Opinion
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Dodging public vote on capital gains shows elitism
This will sound funny anywhere outside Olympia, but there is a question that for years has stumped half the Legislature. If an income tax is so good for the people of the state of Washington, why do they say no every time they are... — Updated 4/1/2021
Keeping America's semiconductor edge
Surprisingly, there is something U.S. Presidents agree upon — America’s economic and national security hinge upon maintaining our technology edge in semiconductors. Those tiny computer chips are the brains of modern... — Updated 4/1/2021
Starter income tax is bad enough, collections rebound
Last week, the Legislature got a terrific piece of news. State tax collections have rebounded despite one of the worst economic situations we’ve ever faced. The latest projection... — Updated 3/26/2021
State operating budget $5 billion in excess
Everybody associates March 17 with St. Patrick's Day, that one holiday in which we are all encouraged to wear green. Around the Capitol last week, March 17 brought a different meani... — Updated 3/26/2021
Bill banning American Indian mascots a complete waste of time
It’s a solution in search of a problem. Lawmakers in Olympia appear to be fast-tracking House Bill 1356, which would ban the use of “racially derogatory or discriminatory... — Updated 3/3/2021
Let's fix unemployment-insurance problems first creating new ones
The meltdown at the state Department of Employment Security ought to teach us a lesson. It's easy for government to create problems, not so easy for the Legislature to come back in... — Updated 2/8/2021
Whitman under fire in Olympia
The culture, heritage and history of Eastern Washington - indeed all of Washington and Oregon history - is under fire again in Olympia. I'm talking about an effort this year in the... — Updated 2/5/2021
U-Haul data shows people are leaving the state in droves
British historian Thomas Macaulay famously said, "The best government is one that desires to make the people happy, and knows how to make them happy." That standard is clearly not... — Updated 1/29/2021
Legislature must take chronically impaired drivers off the roads
As much as we would love to see an end to impaired driving and with it, the need to keep sponsoring DUI legislation, we unfortunately know there is still much work to be done. Last... — Updated 1/29/2021
Gov. Inslee, 'tear down this wall'
Protests are nothing new in Olympia. Each year, thousands of protesters converge on legislative sessions to rally for special causes, object to government activities and generally... — Updated 1/13/2021
Prohibition 2.0
On Dec. 18, 1917, Congress proposed the 18th Amendment, which would later make it illegal to make, buy, sell or drink alcohol. Two years later, after ratification Jan. 16, 1919,... — Updated 12/22/2020
There's still a lot to be thankful for
Yes, Gov. Jay Inslee has issued new orders shutting down your favorite gym and movie theater, and limiting service at your favorite diner or watering hole. Yes, you’re directed to wear a mask when you go in public. And yes,... — Updated 12/6/2020
Robust remote testimony to look forward to in 2021
There’s no other way to say, 2020 has been just an awful year. It is difficult to believe anything good can come from this mess but I’m really excited to see that one silver... — Updated 11/22/2020
All-mail election needs immediacy
If we can provide it, maybe we should return to polling place voting Over the last few months, all eyes have been on Washington’s 16-year-old vote-by-mail system. National media has been holding it up as an example of what... — Updated 11/13/2020
Voters should reject R-90, support Espinoza
Olympia is clearly out of touch with Eastern Washington, and you won’t have to look any further than your ballot to figure that out. In addition to the East versus West gubernatorial battle, you’ll find Referendum 90, pitting... — Updated 10/30/2020
China's stranglehold on critical metals
To the average American, China’s control of the world production, processing technology and stockpile of critical metals is not their concern. However, to our military and high-tech leaders, it is a very big deal. Our government... — Updated 10/22/2020
Our View
If there was any doubt about a need for change in the Governor’s Mansion occupancy, political newcomer Loren Culp swept them away in the only gubernatorial debate two weeks ago. Gov. Jay Inslee, whose been occupying the mansion f... — Updated 10/21/2020
Time for a special legislative session
Last week, the Idaho House of Representatives approved legislation calling for Gov. Brad Little to end his state’s emergency declaration. Shortly thereafter, the Idaho Senate... — Updated 9/2/2020
Inslee funding unnecessary union jobs
Most schools in Washington state will remain closed this fall. Some school districts are tightening their belts in anticipation of the COVID-19 budget cuts that are coming. But... — Updated 9/1/2020
Who is Dr. Raul Garcia?
It was a hot, sunny July 3rd morning. About 50 farmers and ranchers were sitting under a white canopy in Basin City. From a distance, it looked as though the participants were... — Updated 7/31/2020
Is there a state budget cash deficit?
There are two legal options to respond to a state budget deficit: The governor orders across the board budget cuts, or a special session of the Legislature occurs liquidating the... — Updated 7/21/2020
School-return plan should be colorblind
Welcome to the segregated public schools of Washington state. According to the “Reopening Washington Schools 2020 District Planning Guide,” some public school students are more... — Updated 7/20/2020
America is out of control
Perhaps 2020 will be best described in history books as the year a virus from China caused a global pandemic, massive riots erupted across the country, the Black Lives Matter... — Updated 7/8/2020
Masks or homeschool, a parent's choice
Educators nationwide scoff at the idea of homeschooling children. Those in unions, especially those in the Washington Education Association in our state, say parents can't provide... — Updated 6/16/2020
Letters to the Publisher
Franklin Connection posts letters of civic nature relating to area, state and national issues and politics. Letters should be limited to 250 words, and any cited facts should be... — Updated 6/16/2020
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