Dear Friends, Legislators have to be careful about referring to elections in their official communications, like this commentary – but now that the general-election voting is over for this year I’ll make a few observations,... — Updated 11/14/2019

We in Rural America are blessed with the values native to strong, mostly agricultural communities—great respect for the land, community safety and health, good education, spiritual beliefs, and the faith in each other that a... — Updated 11/14/2019

We’ve just finished up our latest election cycle in Washington State. In the City of Ritzville’s mayor’s race, I received approximately 78% of the vote, returning me for a second term. I’m very humbled by your continued... — Updated 11/14/2019

Just before Veterans Day, the last known survivor of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor died at age 98. With the passing of George Hursey of Massachusetts, it closed that chapter of World War II, the world’s most deadly conflict... — Updated 11/14/2019

I have never met a veteran who did not inspire me. From the hundreds of veterans who receive assistance from my office seeking lost medals or help with VA benefits to the veterans and their families I meet at community events and p... — Updated 11/14/2019

Access. It takes just 6 letters to sum up the true reason for a public library to exist. And this isn’t just access to the most recent best seller or the latest action blockbuster, though those play their own integral part in... — Updated 11/14/2019

The U.S. wind industry is booming—expanding from 1.5 gigawatts of cumulative installed capacity in 1998 to 96.4 gigawatts of installed capacity in 2018. At the same time, the cost of these projects continues to go down.... — Updated 11/7/2019

When I talk to farmers in Central Washington and across the country, having access to a stable and legal workforce is often their number one concern. Each year, it becomes harder to hire domestic workers, and farm owners have... — Updated 11/7/2019

To taxpayers, it’s just plain common sense. Elected officials, public employees and supporting boards and agencies cannot use taxpayer resources to campaign for or against a candidate or office or to endorse or oppose any ballot... — Updated 11/7/2019

The days are getting shorter and you can almost feel the snow in the air. It’s easy to see the change in the season as we greet our patrons who are already bundled up in their winter gear! For those who prefer to stay indoors,... — Updated 10/31/2019

Our state’s economy and way of life hinges on low cost and reliable electricity. Since Grand Coulee and Bonneville dams were completed in the early 1940s, Washington has enjoyed both. We are accustomed to flipping a switch and... — Updated 10/31/2019

All of Central Washington’s constituents are special, and I am proud to represent each of them in our nation’s capital. One constituent I am most proud of is General James N. Mattis, decorated four-star general and former U.S.... — Updated 10/31/2019

Amid the myriad of topics and candidates on this year’s general election ballot, voters in our state already have a 20-year tradition when it comes to two measures. Statewide, voters have twice overwhelmingly told lawmakers to... — Updated 10/27/2019

The Washington State Transportation Commission, which has led the effort to study, test and report back to the Legislature on the feasibility of a road-usage charge, agrees the money drivers would pay should be protected for... — Updated 10/24/2019

Imagine tuning into the Sunday morning talk shows and wondering if the politicians and commentators could possibly find something positive to say about one another or the state of affairs in America. Unfortunately, there is a... — Updated 10/24/2019

Washington’s 4th Congressional District is home to two sovereign tribes, the Yakama Nation in the south and the Colville Tribes in the north. I am proud to represent these strong Native communities in Congress, but there is a... — Updated 10/24/2019

As a farmer, former state Director of Agriculture, and now a Congressman representing one of the most flourishing agricultural regions in America, I fully understand how important it is that we reinvest in the water infrastructure... — Updated 10/17/2019

Taxpayers are getting ripped off, everybody knows it, and politicians refuse to fix it. That’s why 352,000 voters signed petitions to get Initiative 976 on the ballot. Taxing a $10,000 vehicle like it’s $25,000 is fraud. I-976... — Updated 10/17/2019

As the Youth Services Librarian it’s always hard to narrow down what to write about when it’s my turn for the Library Corner article, because we do so much with the kids in our community every month! One of my main projects rec... — Updated 10/17/2019

When it comes to state initiatives on the 2019 general election ballot in Washington state, one of the most important decisions voters will have to make is on Initiative 976, the Tim Eyman-sponsored initiative that would, among... — Updated 10/17/2019

Too often, elected officials overlook the cumulative costs of regulations, taxes and fees on taxpayers; however, it comes back to bite them hard when people move, or take matters into their own hands by initiative. Consider what... — Updated 10/10/2019

There has been a lot of buzz around the Snake River dams. In the decades-old argument, anti-dam advocates consistently point out that if the people of the Northwest love salmon, the dams have got to go. The communities I represent... — Updated 10/10/2019

Down here in the East Adams Library District research room we’ve been on a bit of a streak recently, winning grants left and right. We’re happy to toot our own horn because it means adding to our historical record by... — Updated 10/3/2019

Assuming that reducing greenhouse gases are an ongoing challenge, we need government policies and the “political will” to turn our nation’s entreprehenuers and researchers lose to take risks and innovate. We must establish... — Updated 10/3/2019

In light of the proposal that just never seems to go away: introducing grizzly bears in the North Cascades, I invite all constituents of the 4th Congressional District to join me in expressing your opinion about how this will... — Updated 10/3/2019