Your Nov. 20 editorial “In Our View: Value Pricing? Ha! Good One — We know for whom the tolls would be largely beneficial, hence our mistrust” caused me to both feel pain as well as chuckle. The pain is for those who must travel on I-5 and I-205 daily. The chuckle is for what the state of Washington is giving the residents of Oregon.
First, they shop in our state tax-free, denying us millions of dollars in income used to support facilities and infrastructure that Oregonians use. Second, Oregon residents are allowed to attend Clark College by paying Washington resident tuition — a 25 to 30 percent savings to them.
Now, Oregon wants to charge us for using their roads. I understand, in part, their reasoning. We give and give without receiving anything in return. Why should Oregon not think that, since we can afford these giveaways, we can obviously afford more.
Washington residents working in Oregon pay Oregon income tax. Fair? I think not. I understand that the sales tax giveaway was initiated by Clark County-elected state representatives to Olympia. I don’t understand the tuition giveaway. With the budget issues we have, such as education, it’s time to put an end to this and collect what is due us.
