Opinion
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 1301
Recognize school board members
One of the many blessings of living in rural, Eastern Washington is working with great people. In this month of recognizing the selfless sacrifice of school board directors, I feel privileged to work for and with 10 of the best who... — Updated 1/24/2023
By 
Schoesler: Address school maintenance
For the fifth straight year, I’ve introduced a bill that aims to help school districts in Washington address their building-maintenance needs. Senate Bill 5403 would allow school... — Updated 1/24/2023
House bill helps level playing field
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... — Updated 1/24/2023
Back in Olympia
By Sen. Mark Schoesler, Rep. Joe Schmick and Rep. Mary Dye We are back at the state Capitol for the 2023 legislative session, which began Jan. 9 and is set to last 105 days, ending... — Updated 1/17/2023
False spring: Maybe not this time
You’ve heard it said in the Pacific Northwest that, during the winter, we see a long stretch of bleak weather followed by a temporary rise in temperatures around mid-January, a ... — Updated 1/17/2023
Poor now?
The legislative session is in full swing, which means a lot of lawmakers are interested in picking winners and losers. Instead of creating equal opportunities, an equality of... — Updated 1/17/2023
More important things
On January 2nd, the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals were playing a big Monday night football game in Cincinnati. Both teams are having a great season and have the... — Updated 1/10/2023
Data Centers Looking to capture heat
Coupled with rapid growth of data centers we rely upon for internet service and information storage is an increased demand for electricity to power millions of computers and cool... — Updated 1/10/2023
Time to change the other Washington
It is time to change the way things are done in our nation’s capital---the “Other Washington!” The year-end Christmas dash to pass a $1.7 trillion spending monstrosity is the... — Updated 1/3/2023
State audit still not followed
The Washington State Auditor has completed a performance audit of the Employment Security Department and has found the agency still has not corrected its systemic performance and... — Updated 1/3/2023
Onward and Upward
As the dawn of a new year approaches, it is important to pause and take stock of ourselves, and of the many mercies and comforts we enjoy. After all, “Gratitude,” Cicero said,... — Updated 12/27/2022
Mental strength before anything else
A strong mind and body are crucial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I learned that while recently completing basic training for the U.S. Army at Fort Sill, Okla. I was never a... — Updated 12/27/2022
Energy: All-of-the-above needed
Looking ahead to 2023 one of the most significant shifts America needs is to return to an “All of the Above” strategy which expands our energy options rather than further... — Updated 12/27/2022
Veterans' Wreaths Spread Across America
The Holiday Season is an especially difficult time for anyone grieving lost loved ones. Evergreen wreaths placed on veterans' graves across America help to ease that pain. More... — Updated 12/20/2022
Expanded Panama Canal Challenges Washington Ports
The $5.4 billion expansion of the Panama Canal is paying off for East Coast and Gulf of Mexico seaports. It is putting pressure on the Pacific Ocean-based terminals to be more... — Updated 12/13/2022
State should simplify some regulations
Former state senator and current state Director of Commerce Lisa Brown rightly describes the difficulties a small business startup faces in Washington. Brown says the state... — Updated 12/13/2022
Beef Cattle Mythbuster
Myth: The mystique of “water belly”. Here’s one that is especially relevant for our youth producers and their animals for the fair. I think most cattle producers who have... — Updated 11/29/2022
Consumers return to stores to shop
Despite higher prices, inflation and safety concerns, more Christmas shoppers are browsing on-line but making in-store purchases. The National Retail Federation reported an... — Updated 11/29/2022
Abortion push built on lies
More than ever, our country is suffering due to moral relativism – the idea that truth itself is relative. This leads to situations where, confronted with the same reality,... — Updated 11/21/2022
President Biden deserves some credit
Give President Biden some credit for mid-term election Democratic successes when most everyone predicted otherwise. Instead of focusing on himself, he quietly avoided states where he’s unpopular and helped Democrats win... — Updated 11/21/2022
You have plenty to be thankful for this holiday
It seems like every time you open a webpage, turn on the TV or listen to the radio, you're bombarded with negativity. We're on the verge of nuclear war. The recession is upon us.... — Updated 11/21/2022
Disappointed Biden and USDA offer beeg grants
I was disappointed to learn President Joe Biden’s USDA is giving out more than $223 million in grants and loans to expand the nation’s slaughter capacity. Instead, the department should have invested these funds into... — Updated 11/16/2022
Don't focus on carbon, manage our forests
Forest health, climate change, and a plan that got almost no input before being announced is at the heart of the "carbon project" announced by the Washington State Department of... — Updated 11/16/2022
President Biden deserves credit for election
Give President Joe Biden some credit for mid-term election Democratic successes when most everyone, including the media, predicted otherwise. Instead of focusing on himself, he quietly avoided states where he’s unpopular and... — Updated 11/16/2022
Remember veterans with more than flag-lowering
Lowering our flags to half-staff is a solemn act that recognizes our fallen heroes, whether they be men and women in our armed forces or police officers killed in the line of duty.... — Updated 11/8/2022
