Opinion / Guest Column
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Managed healthcare does not provide better clinical outcomes
It is often argued that managed health care can provide better clinical outcomes while holding down health care costs. Over the years, managed care has taken on many different names including health maintenance organizations,... — Updated 10/25/2021
Holidays highlight food needs for all
Food security is often thought of as a national topic, but food security starts locally. Washington state is part of what the U.S. Department of Agriculture has dubbed the “Fruitful Rim.” Yet, we are also home to numerous... — Updated 10/13/2021
American economics work better when consumers decide winners
Poland and America are like two trains passing each other in opposite directions. That is becoming increasingly clear as President Biden rolls out his progressive agenda. The key question looking forward: “Will government or cons... — Updated 10/7/2021
Infrastructure, jobs act good for agriculture
For the entire year, the Columbia Basin Development League has been pushing to ensure the White House infrastructure plan would include water infrastructure for agriculture. Drinking water infrastructure was a given, but funding... — Updated 9/23/2021
Adding more regulations further burdens Washington farmers
There is an old humorous saying that goes something like, “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” The expression certainly still applies to urban... — Updated 9/23/2021
The impact of September 11 on America
Sept. 11, 2001 – a day that no American who lived to see will ever forget. I was recently asked about where I was that day, and I remember it keenly, deeply. I think it's a question every American has an answer to-a moment engrav... — Updated 9/10/2021
Coronavirus vaccinations showing health, employment improvements
It is not surprising that COVID-19, which ravaged the world, was disastrous for our country’s economy. Millions died from COVID complications; offices, stores and factories closed; and people were forced to quarantine at home.... — Updated 9/9/2021
Hydrogen model could work in-state
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics were billed as the “Hydrogen Olympics” Then along came COVID and sporting events worldwide were put on hold. The summer games were delayed until 2021. Postponing the games cost Japan billions and... — Updated 9/9/2021
Governor's latest announcement on vaccinations
On Monday, the governor announced COVID vaccine mandates for most state employees and health care workers or they could lose their jobs. While employees will be able to apply for... — Updated 8/24/2021
The TRIPS waiver would give away patent and copyright protection
Liberals in Congress are actively campaigning to force price controls on drug manufacturers. The House has already passed bills that would limit the amount of money pharmaceutical... — Updated 8/24/2021
Clearing fuels from forests needed
Massive forest fires in western parts of our country are not only choking us with layers of thick smoke but are leaving behind millions of acres of scorched hillsides, ridges, and... — Updated 8/12/2021
Workers' pay to fund care program
There was some good news recently coming out of a meeting concerning a 2019 law creating a state-run, long-term-care program to be funded through workers’ paychecks starting in January. In case you’re not in the loop, a... — Updated 8/5/2021
Parents voice opposition to CRT taught in schools
Last week, the largest teacher’s union in the country announced that it will conduct opposition research with regard to the growing grassroots campaign to stop Critical Race Theory from being forced on schoolchildren. This very... — Updated 7/21/2021
Fight critical race theory in schools
Last month, South Kitsap School Board member John Berg introduced a resolution to prohibit classroom teaching of theories that promote racial hatred. For that he was called a nut. District officials said they won’t be teaching... — Updated 7/15/2021
Why is college debt so high?
A friend of mine, let’s call her Mary, began college at the University of Washington in 1967 and graduated with an undergraduate degree in 1971. According to the university’s re... — Updated 7/8/2021
Discussing the upcoming congressional vote on the INVEST in America Act
Congress will soon have an opportunity to vote on the INVEST in America Act, a $547 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill from the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, led by Oregon Congressman Peter... — Updated 7/1/2021
Thank goodness for access to remote testimony during legislative session
Washington Policy Center and the League of Women Voters of Washington want to thank the Washington State House and Senate’s bipartisan leadership for the remote testimony processes they established in the challenging legislative... — Updated 6/24/2021
Snake River chinook returns increase 27%
Contrary to recent claims that Snake River Spring Chinook runs are on the path to extinction, returns increased for the second year in a row, continuing the recovery from the... — Updated 6/24/2021
Water has a greenhouse gas problem
In our zest to quickly switch from gas-powered to battery-operated vehicles and to convert our power grid to wind and solar generated electricity, the impacts of CO2 released from... — Updated 6/15/2021
Care program funded by a new payroll tax on workers
“Stay tuned” was one of the biggest takeaways from a meeting last week where members of a state commission discussed the status of a new, long-term-care entitlement program run by the state and funded by a new payroll tax on... — Updated 6/10/2021
Land is the wild card in Biden's green gamble
Shortly after President Biden took office, he issued the sweeping executive order to transition America to TOTAL—-100 percent—-renewable electricity by 2035—-15 short years... — Updated 6/10/2021
L&I's virus passport rules overreach
New COVID workplace restrictions, issued by Washington State Labor and Industries (L&I) late last Friday, May 21st, require employers to check employee vaccine documents before allowing relaxation of social distancing and mask... — Updated 5/27/2021
Unemployment insurance (FUTA) intended as a bridge between jobs
When Congress established the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) in 1935, it was intended to provide temporary and partial income replacement for workers who lost their jobs... — Updated 5/13/2021
Intellectual property rights helped America fight Covid-19
When COVID-19 came ashore, glaring gaps in the government's pandemic preparedness became painfully obvious. Everything from inadequate stockpiles of personal protective equipment to confusing and uncoordinated guidance regarding... — Updated 5/13/2021
Pragmatic approach to prostitution
In 2012, state voters decided to go where no other state ever had — they legalized adult-use marijuana, reversing 70 years of policy that by most measures was a waste of time and money. The prohibition against marijuana... — Updated 4/29/2021
