Opinion
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No reason why a government shutdown should occur, even in a deficit
DURING the last two state budget cycles, Washington lawmakers have come dangerously close to forcing a government shutdown due to failures in the budget process. The current... — Updated 10/27/2020
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 10/27/2020
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... — Updated 10/22/2020
Time for new leadership in Olympia
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 10/22/2020
Coronavirus stimulates recreational vehicle sales and rentals
Interestingly, while restaurants and airlines continue to be clobbered by the coronavirus, recreational vehicle (RV) sales and rentals are taking off. People have switched their travel preferences to minimize their Covid-19... — Updated 10/15/2020
Pro Pool Levy
Here’s why I’m voting for the Park and Pool Rec No. 4 levy. No, we didn’t get to enjoy the swimming pool this past summer: no adult swim, no aerobics, no swimming lessons, and no visitors to Ritzville to share our... — Updated 10/15/2020
Reactionary Policy
Americans, including politicians, wake up and speak up. We are being snowballed, and given a very rough time by Public Health officials, as dictated by extremely over-reactive Federal officials. Yes, COVID-19 is a serious matter,... — Updated 10/15/2020
Parks & Recs Pool Levy
On November 3, 2020, Adams County residents will be given another opportunity to vote for the Ritzville Water Park pool levy, running a second maintenance and operation levy that did not pass in August. It is important for us to... — Updated 10/9/2020
Budget outlook takes another hit with Boeing's 787 announcement
It is official. Boeing will consolidate its 787 manufacturing in South Carolina. This news has many implications for the state including a direct impact on the state’s budget... — Updated 10/9/2020
WDFW looks to create regulation amidst fires
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife already manages about a million acres of publicly owned lands statewide. Now, the agency is trying to use recent wildfires as an excuse to... — Updated 10/9/2020
State revenues growing overall but budget deficit still projected
First the good news. Unlike during the great recession, state revenue is still increasing overall during the COVID pandemic. According to the September revenue forecast:... — Updated 10/1/2020
Send a message with advisory votes
We’re only about three weeks until our ballots arrive in the mail for the Nov. 3 all-mail-in election. So far, the focus has been on the presidential race between Republican... — Updated 10/1/2020
All churches should be open despite the virus
About 800 miles south of my office, the leaders of North Valley Baptist Church in Santa Clara, Calif., are no doubt having conversations about how to move forward. The church, which was mandated to close and remain closed earlier... — Updated 9/24/2020
Coronavirus compounding recycling calamity
What happens in China, doesn’t always stay in China. We learned that a couple of years ago when the Chinese stopped buying massive volumes of the world’s used paper, plastics... — Updated 9/24/2020
Time to revisit forest management
Not only is the world in the grasp of the COVID-19 pandemic, but America’s western wildlands are burning up as well. Gov. Gavin Newsom told reporters California has a dual... — Updated 9/17/2020
Malden/Pine City Fire
“Are you guys ok?” It’s the first thing we say to each other in the Malden/Pine City area these days. Once that question is answered, it is immediately followed by, “Is your house ok?” We lost so much on Labor Day. Our... — Updated 9/17/2020
More calls for a special session
Voices across the state continue to ask the Governor to call a special session to allow lawmakers to balance the budget and address COVID-19 related policies. A special session... — Updated 9/11/2020
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 last week Gov. Jay Inslee bypassed the Legislature... — Updated 9/11/2020
