Opinion
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Snake River chinook returns increase 27%
Contrary to recent claims that Snake River Spring Chinook runs are on the path to extinction, returns increased for the second year in a row, continuing the recovery from the recent low point in the population cycle. The Spring... — Updated 6/24/2021
Water has a greenhouse gas problem
In our zest to quickly switch from gas-powered to battery-operated vehicles and to convert our power grid to wind and solar generated electricity, the impacts of CO2 released from... — Updated 6/24/2021
Honoring and thanking fathers this weekend
There’s a lot of talk about endangered species. But the most important endangered species in America, may not be a plant or a wild animal. The most endangered species may... — Updated 6/15/2021
Biden's green gamble, land wild card
Shortly after President Biden took office, he issued the sweeping executive order to transition America to TOTAL–-100 percent–-renewable electricity by 2035–-15 short years... — Updated 6/15/2021
Letters to the Editor
Memorial Day Weekend Were you able to visit the Ritzville Cemetery this week? It's more than impressive, it's spectacular. I've never seen the cemetery look better. I can only imagine the hours the city crew put in mowing,... — Updated 6/8/2021
Care program funded by a new payroll tax on workers
“Stay tuned” was one of the biggest takeaways from a meeting last week where members of a state commission discussed the status of a new, long-term-care entitlement program run by the state and funded by a new payroll tax on... — Updated 6/8/2021
L&I's virus passport rules overreach
New COVID workplace restrictions, issued by Washington State Labor and Industries (L&I) late last Friday, May 21st, require employers to check employee vaccine documents before allowing relaxation of social distancing and mask... — Updated 6/3/2021
Ignoring China's grip on metal production is not an option
China’s growing dominance of critical metals production and its vast stockpiles is setting off global alarms as economies emerge from the punishing COVID pandemic. It is not only... — Updated 6/3/2021
State government is in the way of getting people back to work
Masks are coming off. Most residents wanting a coronavirus vaccination have gotten one. Sports are on and students are back in the classroom. It’s not a coronavirus emergency... — Updated 5/27/2021
Governor issues questionable line-item vetoes, again
We knew it was coming. The moment lawmakers tried to get clever and thought they could gain support for a Low Carbon Fuel Standard (House Bill 1091) and Cap and Trade (Senate Bill 5... — Updated 5/27/2021
Unemployment insurance (FUTA) intended as a bridge between jobs
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... — Updated 5/20/2021
Intellectual property rights helped America fight Covid-19
When COVID-19 came ashore, glaring gaps in the government's pandemic preparedness became painfully obvious. Everything from inadequate stockpiles of personal protective equipment to confusing and uncoordinated guidance regarding... — Updated 5/20/2021
Senator Schoesler warns of higher future gas prices
OLYMPIA – Senator Mark Schoesler (R-Ritzville) summed up the 2021 legislative session with bad news. "This session was very bad for Washington's everyday, hard-working taxpayers," Schoesler said, adding the session "kept... — Updated 5/13/2021
Writer responds to columnist
At first, I was shocked that anyone would compare people hooked on drugs to people who are prostitutes. Anyone with half a brain would not call this a victimless crime. Has he not heard about the sex trafficking? Young people who... — Updated 5/10/2021
Lawmakers wanted an income tax lawsuit – they'll get two
Public records show lawmakers plan to use the capital gains income tax to set up a lawsuit to try to impose a broad-based graduated income tax. They’re going to get not one, but... — Updated 5/4/2021
Pragmatic approach to legalization of prostitution
In 2012, state voters decided to go where no other state ever had — they legalized adult-use marijuana, reversing 70 years of policy that by most measures was a waste of time and money. The prohibition against marijuana... — Updated 4/27/2021
State lawmakers should rethink natural gas bans
Sometimes being first isn’t good. Such is the case with legislation making Washington the only state to ban natural gas in new homes and commercial buildings. Thankfully, the legi... — Updated 4/27/2021
Good news from Hanford scientists
It isn’t often we hear good news from Hanford, but the Deptartment of Energy recently announced nation’s first commercial advanced nuclear power reactor would be developed on... — Updated 4/22/2021
Verge of raising taxes, weakening public safety
The 2021 legislative session, which is scheduled to end April 25, will be remembered for several things – some good, some bad. The candidates for the “bad” column may include a variety of new or increased taxes and fees that... — Updated 4/22/2021
Businesses need liability reform
As communities struggle to emerge from the ravages of COVID-19 and the consequent devastation wrought by widespread economic shut-downs, one structural policy continues to impede... — Updated 4/13/2021
Why is the state Legislature still locked down?
The world is beginning to unfreeze after more than a year of physical and economic lockdowns. Many states have ended mask mandates, citing increasing vaccinations and decreasing... — Updated 4/13/2021
State Democrats can't resist higher spending
The Senate operating budget for 2021-23 was approved on April 1 by a 27-22 vote, with two Democrats joining all Republicans in opposition. It is fitting this plan (Senate Bill... — Updated 4/6/2021
Learn the lessons 2020 taught us
The poor are oppressed by the incompetent. It is a phrase that increasingly rings in my ears as I watch government bureaucracies and politicians provide false hope instead of tangible assistance. The people who pay for these... — Updated 4/6/2021
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 W... — Updated 3/30/2021
