Serving Franklin County, WA

Articles written by Don Brunell


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  • Milling trees can pay to reduce wildfire risks

    Don Brunell, Columnist|Updated May 19, 2022

    Thinning public woodlands to remove millions of dead trees is a way to generate much-needed cash to reduce wildfire risks, improve forest health, and protect rural homeowners and farms. It is money the U.S. Forest Service and Washington’s Dept. of Natural Resources don’t have because the bulk of their funds are tied up fighting fires. Our state’s wildfire severity has worsened in recent years. The 2020 fire season was particularly destructive. Over 1,250 square miles burne...

  • Unemployment is intended as a bridge

    Don Brunell|Updated May 25, 2021

    When Congress established the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) in 1935, it was intended to provide temporary and partial income replacement for workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. It was supposed to be a "bridge" to a new job and not "in lieu of compensation" to remain jobless. The coronavirus pandemic produced massive layoffs. The resulting economic downturn swelled the ranks of unemployed Americans by more than 14 million - from 6.2 million in...