Editorial: Mount St. Helens should be NP; USNPS control would drive local economy
The Nov. 6 election is rapidly approaching, and improving the economy and creating good jobs is on everyone's mind.
Statewide, our economy is in tough shape, and is particularly hard hit in Washington's 3rd Congressional District. According to Washington's Employment Security Department, the district's unemployment rate is nearly two points higher than the state average. In Lewis County, unemployment is over 12 percent. District poverty rates are also troubling, as Lewis and Cowlitz counties are two of the poorest in the state.
Obviously, candidates should consider every idea that can improve our economy. That's why it's particularly troubling that few if any candidates are talking about the underutilized resource at the heart of our district: Mount St. Helens.