Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887

Opinion


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 25 of 1532

  • Shutter paid family medical leave

    Elizabeth New|Updated Dec 3, 2024

    A state audit published Nov. 14 found that more than 2,000 people who tapped a fund that benefits only some workers with up to 18 weeks off work with pay — while harming the paychecks of most other workers, including those with low incomes — violated state law by taking money from the state’s unemployment insurance program at the same time. They had their Paid Family Medical Leave and ate up UI benefits, too. The Employment Security Department, which administers both programs,...

  • Political Cartoon

    Updated Dec 3, 2024

  • Farmers have to file, too

    Pam Lewison|Updated Dec 3, 2024

    At the beginning of this year, most small businesses, including single ownership LLCs, became subject to corporate transparency filing requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act. Under the CTA, businesses subject to the law have until Jan. 1, 2025, to file all the beneficial ownership information for each person who has part ownership of their respective enterprise. This law applies to farms and ranches, too. The law is not new, but the reporting requirement is. The...

  • Political Cartoon

    Updated Nov 25, 2024

  • Legislature should cut bureaucrat wages

    Mark Harmsworth|Updated Nov 25, 2024

    When Jay Inslee took the job as governor in 2013, the state’s annual operating budget was approximately $38.4 billion. After 12 years of the Inslee administration, the state is now spending almost twice as much per year, $75.5 billion. Yet, despite this massive increase in state spending, legislators are claiming that they will need another $10-12 billion over the next 4 years to balance the state’s checkbook. The state does not have a revenue problem, it has a spending proble...

  • Ditch the cellphones, celebrate holiday

    Roger Harnack|Updated Nov 25, 2024

    Ah, Thanksgiving. Turkey, cranberries, pumpkin pie and family. It’s a time to give thanks and celebrate family traditions. But not if you’re glued to a cellphone. As adults, it’s time to set an example and put those devices away. Spend time with your family partaking in longstanding traditions or creating new ones. There’s no need to be spending the day surfing social media. Instead, enjoy real social media with family and friends. Talk together, eat together, enjoy each ot...

  • Political Cartoon

    Updated Nov 18, 2024

  • Civility essential to governing America

    Don Brunell|Updated Nov 18, 2024

    After years of odious political behavior, it is time for elected officials to focus on governing with civility and respect. It is time to go back to acting for the common good. Our country needs leaders, irrespective of party affiliation, to set aside differences and unite. America is weakened by the continual onslaught of character assassinations, false accusations, misinformation and bitterness, which has been pervasive over the last dozen years. We do not know who to trust...

  • Get ready to pay price of I-2117 failure

    Todd Myers|Updated Nov 18, 2024

    The cost of a gallon of fuel may increase by 45 cents per gallon in the wake of the I-2117 failure. The CO2 tax already jumped; it is set at auctions and on private markets when organizations covered by the law purchase allowances covering their emissions. Immediately after voters decided to keep Washington’s tax on CO2 emissions, allowance prices on the private market jumped by more than 10% to about $57 per metric ton of CO2, according to the Carbon dashboard of W...

  • Transparency shouldn't cost more

    Elizabeth New|Updated Nov 12, 2024

    Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is considering a change to the state’s recently adopted premium change transparency rule. A press release from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner says, “The change would be specific to Phase 2 of the rule — the automatic inclusion of reasons for premium increases in policy renewals — and would move the timing of that action from June 2027 to June 2029.” Goodish? The rule applies to auto and home insurance policies. (Insurers...

  • Carnegie Library and Liquid Lit

    Stefani Kanzler|Updated Nov 12, 2024

    Years ago. I stepped into Carnegie Library for a college assignment, expecting a straightforward study of library layouts and materials. But the moment I walked through those doors, I felt a warmth that went beyond the building itself. Cozy, quaint and clearly loved, Carnegie Library felt like a storybook version of what a small-town library should be. Ever since, it's been my picture-perfect vision of a community-centered library, serving Ritzville and its surrounding towns...

  • Hydrogen likely to fuel ag

    Don C. Brunell|Updated Nov 6, 2024

    Washington’s agriculture is a $12.8 billion business with 33,000 farms — and it runs on gasoline, diesel, and natural gas. The hundreds of big rigs hauling crops and food products are not electric. Even though new trucks have reduced CO2 and other pollutants, some politicians are hastily charging ahead to replace fossil-fueled trucks with unproven technology. According to 2021 Environmental Protection Agency data, transportation was responsible for 30 percent of gre...

  • All-or-nada thinking gets ag nothing

    Pam Lewison|Updated Nov 6, 2024

    Were the Seattle legislators who said that farmers could afford to pay the state’s new CO2 tax right after all? A recent report from the Washington State Department of Licensing shows just 6.5 percent of funds set aside for farmers to collect a rebate on fuel taxes assessed by the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) have been accessed. State Senator Joe Nguyen (D-Seattle) mentioned the low number of farmers applying for the rebates recently, highlighting it as evidence that the i...

  • Our advice on ballot measures

    Updated Nov 2, 2024

    Four measures on the Nov. 5 general election could make a difference in your lifestyle and your wallet. Here’s what you need to keep in mind when you cast your ballot: Initiative 2066 This initiative would repeal regulations that attack your ability to use nature gas use dryers, stoves, heating systems and more in your home and business. It would also restrict government agencies from implementing policies and programs that promote the use of electric appliances over natural gas. The measure comes after the so-called ...

