Washington Lieutenant Governor addresses civic health crisis and political divisions

Tri-Cities Wash. — Washington Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck visited the Tri-Cities today. He talked with leaders from Benton and Franklin counties about the Civic Health Project. Action News caught up with Heck at the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments, a voluntary association of local government helping with multi-jurisdictional decision-making and regional planning, among other things.

At a roundtable discussion Tuesday afternoon, Lieutenant Governor Heck says civic health in Washington is not good and tells us a new survey shows nearly one in four has stopped talking to a friend or a family member because of political differences.

Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, says. "It's in trouble. 93% of the public believes that incivility is a serious or very serious problem. 89% of Washingtonians agree or strongly disagree with the following statement. "I'm concerned about the future of our democracy." we're being driven farther and farther apart. It makes it hard to adopt solutions to our problems. It makes it more difficult, frankly to keep our democracy healthy and strong."

Heck says introducing government and civics education at a young age, and training new candidates and elected leaders to work together, are just a few of the ways to start making changes for the better.

The Lieutenant Governor says you can be civil in any setting. "Check themselves if they're engaged in a conversation with somebody with whom they disagree. Try truly to listen, not just to what they're saying, but what might be behind the concern. As I like to say, we don't have to hate each other, just because we disagree." says, Heck.

You can find out more about the civic health project and read the full report from the lieutenant governor's office titled 'Common Ground for the Common Good' here.