Construction is "essential"

Dear editor:

On March 25 Gov. Jay Inslee decreed that construction is not “essential activity” shutting down residential and commercial building projects, leaving some with unfinished houses.

The order allows construction on government projects, but takes away thousands of private-sector jobs, with builders and contractors forced to cancel orders. Inslee’s mandate kills many trades, hurting families and the economy. Now some construction companies, roofers and others may have no choice but to leave the state to find work.

The construction industry already uses safe protocols, and the private s...