  • WREN, a tiny bird with a big song

    Sue Lani Madsen|Updated Oct 28, 2024

    What image comes to mind when you hear “rural Washington?” Fields, farms and forests. Small towns. Flyover country. The frontier. Tribal homelands. Rangelands and desert. Public lands playground. Home. Welcome to the WREN, where rural means all of these. Our goal at the Washington Rural Environmental Network is to bring a diverse chorus of rural voices to the table when public policy discussions impact our rural communities. We want a voice in sharing the development of our homelands. You can follow and support our work at...

  • Vote for those who protect America

    Mary Blechschmidt|Updated Oct 28, 2024

    The 2024 election is the most consequential election in our lifetime. It will, starting with the next 4 years, determine the path America will take nationally and globally. We vote for politicians, who’s agendas are conflicted, and we think/hope they are working in the best interest of the people. Many are not. Nationally, we’ve lost many of our freedoms, privacy and are being overrun with people who are not American and will over time change our culture, values and way of life. Whether you live in the city or county, it is...

  • Send Newhouse to the outhouse

    Updated Oct 26, 2024

    It's my great honor to endorse Jerrod Sessler for the United States Congress. During my time in public life, I have gotten to know and work with many people in or people seeking office. I don't lend my name to candidates or causes that I don't believe in, but when you come across a candidate of Jerrod's caliber it makes that decision easy. This is especially true when we have all gotten to see how far out of touch with his constituent's Jerrod's opponent, Dan Newhouse, has become. Because Dan and his campaign handlers know...

  • Political Cartoon

    Updated Oct 23, 2024

  • Christians need to vote this election

    Patricia Owens|Updated Oct 22, 2024

    I am requesting the attention of all Washingtonians, but especially Christians. Please vote in this year’s election. The issues we face are serious. Transgender ideology has infected our children’s schools. Grocery bills are painfully high. Christian values are being silenced and slandered. My current home, Texas, is being trespassed by violent criminals being allowed into our country daily. And my home state Washington, you too are among the victims — especially women and girls. We should be outraged. But the sad reali...

  • What about our big one?

    Don C. Brunell|Updated Oct 22, 2024

    When President Biden warned FEMA does not have enough money to finish the hurricane season let alone the entire year, it was surprising. Suddenly, we discovered federal disaster relief money may be insufficient for future hurricanes, wildfires, and earthquakes relief. The frequency of major hurricanes and massive wildfires is draining federal accounts, and replacement funds only add to our soaring national debt. That debt is weighing on our ability to operate our national...

  • Blankenship the best choice for county

    Curtis and Erika Hennings|Updated Oct 22, 2024

    We would like to endorse Dan Blankenship to be reelected for the position of Adams County Commissioner District No. 1. He has held numerous leadership positions throughout his career and has used these experiences to be an effective advocate for progress in Adams County. We have known Dan for 40 years and he has always been fiscally responsible and mindful of how the taxpayer’s dollars are used. He has helped bring broadband access to our county and funding for road repairs such as the repaving project for Schoonover Road. W...

  • A vote for Harris is a vote for communism

    Karen Ebel|Updated Oct 22, 2024

    We know President Trump’s four-year track record — no wars, secure borders, energy independence (selling oil instead of buying from our enemies), lowest unemployment in decades, highest employment of black persons, fulfilled promise to bring U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, built up our military, initiated Space Force to help protect America and still fighting for America despite getting shot and a second attempt on his life by Democrat operatives. And that’s only a partial list. We also know Kamala Harris’ track record. As Cali...

  • No doubt CRT is taught in our schools

    Liv Finne|Updated Oct 15, 2024

    Is Critical Race Theory being taught in Washington public schools or not? In 2021, the Legislature passed, and on May 5th that year Gov. Jay Inslee signed, Senate Bill 5044 to require the teaching of “...equity, cultural competency, and dismantling institutional racism in the public school system.” This is the academic description for Critical Race Theory. The bill was implemented through the Washington state learning standards using the “Ethnic Studies Framework.” Academi...

  • County has dynamic leader in Blankenship

    Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers|Updated Oct 15, 2024

    Dan Blankenship is a dynamic leader who has a history of delivering results for the people of Adams County. We first starting working together for our region when he was leading for the Wheat Growers Association. His passion and deep understanding of the issues, including fierce advocacy for securing funding for bridges, roads, and the Adams County jail, have rightfully earned him the trust of Adams County. Together, we secured funding for jail improvements as well as funding for the Booker Road bridge across the East Low...

  • Blankenship an effective commissioner

    Rep. Joe Schmick|Updated Oct 15, 2024

    Please join me in supporting Dan Blankenship for Adams County Commissioner. Working with Commissioner Blankenship since he was elected has been a privilege for me. Commissioner Blankenship is knowledgeable on issues affecting Adams County and has a roll up the sleeves attitude to get things done. Commissioner Blankenship has been effective securing funds for vital needs in the county and is respected by my legislative colleagues. Please join me in my support of Commissioner Blankenship. Rep. Joe Schmick Co...

Page Down