Editor’s note: The Courier-Herald normally declines to publish letters from writers who do not live on the Plateau or who doesn’t have a subscription. We made an exception for this letter, because Sen. Fortunato was recently mentioned in previous columns.
Dear Richard,
Thank you for your kind words and your praise for the effectiveness of my strategy to oppose the proposed King County SE airport location in your recent opinion column (“Fortunato may be extreme, but he’s helping us fight against the airport” published Aug. 17). In the same column, you label me extreme, but failed to explain what is extreme about my positions. Later at the “Brewski with a Newsie” event rather than ask me a single relevant question that would have any effect on anyone in the district, you expounded on your own political leanings mixed with national politics and conspiracy theories that have nothing to do with the senate race.
What you may call extreme, the rest of us call common sense. Your political analysis and support for my opponent shows your lack of understanding of the 31st District and the people I represent. They don’t want moderation on taxes. They want “extreme” opposition. They don’t want moderation on Second Amendment protections. They want “extreme” opposition.
Most of the district is pro-life like me. Even the ones that are not don’t support the recently passed extreme pro-abortion bill HB 1851 which removes the requirement for a doctor to perform the procedure and now allows any “health care provider” to do an abortion which could result in a ruptured uterus and even death. The bill also removes criminal liability, leaving the woman with no recourse if something goes wrong. Under HB 1851, Kermit Gosnell, who is currently serving a life sentence for killing three babies who were born alive and the death of a women from his abortion, would be exempt from prosecution in Washington State. The bill also substitutes “pregnant individuals” for “pregnant woman”, like some other individual besides a woman can get pregnant.
You totally ignored the real job of representing the district besides passing legislation, like getting the temporary bridge to keep the Spiketon Bridge open for over two years until it can be replaced and getting both public and private funding for the portable toilets in Greenwater until we can get a permanent rest stop there. By working with the community and Crystal Mountain we saved taxpayers over $300,000 over the WSDOT estimate for two years. Just recently I worked with the city of Milton, a new addition to the district, to get a solution to coordinating a WSDOT fish passage project with a city trail.
In supporting my opponent, you agree with his extreme positions on gun control and radically extreme abortion stance. His demagoguing people concerned about “the culture wars”, including the promotion of critical race theory and their effects on our children, and his constant babbling about how racist Republicans are, is way too extreme for this district.
In closing, I am proud of my efforts in protecting my constituents from the extreme heavy handed state government’s intrusion on our personal lives.
Perhaps you and my opponent would benefit from counseling for people that suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome. Just a suggestion.
Sen. Phil Fortunato
R-31
