Time to negotiate

I was privileged to serve in uniform around the globe as an enlisted sailor in the U.S. Navy for 12 years. In the Navy, we achieved great things because we acted as a team and we communicated with each other, even when we disagreed. Unfortunately, state Senate Republicans do not seem to understand these lessons. They need to remember that we are, in the end, all on the same team.

With no budget agreement in sight, there are just over three weeks left until the state government shuts down. In two weeks, many of my colleagues of mine at Eastern State Hospital will start getting layoff notices. These layoffs will significantly harm my colleagues, their families and, most importantly, our patients here at Eastern.

But state Senate Republicans still will not negotiate with their House Democratic counterparts. By refusing to negotiate, they are putting lives at risk.

Please call your state legislators and tell them to do their jobs and to start talking with their House Democratic colleagues. Lives are at stake, and we can’t afford more politics as usual.

Kimberly A. Cogswell

Spokane