In re: your facetious opening line, no one is asking you to “be more partisan and forget about getting things done.” That’s the way they do things in D.C.  We voters, do however, expect our elected officials to support the party that they “preferred” and were pleased to affiliate themselves with during their campaigns.
My personal opinion is that you betrayed the trust of the Democrats who elected you assuming that you would support party values.  We recognize that there are times when Legislators vote in opposition to, or in favor of a particular bill, in spite of party affiliation, but no one ever expects their elected official to effectively “jump ship”. I further believe that your recognition of the “fact” that neither party “had 25  votes needed to govern” is pure balderdash.  I believe what you truly recognized was an opportunity to circumvent the will of the people. It is disturbing to me that any legislator is able to do this with impunity.  As a voter, I feel it is reasonable to assume that when we elect a senate and a house of representatives, the results won’t be changed by individuals who misrepresented their intentions during their campaigns.
Perhaps you believed there was some political advantage to your actions, and perhaps there is. However, you sacrificed your integrity and the trust of your constituents by deciding for the people of your districts and this state which party would hold the majority in the Senate.  That, I would think, is arrogance.  I considered asking you both to think about the consequences of your actions, but as seasoned legislators, I’m sure you considered those consequences very carefully.
 
Andrea Abruzzo, Belfair

Here’s a question we have never heard from a constituent: “Why can’t you be more partisan and divisive and forget about getting things done?”
Believe it or not, the state Democratic Party is saying just that. In a resolution adopted at its recent central committee meeting in Olympia, the state party charged us with not reflecting “Democratic values” and being “disloyal” to the party.
Why? Because in December we openly recognized the fact that neither Democrats nor Republicans in the state Senate possessed the 25 votes needed to effectively govern. We understand that it is the role of political parties to put politics before all else, but as elected officials and leaders, we have a higher responsibility. We have to get things done.
As the two Democratic members of the Senate’s new Majority Coalition Caucus, we find this accusation of “disloyalty” to be small-minded, petty and factually untrue. We have never betrayed our core beliefs, and regardless of what some self-important potentates in Olympia and Seattle pronounce, we are still proud Democrats.
We have served our respective legislative districts for many years now. The people in our local communities know us and know that we are committed to representing them. We work for them, not a political party.
If you look at the choices made by voters in our districts, we are right in line on social issues, taxes, the need for education reform and a responsible budget. The messages our constituents have sent are very clear: Fund and improve our education system, balance the budget without new taxes, and get our families back to work. Appropriately, that has been the focus of our coalition since the 2013 legislative session started in mid-January: jobs, education and the budget.
Exactly what part of encouraging job creation, creating a quality, well-funded education system and producing a sustainable, balanced budget is a betrayal of Democratic values?
We owe it to the people who have repeatedly chosen to send us to the Capitol, and to the people of this state, to represent them and to work effectively with legislators of both parties to solve problems.
When political partisanship flies in the face of what the majority of our constituents want, we side with the people, not the party. Our districts voted overwhelmingly in support of a two-thirds majority requirement to raise taxes. So does siding with the 64 percent of Washingtonians who voted for Initiative 1185 in November upset some of the extreme elements of the party? Perhaps. Will that deter us from doing what we know is right for this state’s hard-working taxpayers? Of course not.
As far as our loyalty is concerned, we are loyal to the principles we have always held and to the constituents who have sent us to Olympia. We are not switching sides. We always have, and always will, be on the side of the people we represent, and side with them over any political party.

by Senators Rodney Tom and Tim Sheldon

Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, is Senate Majority Leader and represents the 48th Legislative District. Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, is Senate President Pro Tempore and has been elected as a Democrat to the Legislature nine times.

Editor;
 
Two of the three Port Commissioners are about to adopt a new Airport Update Plan which includes destroying the fair grounds.  Are We, the People, going to stand for this to happen when the fair grounds land was given to the county by the Miller Family for purpose of fairs back in 1926?
 
Are we going to stand for this when the fair grounds buildings were built by the taxpayers and businesses with donated labor, money, and materials?
 
Are we going to stand for this when the fair grounds are a vital part of our economy and recreational opportunities, bringing tourist to our area whenever an event such as OysterFest, Car and Truck Shows, Entertainment, Garden and Floral Shows, Dog Shows, Horse Shows, Rock and Mineral Show, Rodeos, the County Fair and other events are held?
 
Are we going to stand for this when the fairgrounds have been home to 4-H Youth and FFA youth for over three generations?
 
It has been brought to my attention that the Ports Plan may be in default because the Washington State Open Meeting Act may have been violated.
 
John Dobson, Port Director, is recommending the buildings be destroyed based on a 2010 study by the Hexkix Group out of Seattle, paid for by the Port.  Are we going to stand for this when the Helix Group from Seattle is the same group that was paid to draw up plans for new buildings previous to 2010.  Is this a conflict of interest, or what?  Mason County has Qualified individuals who could determine the structural conditions of these buildings.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
 
Annette S. McGee,
Sheton, WA