Re: “ ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ is likely to raise costs of energy in Washington” (Aug. 10, A1):
Thanks to Conrad Swanson for his excellent article on the impact of Trump’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” on energy prices. Rising energy costs are troubling — but cutting tax credits for wind and solar also threatens energy availability at a time when hydroelectric supply is shrinking (due to climate change) and demand is growing.
What struck me even more is how Washington’s two GOP representatives, Dan Newhouse and Mike Baumgartner, voted for Trump’s OBBB, effectively sabotaging their own districts. Their “yes” votes undercut local tax revenues, jeopardized jobs and undermined lease agreements with wind and solar developers — all while supporting deep Medicaid cuts that may push 14 rural Washington hospitals to the brink of collapse, if not closure.
The human cost is staggering. In Rep. Baumgartner’s 5th District, 30% of residents overall and more than half (54%) of children depend on Medicaid. In Rep. Newhouse’s 4th District, the figures are even worse, 38% of residents rely on Medicaid, including 70% of children.
Why would any public servant vote against the economic health, medical care and energy future of their own constituents? Reps. Baumgartner and Newhouse owe their voters an answer.
Mark Rohde, Snohomish
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
