Editorial: What would you change about state’s tax system?

A legislative work group is considering tax reforms that could result in a more equitable system.

state taxes 2020
Electric Time technician Dan LaMoore adjusts a clock hand on a 1000-lb., 12-foot diameter clock constructed for a resort in Vietnam, Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Medfield, Mass. Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. local time Sunday, March 14, 2021, when clocks are set ahead one hour. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Editorial: It’s past time we ended twice-yearly time shift

Sen. Patty Murray has renewed her call for Congress to permanently adopt daylight saving time.

Electric Time technician Dan LaMoore adjusts a clock hand on a 1000-lb., 12-foot diameter clock constructed for a resort in Vietnam, Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Medfield, Mass. Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. local time Sunday, March 14, 2021, when clocks are set ahead one hour. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Ian Terry / The Herald Westbound cars merge from Highway 204 and 20th Street Southeast onto the trestle during the morning commute on Thursday, March 30 in Lake Stevens. Photo taken on 03302017

Editorial: Transportation spending now will save money later

A backlog of maintenance work and projects already is costing us billions. We just don’t notice it.

Ian Terry / The Herald Westbound cars merge from Highway 204 and 20th Street Southeast onto the trestle during the morning commute on Thursday, March 30 in Lake Stevens. Photo taken on 03302017
Secretary of State Kim Wyman, left, greets Jack Arends, center, a member of Washington's Electoral College, after members cast their votes in Olympia, Wash., Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Editorial: Honor Wyman; make secretary of state nonpartisan

The state’s top election official is leaving for a federal post. Here’s how to continue her good work.

Secretary of State Kim Wyman, left, greets Jack Arends, center, a member of Washington's Electoral College, after members cast their votes in Olympia, Wash., Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
This October 2021 photo provided by Pfizer shows kid-size doses of its COVID-19 vaccine in Puurs, Belgium. The vaccine appear safe and nearly 91% effective at preventing symptomatic infections in 5- to 11-year-olds, according to study details released Friday, Oct. 22, as the U.S. considers opening vaccinations to that age group. (Pfizer via AP)

Editorial: Parent’s vaccination right carries responsibility

Doubts and questions about a covid vaccine for kids should now be directed to the family doctor.

This October 2021 photo provided by Pfizer shows kid-size doses of its COVID-19 vaccine in Puurs, Belgium. The vaccine appear safe and nearly 91% effective at preventing symptomatic infections in 5- to 11-year-olds, according to study details released Friday, Oct. 22, as the U.S. considers opening vaccinations to that age group. (Pfizer via AP)
FILE — In this Sept. 17, 2020 file photo, provided by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Chelbee Rosenkrance, of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, holds a male sockeye salmon at the Eagle Fish Hatchery in Eagle, Idaho. Wildlife officials said Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, that an emergency trap-and-truck operation of Idaho-bound endangered sockeye salmon, due to high water temperatures in the Snake and Salomon rivers, netted enough fish at the Granite Dam in eastern Washington, last month, to sustain an elaborate hatchery program. (Travis Brown/Idaho Department of Fish and Game via AP, File)

Editorial: Removing Snake River dams could aid fish, economy

Resumed talks may bring a final answer to assessing the balance of what the dams provide and cost.

FILE — In this Sept. 17, 2020 file photo, provided by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Chelbee Rosenkrance, of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, holds a male sockeye salmon at the Eagle Fish Hatchery in Eagle, Idaho. Wildlife officials said Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, that an emergency trap-and-truck operation of Idaho-bound endangered sockeye salmon, due to high water temperatures in the Snake and Salomon rivers, netted enough fish at the Granite Dam in eastern Washington, last month, to sustain an elaborate hatchery program. (Travis Brown/Idaho Department of Fish and Game via AP, File)
FILE - In this Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 file photo, a nurse loads a syringe with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Jackson, Miss. Millions of Americans are now eligible to receive a Pfizer booster shot to help increase their protection against the worst effects of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Editorial: Keep covid politics out of city’s plea for police

A Mill Creek city official’s call for police applicants was more about anti-vax politics than jobs.

FILE - In this Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 file photo, a nurse loads a syringe with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Jackson, Miss. Millions of Americans are now eligible to receive a Pfizer booster shot to help increase their protection against the worst effects of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)