SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Can we get some local help after you’re done fighting the man?

Mar 6, 2018, 11:35 AM | Updated: 12:06 pm

title-only bill...

Title-only bills will soon be challenged in court. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Nobody likes a bully. Me included. So I applaud Washington state for standing up to the feds and passing the first state-level net neutrality laws in the United States.

RELATED: AG Ferguson has sued Trump, feds 20 times so far

But I do find Olympia’s obsession with sticking it to the other Washington a bit strange. The enthusiasm to jump in front of every train on the national political tracks only amplifies the silence on local issues.

Washington state didn’t hesitate to jump into the fray about the Muslim travel ban. We fired up all the lawyers on that one, then did a highly public victory lap when the court of appeals ruled our way.

Governor Jay Inslee was a one-day cable news star for telling President Trump — to his face — that arming teachers was a bad idea.

Today, Washington once again is planting its legislative flag with the net neutrality thing. Fair enough. Washington is a blue state. Part of the resistance, if you will. I see what you did there.

Washington has problems, too

The reason this hyper-focus on all things national is so strange to me is that it’s nearly impossible to get the governor or the attorney general to talk about, you know, the State of Washington.

As my radio partner likes to point out: stuff is happening here, locally, too. There are issues that desperately need leadership and money to solve.

When’s the last time you heard Jay Inslee say anything about homelessness? What about the opioid crisis? Mental health? Transit? Housing prices? The car tax?

I could go on, but I think you get my point.

So while I’m proud of state politicians standing up to the man, it would be nice if you did your day job first. Shouldn’t the first priority of state government be to address the issues of the state?

Hey fellas, little help here.

sea lions...

Charlie Harger

Harger: I love sea lions. Some of them have to die, or $7 billion in salmon recovery goes in their adorable bellies

I love sea lions. I've put this off for years and I hate saying it, but some sea lions gotta die.

22 minutes ago

amber alert kennewick kidnap...

Frank Sumrall

Amber Alert suspect surrenders after kidnapping 4-year-old daughter in Kennewick

After a week on the run, Amber Alert suspect Matthew Susmilch has surrendered himself to authorities.

52 minutes ago

Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a press conference on the sidelines of the Association...

Associated Press

Rubio says any nuclear agreement the US signs will not lead to nuclear proliferation

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is expected to sign an agreement with Saudi Arabia as early as Wednesday that could potentially provide the kingdom with uranium enrichment capability for its civilian nuclear program. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says any deal signed by the U.S. would not lead to proliferation. The deal — confirmed […]

1 hour ago

missing vulnerable person kent...

Frank Sumrall

Kent police searching for vulnerable adult missing since July 12

The Kent Police Department issued a "missing vulnerable adult" alert after a resident went missing in early July.

2 hours ago

Associated Press

FBI chief hold talks in Cambodia over closer security cooperation to combat online scam crimes

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — FBI Director Kash Patel held talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Wednesday on joint efforts to combat international online scam operations that cheat victims out of billions of dollars each year. A report issued Tuesday by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime estimated that scams caused […]

2 hours ago

Gold-colored Presidential seals are seen on a fireplace in the Oval Office as President Donald Trum...

Associated Press

The Latest: Trump will attend dignified transfer of 4 US service members killed in the Middle East

The United States and Iran exchanged fire across the Middle East on Wednesday, overshadowing diplomatic efforts in Pakistan to salvage an interim ceasefire deal that has collapsed. President Donald Trump plans to attend the dignified transfer of four more service members who were killed in action. Republicans are pushing a Pete Hegseth faced fiery questions […]

2 hours ago

Can we get some local help after you’re done fighting the man?