Opinion

Raise the B&O

tax exemption

By Carl Gipson

The Business & Occupation (B&O) tax is widely referred to as a draconian tax that particularly punishes new and small businesses. Year after year, legislators try to find…MORE

We have studied this mail in ballot up and down for several days, read all of the letters to the editor, even read all of the news releases with claims and counter-claims. It can be confusing and often because of what the protagonist say as well…MORE

A report of dubious distinction recently ranked Washington 42nd nationally in per student spending.

The "independent" report, commissioned by the Washington Education Association, also proposed steps to raise the state to seventh in the…MORE

Reconnect downtown and waterfront

The March 13 Advisory Ballot is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tear down a 50-year-old wall, reconnect downtown with its waterfront, and show the next generation that we had the courage and foresight…MORE

We are wondering how many candidates are lining up to take over from Seattle Superintendent of Schools Raj Manhas. We wonder because it appears that anyone who takes this job may simply be unable to lift our schools out of the ash heap, no matter…MORE

We have all heard the saying if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Well that is exactly what Congress is planning to do to the new Medicare drug benefit. The House of Representatives just passed House Resolution 4, which says the secretary of Health…MORE

The conversation on women's reproductive rights often goes no further than access to birth control and abortion. Rarely do we think of birth under the banner of reproductive freedom. But it is.

Tax cut plan is proposed

By Paul Guppy

Tax collections continue to soar. In the 30 days from mid-December to mid-January, the state gathered over $1.1 billion from its citizens, representing an increase of $53 million more in tax…MORE

Voting on options for replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct is the biggest waste of time and a million dollars we have seen in a long time. The best that can be said for the exercise is that some giant political egos may become squashed.

The…MORE

Wish your property taxes were lower? Me too. Most of us in Washington, if we've lived in our homes more than a couple of years, have seen the value of our property increase. Housing values continue to rise faster than most things in our lives,…MORE