02-03-2025
Animal welfare policies are too weak. Washington's delegation should fix federal law
Better animal welfare policies mean better lives for animals, communities and consumers. Unfortunately, loopholes and weak enforcement propagate cruelty in commercial breeding, factory farming and the horse slaughter pipeline. Without stronger oversight, inhumane practices will persist and harm animals and the people who care about them.
We need real accountability for commercial breeders, meaningful protections for farm animals, and an end to the unnecessary and cruel slaughter of American horses. Stronger enforcement and smarter policies will protect animals and consumers alike.
I urge my lawmakers, Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell and Emily Randall, to prioritize animal welfare policies this Congress, such as Goldie's Act and the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, and to ensure harmful policies, such as the EATS Act, are not advanced. These policies will create a more responsible and humane system that reflects the values of the American public. Now is the time to take action.
Gerry B. Williams, Tacoma
I recently attended an online Town Hall meeting with Congresswoman Emily Randall and found myself getting a good night's sleep for the first time in a month. Randall was informed, passionate, and exhibited care and concern for her constituents. The folks directing questions to her were also deeply concerned about the past month of chaos and disaster resulting from the actions of President Trump, his crony Elon Musk, and others running amok in our government.
Congresswoman Randall made sure I knew about the Town Hall meeting by texting me to let me know when it would occur and texting again a couple hours before the meeting started. Her efforts to connect with her constituents and her transparency are signs of a true leader.
Shelley Spalding, Tacoma
A brief overview of the Constitution: Article I, Congress approves budget and allocation of monies. Article II, there is one commander in chief, the only elected executive. Article III, legislation can only implement the constitution, not change it.
The Bill of Rights provides limitations on the government, other amendments, and necessary adjustments, mostly civil rights.
The Declaration of Independence mandated we have a moral requirement to construct a government of, by and for the people without tyranny.
When one person controls all three Articles, we have fascism. When each is respected as equal and separate, we have American constitutional representative republic. Not a democracy and not authoritarian fascist.
Elon Musk, like several million bureaucrats and military personnel, answers to the one, singular executive. Just like the local bilingual para-pro, EPA Code Enforcement person and every cabinet secretary, they all answer constitutionally to the President. None are elected; all exercise regulatory responsibilities.
Congress makes a binary choice: fund or don't fund. The courts decide whether someone is stepping over boundaries. The executive administers, including hiring, firing, prioritization of expenditure, evaluation and reasonable repurposing.
If you can't work for Trump, find better work.
Walt Wegener, Toppenish
Washington has a housing crisis. People are living outside in freezing cold weather all across the state. Over twenty thousand Washington households are evicted each year. Nearly half of our state's renters spend 30% or more of their incomes on rent, with far too many as much as 50%. We need more affordable housing and we should work hard to build it, but that's a long-term solution. Many people living on the edge of homelessness need relief right now.
HB 1217/SB 5222 is a statewide 'rent stabilization' bill. This bill sets standards for the amount that a landlord can raise the rent on a tenant, protecting tenants from predatory fees and rent gouging. If passed, this bill will help millions of renter households stay in their homes and provide stability and predictability for renters and landlords alike.
No one should have to choose between paying the rent and being able to heat their home, buy food and gas, or pay for medication or school supplies. Washington needs HB 1217/SB 52222.
Chris Ferguson, Tacoma
