Opinion
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 183
Republicans threaten democracy
President Joe Biden is seeking re-election. I wish he were younger and I might favor other Democrats — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and 2020 presidential contenders Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker come to mind. But Biden’s... — Updated 5/19/2023
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Failure to act legalizes drugs
The state Legislature is headed back to Olympia this week for a special session specifically to deal with the prospect of all drugs becoming legal July 1. Sen. Mark Schoesler,... — Updated 5/19/2023
It's That Time of the Year
Some would argue that spring is the most wonderful time of the year in Washington. Throughout our state fruit trees blossom, vibrant tulip fields bloom, and colorful lentils... — Updated 5/19/2023
My parting thoughts from session
Beef Day is the second-best day of the legislative session, next to the last day. Probably the best news about the 2023 legislative session is that we adjourned on time, although th... — Updated 5/19/2023
Carefully weigh energy tradeoffs
President Biden is unwisely “throttling up” plans to ditch carbon fuels unilaterally despite the extreme consequences of doing so. He wants to accelerate replacement of... — Updated 5/19/2023
Public safety failures the legacy of 2023
This session saw some bipartisan successes as lawmakers and citizens were in Olympia together for the first time in nearly three years. That in-person interaction is always key for working relationships and good workable solutions... — Updated 5/19/2023
Impaired driver bills advance
In recent years, drunk and drug-impaired driving has become a greater problem on Washington’s roads and highways. It is a major reason for the alarming increase in accidents and... — Updated 5/19/2023
Lawmakers refrain from raising taxes
A miracle of sorts took place under the Capitol dome on April 23. The state Legislature adjourned its 2023 legislative session without raising taxes. I want to point it out because... — Updated 5/19/2023
Earth Day isn't about politics
On Earth Day this year, I will be planting two trees in a local park. This is not a political act. And yet, there are many who will see it that way because it occurs on a day... — Updated 5/19/2023
Gun measures miss causes
On the Saturday before Easter, the state Senate's majority Democrats passed what they call an "assault weapons ban." In reality, the bill targets several of the most popular sporting and self-defense firearms in the country, includ... — Updated 5/19/2023
State payroll tax to hit businesses this summer
House and Senate budget writers released their 2023-25 state operating budget proposals recently. It was a reminder that taxpayers have been very kind to the state’s coffers as revenue forecasts over the past few years have... — Updated 4/12/2023
Attacking Second Amendment doesn't address core causes of society's violence and lawlessness
On the Saturday before Easter, the state Senate’s majority Democrats passed what they call an “assault weapons ban.” In reality, the bill targets several of the most popular sporting and self-defense firearms in the country,... — Updated 4/12/2023
Employers Struggle to Find Work Balance
Today, employers continue to struggle finding enough workers while attempting to bring people back to the office (work sites). A key problem is there simply aren’t enough people... — Updated 4/12/2023
School Safety Needs Wider Attention
My Mom would be horrified by the rash of violence in our schools today. The most recent tragedy at Covenant School in Nashville where three students and three adults were shot to... — Updated 4/12/2023
Parental rights only sound good
Parents’ Bill of Rights? Sounds OK until you see who supports it and why. House Resolution No. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights, has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Reading the “five pillars of H.R. 5,... — Updated 4/12/2023
State capital gains income tax upheld
Ever since legislative Democrats passed a law (Senate Bill 5096) two years ago creating a capital gains state income tax in Washington, observers on both sides of the political... — Updated 3/31/2023
Good to see president support breaching dams
Nice to see Prez Biden supporting salmon, treaty rights and dam breaching. As you may or may not know, the four Lower Snake River dams were made to be breached as they are half earthen and half concrete. Maybe those who put them... — Updated 3/31/2023
Protect local pharmacies
In small communities across Eastern Washington, the local pharmacy is a business you rely on. Often it is the only outlet for miles around where you can get your prescriptions... — Updated 3/29/2023
Public safety needs more than a step
Law enforcement in our region continue to serve the people with professionalism, dedication and compassion. The brave men and women behind the badge are an integral part of our... — Updated 3/29/2023
LOL at crazy hair-colored women
Who would have ever imagined that a fashion would prevail whereby women would purposely choose to look “not pretty?” I am past 80, no longer pretty and right in style. I just wish the green-, purple- and orange-haired people... — Updated 3/16/2023
Patients should have a right to know
Do patients have a right to know if an insurance plan is going to force them to use a mail-order pharmacy or the insurance-owned mail order system during open enrollment? Do patients have a right to chose who they receive medical... — Updated 3/16/2023
Greenhouse gases raise Earth temp
We all need to understand climate science. Climate fundamentals are simple: Sunshine warms the Earth, and the Earth radiates heat back into space as infrared. Earth’s temperature results from how much radiant heat gets trapped... — Updated 3/16/2023
Proposed mileage tax targets ruralites
The Vehicle Miles Travelled tax, or VMT, is once again raising its ugly head in Olympia in the form of House Bill 1832. It has been rebranded the "Road Usage Charge" (RUC), a more... — Updated 3/6/2023
Fighting for farmers' survival
Too many Puget Sound lawmakers never look beyond their grocery stores to understand the struggle of our farmers to keep those stores supplied. That’s why Sen. Mark Schoesler,... — Updated 3/6/2023
