Government’s 1st priority should be care for our vulnerable

OLYMPIA – The programs funded by our public tax dollars should reflect our core values. “I believe the state has a fundamental responsibility to help and protect our most vulnerable residents,” says Sen. Darlene Fairley, D-Lake Forest Park. For this reason Fairley is sponsor of Senate Bill 6935, the First Priorities Fund.

Currently, lodging taxes support heritage and arts programs as well as paying off stadium bonds. The First Priorities Fund would put money towards care for the vulnerable, including children with development disabilities, the mentally ill and homeless people in King County when those facilities bonds are paid off. In Fairley’s bill the funding stream for arts and heritage programs would continue and they would gain the flexibility they are looking for.

“In the past we’ve developed revenue streams to pay for sports stadiums and convention facilities. Once those obligations are met, I believe we should get the money to people who need it most, the vulnerable among us,” said Fairley. “Other valuable programs will be vying for this revenue. However, I do believe there should be a reality check once the bonds are paid off. We need to take care of our most vulnerable – they need to be our first priority.”

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