Tacoma’s proposed homeless camping ban is short on answers. Here’s why it won’t work

Homeless camping ban

At a recent Tacoma City Council meeting, council members reviewed John Hines’ proposal to ban homeless camping within 10 blocks of temporary shelters. The idea to offer respite to businesses and homeowners isn’t without merit, but when pressed, Hines had no helpful response about where the homeless individuals displaced by the ban would go.

While there are about 1,300 people in shelters, there are nearly 3,000 on the street. If Hines’ proposed ban is enacted, offenders would also face a fine, which is almost laughable. Several council members and advocates spoke against the proposal.

The question of safety is at the heart of the issue. Not just for the housed, but for the vulnerable unhoused who are being criminalized for being homeless. As advocates see it, the proposal will just result in more despair unless the city can offer an alternative living situation, such as low-barrier areas with lights, toilets and washing stations — and security that prevents drug dealing.

People camp where it’s easy to survive. Without enough shelters, the city will face even more costs. Why not opt for some practical solutions?

Marian Snyder, Tacoma

Congressional stock trading

I urge Senate leadership and Sen. Jeff Merkley that a delay to the vote on a bill to regulate Congressional stock trading is completely unacceptable. After the hard work that has been done this year to put together the bipartisan legislation and a recent commitment by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to have a vote on the bill by the end of this month, Sen. Merkley’s push to delay a vote until after the election puts its passage at risk.

Voters would like to know where their elected officials stand on transparency before the election. The passage of this bill would also increase the confidence that people have in government, which is currently at a very low level. It would also help to get out the vote for Democrats.

I urge my elected officials to let Sen. Chuck Schumer know that your constituents expect a reversal of this decision and a vote on the bill before this month is out.

Patricia Blau, Tacoma

Don’t let abortion distract from real issues

The News Tribune published an op-ed about the Dobbs decision by the Supreme Court earlier this month that was one-sided and focused only on the abortion issue. The court’s decision simply returned the abortion issue to the people and the state. Washington already has a liberal law, so nothing new now would affect us.

Other issues would affect the people here much more. Patty Murray has voted in lockstep with the Biden Administration and what has that done to the people here? Inflation is the highest in 40 years. Anyone who has gone to the grocery store or put gas in their car has seen this firsthand.

This administration (with Patty Murray) is moving us rapidly toward Big Government Socialism, resulting in high inflation created by excessive federal spending, the war on fossil fuels and regulatory policies. It’s also causing record gasoline and fuel costs and a wide open southern border, allowing millions of illegal immigrants to come into our country, some with drugs that are killing Americans. Crime is also rampant across the nation.

If you want continued Big Government Socialism, then Patty Murray is your choice; if you want a return to free market capitalism that made this country the best in the world, then you want Tiffany Smiley.

Joyce Hamrick, University Place