Lowering the legal blood alcohol limit for WA drivers will backfire. Here’s why | Opinion

Say “No” to new drunk driving bill

Washington residents should unilaterally oppose the “dry” Senate Bill 5002 which criminalized law-abiding residents who have a blood alcohol level of .05%.

The only state in the nation to consider such a Victorian puritanical proposal is Utah, the very last state we should look to for moral guidance for numerous reasons. There is little or no evidence that people driving with a mere .05% BAC are causing significant injury.

The measure transforms and unjustly vilifies a vast segment of citizens causing no harm as potential criminals and would cause more conflict between police and citizens — increasing the likelihood of racial profiling.

There are few if any objective measures to determine if someone has a BAC of a mere.05%.

SB 5002 goes completely against the thoughts behind other criminal justice reform proposals being considered in Olympia, including a proposed law to decriminalize jaywalking to reduce the disparate racial impact of law enforcement.

The law is not needed as people who are negatively affected by alcohol can still be arrested if they are “under the influence” regardless of their BAC.

If legislators want to save lives, they can increase penalties for repeat offenders, not attempt to baselessly criminalize those who have had a glass of wine after work.

Erik J Bjornson, Tacoma

Say “Yes” to capital gains tax

The Washington State Supreme Court is currently debating whether they should uphold the capital gains tax on the super-rich. I’m a taxpayer and a member of the working class. It’s fundamentally unfair to watch my taxes continue to skyrocket while the rich in Washington don’t pay a fair share of their income toward taxes. As a percentage of my income, I pay more than them, and it keeps getting worse.

This tax is constitutional, and it would raise $500 million a year to help fund education and childcare in our state. It’s the right thing to do to help working families and a step in the right direction toward fixing our upside-down tax code. I hope progressive income taxes are next!

Enrie Marusya, Tacoma

If you read one bill, make it this one

We are entering the new legislative session and there are many interesting bills being proposed. If you haven’t gotten a chance to look at any of them yet, House Bill 1025 is a good place to start.

This bill would allow law enforcement to be tried like any other public servant in the court of law as well as provide victims of police violence and their families legal remedies when an officer has violated their rights. I believe this bill would be very helpful. It would give victims and families a voice where in the past it was hard to have one. It would also send a message to officers: You cannot enforce the law while also believing that you are above it.

Don’t stop at just reading this bill. You can also contact your local representative or senator to get your voice heard. A little advocacy can go a long way

By putting ourselves in the conversation, our legislators will know that we care and that we want change.

AnJolina M. Russell, Kent