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Opinion / On The Hot Seat


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  • State parks failing at Palouse Falls, Lyons

    Roger Harnack|Updated Jan 31, 2024

    Two years ago, Washington State Parks bureaucrats in Tumwater hatched a plan to address so-called "overcrowding" at Palouse Falls. The plan was to close and relocate the campground to Lyons Ferry, require permits to visit Upper Palouse Falls and to end hiking and exploring in and around the main Palouse Falls basin. The effort also eliminated kayaking access on the upper Palouse River. And to make the effort sound legitimate, those city-dwelling bureaucrats called Palouse...

  • Our state's fireworks law needs updating

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection|Updated Jul 6, 2023

    Like most Americans, I enjoy watching – and lighting – fireworks on Independence Day. America’s “birthday” should stand out among all national holidays. And the colorful, aerial explosions showcase the freedom and independence for which the U.S. stands. But why then do only tribes have the ability to sell and use the “good” fireworks – you know: firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, mortars and more. There’s nothing magical about the imaginary line on a map suggesting...

  • Spend time with dad Sunday

    Roger Harnack|Updated Jun 14, 2023

    From cars to bigfoot to high-speed sprint boats, you don’t have to look very far to find something to do this weekend. But dad won’t care if you take him somewhere or just spend time with him. For dad, Father’s Day isn’t about spending money, it’s about time – time to connect, reflect and enjoy each other’s company. Dads spend a lifetime taking care of the needs of their children. Through their children’s formative years into college, fathers bring structure, discipline, log...

  • Failure to act legalizes drugs

    Roger Harnack|Updated May 19, 2023

    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, R-Ritzville, says he hopes lawmakers will pass a new drug-possession law to fix last year’s so-called “Blake fix.” At issue is a temporary law that expires at the end of next month relating to possession of drugs in Washington. The temporary law was implemented during the 2022 legislative session after...

  • House bill helps level playing field

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    Washington state has high tax rates — gas, property, you name it. Government agencies collect billions of tax dollars annually from residents and businesses here. So why then are government agencies taking Washington taxpayer dollars and buying goods and services out-of-state, goods and services that are readily abundant in Washington? Those agencies are penalizing state taxpayers (residents and businesses) for paying the high taxes the agencies collected under burdensome r...

  • Learn history; don't cancel it

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Sep 13, 2022

    Last week, Fairchild Air Force announced it was erasing Col. George Wright because the history surrounding him is considered by some as divisive. In place of his name being associated with a housing area and street, the military opted for “Lilac Village” and “Willow Loop,” respectively. The move comes two years after Spokane canceled the highly decorated Army leader, as well – Fort George Wright Drive was renamed to Whistalks Way, in recognition of the wife of Spokane tribal w...

  • High court strikes at bureaucratic rule

    Roger Harnack, Franklin Connection|Updated Jul 1, 2022

    "But the Constitution does not authorize agencies to use pen-and-phone regulations as substitutes for laws…" U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil M. Gorsuch wrote that and more in his 19-page concurring opinion in the West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency (Case No. 20-1530). The Supreme Court ruled, 6-3, that the EPA cannot create over-reaching "laws" that bound entire industries; the ruling was released Thursday morning, June 30. The leftwing champions of so-called "...

  • Be proud you're American

    Roger Harnack, Free Press Publishing|Updated Jun 30, 2021

    This Sunday, our nation celebrates Independence Day. And on this 245th birthday of our United States, it's important to take time to remember why we mark July 4. Sure we celebrate the holiday with barbecues and fireworks, parades and apple pie. But that's not what it is about. Independence Day is about freedom from tyranny. It's about being able to own property, speak your mind, worship how you want, gather together, be protected from government corruption and overreach and,...

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