Rossi ad is false

Recently an advertisement surfaced claiming that Dr. Kim Schrier, who is running for Congress in the 8th Congressional District, supports a state income tax. This ad is false. Schrier is running for Congress, a federal position in which she cannot even vote on state issues like an income tax.

This false narrative is an insult to the voters in the 8th District. It is an insult because it hits at a core value every voter shares, regardless of party: we want our money spent wisely.

At the time this false narrative is being drawn, candidate Dino Rossi supports tax cuts for the 1 percent of Americans. The tax cut last December, and the one snuck through Congress last month, are not a means to ease the financial burdens of the average American, but rather a way to appease the largest GOP donors with the biggest checks.

Rossi’s false ad criticizes Schrier for supporting a “state income tax” that she can’t even vote on while he and his party are irresponsibly giving tax breaks to those who need it least, not folks like you or me. Schrier believes in dismantling income inequality. Amidst the false ads, she’s the real deal.

Remember to vote by Nov. 6, no postage necessary.

Alexandra Johnson

Snoqualmie

Schrier will provide expertise

If you were asked the question “What is the main problem with our economy?” what would you answer? The average working person would probably give one of the following answers: “income inequality”; “crumbling infrastructure”; “the cost of education”; or maybe “more work for less pay.”

Guess how Congressional District 8 candidate Dino Rossi answered the question at the debate at Central Washington University Wednesday night? He answered, “The biggest problem with the economy is that people don’t understand the economy.” Really?

We understand how hard it is to support a family and pay for school. We understand that our pay raises do not keep up with increased costs. We also understand that a person asking for our vote and seeking a job paid for by taxpayers should release his income tax records. If Rossi has investments in insurance or pharmaceutical companies, and these companies are funding his campaign, don’t we have a right to know?

No one understands the economy better than a working mom. Candidate Dr. Kim Schrier has a degree in astrophysics and went to top-notch schools. She could have worked anywhere. Yet she settled in Issaquah to raise her son, attending Little League games and parent teacher conferences at local public schools. She understands that we need to fund schools and roads and provide affordable health care. She has released her tax returns.

Schrier will provide medical expertise to the health care debate, and a working mother’s perspective to the discussion about how to make the economy work for all of us. Just as important, Schrier will provide a much-needed check on those currently in power in Washington, D.C.

We have trusted Dr. Schrier to take care of our children. I trust her to represent our families in Congress. Please vote before Nov. 6.

Deborah Bellam

Snoqualmie

Schrier will protect patients

When you get your ballot, you will literally hold my wife’s life in your hands.

My wife has beaten cancer twice, but if an ominous shadow appears on an X-ray again, she will need health insurance that covers pre-existing conditions. Without insurance, death and bankruptcy are much more likely for our family.

Dr. Kim Schrier is the only Congressional candidate in the 8th District who is committed to health care. Schrier has a pre-existing condition, and empathizes with people who have them. Her commitment to strengthen the Affordable Care Act and her proposal to let us pay to join Medicare are critical to my wife’s safety. Dr. Schrier also has the common sense to advocate Medicare be allowed to negotiate drug prices.

Republicans across the nation advocate repealing the Affordable Care Act and its protections for citizens with pre-existing conditions. In the Voter’s Pamphlet, Rossi doesn’t even mention health care.

My wife has been my partner and best friend for 21 years. I don’t know what I would do without her.

For my wife’s sake, please get that ballot mailed early. Set a schedule, figure out how to decide on the other races, but please be sure to vote.

Frederick Wamsley

Redmond

Do your part to tackle climate change and vote

The Valley Record story “How climate change is changing the Snoqualmie Valley,” published on Oct. 12, 2018, stressed the importance of communities finding solutions to climate change. As it happens, we now have a chance to do exactly that at the polls. Initiative-1631 would place a fee on greenhouse gas emissions, starting at what amounts to 13 cents for a gallon of gas, to incentivize cleaner forms of energy and do our part in tackling climate change.

We would be in good company by putting a price on carbon: British Columbia, California, and nine northeastern states from Maryland to Massachusetts already do the same. In every case, a price on carbon has translated to lower emissions and growing local economies.

Despite this track record, Washington’s airwaves are drenched with warnings that I-1631 will give corporations a free ride while small businesses and families pay billions. But these ads are almost exclusively sponsored by multinational oil companies. Groups that represent working Washingtonians, including the Tenants Union, labor unions and the Latino Community Fund, overwhelmingly support I-1631. And they have good reason: a portion of the carbon revenues will help communities most impacted by pollution.

I’m excited about I-1631 because it enables Washington to lead on climate change when we need it most. But that’s not the only reason to get excited — I-1631 also supports a new clean energy economy, gives opportunities to working communities, and protects clean water and healthy forests for future generations.

It’s an exciting future for Washington — we just have to vote “Yes.”

Alex Rudee

Seattle