Letters for Dec. 10, 2023

Brown compiles good team

Oh, my gosh! I picked up the paper Tuesday and my jaw dropped to see the amazing, comprehensive, list of people of great talent and experience that Lisa Brown has brought together to start her administration (“Lisa Brown announces mayoral transition team, opens website to community feedback,” Dec. 5). It is truly inspiring to realize her openness to listening to people of varied expertise, and to realize the wisdom that will be on the table. Thank you to all the voters who made this possible. Let’s wish them Godspeed and good luck!

Roz Luther

Spokane

Rep. Newhouse ignores facts

Dishonesty creates problems. In politics, it means we elect only those who parrot our sentiments rather than those who level with us. Dan Newhouse has shown capacity for integrity, so it’s discouraging to see him bring home the disinformation promoted by the radical elements in Congress.

Newhouse claims that high fuel prices are caused by Biden suspending new leases for oil and gas thereby “halting massive domestic energy production nationwide.” Yet the U.S. is now the world’s largest producer of oil and gas, producing almost twice as much the next-largest producer, Saudi Arabia. U.S. oil exports hit an all-time high in 2022. Oil doesn’t move directly from hole to car but is pooled in a global market. Capitalism allows sellers, not politicians, to set prices based on what people are willing to pay.

Newhouse also suggests, “Small businesses need a government that promotes entrepreneurship, not punishes those that have an idea to creatively compete in a market.” Yet the U.S. Census Bureau reported that 5 million new small-business applications were recorded in 2022, and the U.S. set a record in 2021 of 5.4 million. Newhouse must surely favor Biden’s record on this. He also neglects another huge cost barrier to entrepreneurship: health care. One must forsake it, and bear the risk for the family, to pursue a new business.

These facts are at our fingertips. It’s our duty as good citizens to be certain we get them.

Jeff Bryce

Winthrop, Wash.

Landlords won’t accept this fee

I am a landlord being forced to apply for a business license for properties that I have already set up as LLCs. That apparently doesn’t make a difference. My opinion is that this is double-dipping.

Where does my LLC money go and where do the business license fees go? Are you saying that the money I paid for an attorney to set up my LLCs and the fees the city is requiring are fair?

If you think Spokane has a shortage of rentals, just wait until every landlord has to pay a business license fee yearly and a $15 fee for each rental. You will see landlords selling houses, and then what are you going to do?

I have three rentals; one is up for sale and I’m ready to sell the other two. The city is putting me out of business. I am one of the few who has reasonable rents. Do you think the landlords are going to be happy? Ready for another rent increase, anyone? This is exactly what is going to happen. The landlords have to recoup that money somehow.

This infuriates me! I’m sure I’m not the only one feeling this way. The city cannot tell me that it is going to put these funds to good use. Our roads are pathetic, and the police have their hands tied. Everything is going up and so will rent!

Tracy Parks

Spokane

Ready to compromise on studded tires

I am one of those who uses studded tires in the winter. I am neither evil nor uncaring of the impact they have. I own, though, an older front-wheel drive Honda that simply can’t navigate in the winter months without them. I slide into curbs, spin out at stop signs at 5 miles an hour, or can’t get up unplowed streets to make it all the way to my house. I know this from lived experience.

Instead of forcing me, in retirement, to shell out $35,000 or more for a new vehicle in order to drive safely in the cold weather months, how about charging me, and others like me, an added $5 to $10 a tire when I get the studded ones put on each November.

I am willing to pay for the impact those tires have on local streets and can afford that far more than getting a new car that I otherwise do not need.

Bob Schatz

Spokane