Opinion - Whidbey News-Times

Items lawmakers should include in the 2013-15 budget | Sound off

Governor Inslee has called a 30-day Special Session to begin on May 13th so that lawmakers can complete their unfinished work on the 2013-15 state budget. One of the major sticking points in ongoing budget negotiations is the House’s controversial decision to propose more than $1 billion in job killing tax increases.

Clings would help target spending | Letter

Editor, In reference to the idea that businesses should be able to refuse service to whomever they choose, I’m sorry to say I agree. They should be able to pick to whom they offer their services.

Hang on to those moments as long as you can, parents | Publisher's column

Watching my son play rugby this past weekend, suffering his first loss of an otherwise perfect season, was bittersweet in many ways. Aside from the loss, which took the team out of the state playoffs, it was the culmination of many years of trekking to games all over the state to cheer on my son.

Window clings would help businesses keep away the pesky gays | Publisher's Column

Senate Bill 5927, being co-sponsored by state Sen. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, is seriously flawed. Not so much because it flies in the face of anti-discrimination laws that the majority of society supports and subscribes to, but because it’s just so darn hard sometimes to tell who the gays and lesbians are.

100 deadliest days of summer soon upon us | Sound off

Memorial Day weekend to the end of the Labor Day weekend — roughly 100 days — is found to be the most dangerous stretch of time on our nation’s roads. Long summer days and warm weather mean more folks on the road enjoying graduations, picnics, parties, road trips and vacations. But those good times can come to a crashing end with one bad decision: to drink and drive.

Pollution is a concern in the Puget Sound area | Letter

Editor, Concerning Ian Jefferds’ comment that he is offended because he may be required to prove his commercial shellfish farm in Penn Cove does not result in “adverse environmental impact,” I submit the following.

More Poseidons welcome news for Oak Harbor | Publisher's column

Word that Whidbey Island Naval Air Station will be receiving twice as many P-8A Poseidons than expected comes as music to Oak Harbor’s ears. Instead of the expected 24 planes, the Navy now says 49 are coming. Poseidons are submarine hunting jets manufactured by The Boeing Co. The aircraft are based on the 737-800 airframe and is the Navy’s planned replacement for the aging P-3C Orions turbo-prop planes.

Bailey sponsoring a bill that would take society backwards | Sound off

Last November, Sen. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, was elected to Washington Senate District 10, representing all of Island and parts of Snohomish and Skagit counties. She carried a hair under 53 percent of the vote while ousting long-time Democratic Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen.

Putting contracts to bid regularly is a prudent step | Editorial

Island County commissioners informally agreed this week to seek bids to replace the current public defense contract. With the county and agencies across the nation needing to find ways to pinch pennies, this is a prudent decision.

Looking forward to getting back to market routine | Editorial

‘Tis the season for fresh produce, homemade breads, jams, candles, soaps, artwork and other great things local. Whidbey Island has a bounty of farmers markets to explore and enjoy.