Re: “WA cuts funding for homeless encampment removal program” (June 13, Local News):
How incredibly shortsighted and wrong it is to cut the Encampment Resolution Program. We talk about compassion. It is not compassionate to leave people living on the side of the road, not to mention the health and safety issues it poses. During the pandemic, I remember seeing people stumbling out of the bushes as they prepared to cross the freeway.
What in the world was Gov. Bob Ferguson thinking to allow this reduction? But now that he has done this, it is his responsibility to fix it. He should get on the phone and start requesting funding from all the billionaires he doesn’t want to tax and demand they invest in the state where they live and have become wealthy.
This program provides measurable results. Instead of spending millions on yachts and private planes, Washington billionaires should spend it where it makes an immediate and positive impact for the entire community.
Korina Layne-Jones, Seattle
