Opinion / Guest Column
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 148
State capital gains income tax upheld
Ever since legislative Democrats passed a law (Senate Bill 5096) two years ago creating a capital gains state income tax in Washington, observers on both sides of the political... — Updated 3/30/2023
Public safety needs more than a step
Law enforcement in our region continue to serve the people with professionalism, dedication and compassion. The brave men and women behind the badge are an integral part of our comm... — Updated 3/23/2023
State must protect local pharmacies
In small communities across Eastern Washington, the local pharmacy is a business you rely on. Often it is the only outlet for miles around where you can get your prescriptions... — Updated 3/23/2023
Proposed tax targets ruralites
The Vehicle Miles Travelled tax, or VMT, is once again raising its ugly head in Olympia in the form of House Bill 1832. It has been rebranded the “Road Usage Charge” (RUC), a mo... — Updated 3/16/2023
Hospital merger bill threatens rural access
As a senator representing rural Washington, I understand the importance of accessible healthcare for all residents, regardless of where they live. Unfortunately, for far too long,... — Updated 3/16/2023
Fighting for farmers' survival
Too many Puget Sound lawmakers never look beyond their grocery stores to understand the struggle of our farmers to keep those stores supplied. That’s why Sen. Mark Schoesler,... — Updated 3/9/2023
Nurse shortage bill considered
Nursing is one of the most noble and trusted professions in our society. Just ask any patient who has made a trip to a hospital or had a doctor’s appointment. Nurses perform many... — Updated 3/2/2023
Improve water quality to save salmon
There are some hard-core Western Washington groups that want you to believe that if we breach Snake River dams, it will boost our state’s salmon population and we can save the... — Updated 3/2/2023
Rural pharmacy rules bad for communities
Growing up on the farm, I heard grandma’s sage advice in just about every situation imaginable. “A trouble shared is a trouble halved.” “This isn’t my first rodeo.... — Updated 2/23/2023
Model forest project in Colville
Who says Congress is so gridlocked that nothing is accomplished? Consider what happened last December when the U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation streamlining regulations... — Updated 2/23/2023
Past time for an energy reality check
If we are to meet our soaring demand for electricity and produce it without coal and natural gas, we must double down on nuclear power. Today, U.S. nuclear plants generated enough... — Updated 2/15/2023
Fix pursuit law, don't study it
A key issue needing legislative action during this year’s session is public safety – and for good reason. In recent years, Washington has seen an alarming increase in crime,... — Updated 2/15/2023
Capital gains tax not 'excise' tax
Last week, the state Supreme Court heard oral arguments concerning the capital gains income tax. I attended the hearing in person. It is unclear when the court will issue its... — Updated 2/9/2023
Time to halt benefits scam
Three years after crooks stole billions in unemployment insurance funds, federal and state officials are scrambling to retrieve the money which was directed to the jobless and plug... — Updated 2/9/2023
Outgoing CEO requests passage of levy
Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center are proud of the care we provide this Community and proud of how the Community supports us. This year has been a tough year for all health care... — Updated 2/2/2023
Public safety is paramount
Various surveys over the last year continue to show public safety is high on the list of concerns for the average Washingtonian. It doesn't matter if it's someone living in... — Updated 2/2/2023
Schoesler: Address school maintainance
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 di... — Updated 1/26/2023
Legislature convenes 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 April 23. After being forced to endure a virtual... — Updated 1/19/2023
Baby bonds proposal a messy proposition
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 1/19/2023
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 1/12/2023
Time to change 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 1/5/2023
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 1/5/2023
Christmas magic alive and well
As a youngster, I looked forward to Christmas. I loved the food, the traditions and especially the presents - what kid doesn't? In high school and college, the luster subsided. As... — Updated 12/23/2022
Veterans' Wreaths 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 12/22/2022
What is protein degradability?
Question: What is meant by the term protein degradability and what does it mean for beef cows? Protein degradability is a term used in ruminant nutrition and therefore applies only... — Updated 12/15/2022