As a young activist, I’m tired of adults failing our planet. WA must embrace the CCA | Opinion

Climate Commitment Act

I have been a youth climate activist since I was 13, which was six years ago. As I tirelessly lobbied, protested, wrote letters and made phone calls I watched the environment deteriorate before everyone’s eyes.

Some are able to turn away, but for youth, it is impossible. We are watching the futures we have dreamed of slip between corporations’ and governments’ enervating fingers.

So many young people have fought not only out of fear but because we know we deserve better. We know it should be the adults, especially those in power, who should be sprinting toward the climate goals we are currently crawling toward.

I urge the government in Washington to accelerate the state’s political action and carry out policies such as the ambitious Climate Commitment Act, efficiently and effectively.

Bridget Mousaw, Longbranch

Impact Aid Program

Budget cuts are ravaging school districts in Pierce County and throughout Washington state. While state legislators recently approved a slight increase in funding, the new funding falls short of addressing inflation and other financial challenges.

With enrollment declining and federal aid shifting, districts are forced to make tough decisions, often resulting in staff layoffs. While budget cuts are seen as the default solution, exploring avenues to increase revenue, such as the overlooked federal Impact Aid Program, is crucial.

Surprisingly, many eligible districts, including some in Pierce County, have neglected to apply for Impact Aid, leaving millions of dollars untapped over the past decade. However, recent advancements in electronic data collection offer a streamlined approach to accessing this vital funding. Parents and guardians should inquire about their district’s plans for Impact Aid surveys, as the deadline for application submission is January 31st each year.

It’s time for districts to seize every opportunity to secure the funding they need to support our children.

Sharon Ramella Gold, Tacoma

Law and order

I am appalled at the negative treatment Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders received for attempting to hire a former law enforcement officer from Pierce County. Folks, we live in a Constitutional Republic and not in a democracy. Go back to sixth-grade Civics.

The three officers were tried in a court of law and found not guilty. Our U.S. Constitution grants everyone trial by jury and all jurors must endorse a guilty verdict to convict. In a democracy, 50% plus one vote is all that’s required to convict.

Sheriff Sanders has every right to hire a prospective deputy, especially if they’re currently qualified, which saves the taxpayers’ training costs. The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office is currently short-staffed.

I grew up in Montana and am now in my mid-80s. Growing up we were told of the vigilante hang ’em high posses in the 1870s. That was “democratic” conviction. Anti-sheriff protest groups operate on that same theory. Someone has been offended, and they’re going to hang ‘em out to dry.

We the people demand law and order through our elected representatives. No group is allowed to set their own standards of lawful behavior.

We all must be respectful of others and obey the laws, whether we like them or not.

Tim Weston, Yelm