Opinion
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 1246
By 
Diversity in America's military
Diversity in the ranks has been the lifeline of our all-volunteer military, but it wasn’t always that way. As we celebrate Veterans Day, we ought to be thankful for all of the men... — Updated 11/19/2020
Negative impact of high minimum wage
Washington has one of the highest minimum wage levels in the U.S. For workers who have a job this sounds like a great deal, but as with all things the government mandates, there are some serious, negative consequences, primarily... — Updated 11/19/2020
Robust remote testimony to look forward to in 2021
There’s no other way to say, 2020 has been just an awful year. It is difficult to believe anything good can come from this mess but I’m really excited to see that one silver... — Updated 11/19/2020
Our View: All-mail election needs immediacy
All-mail election needs immediacy. If we can’t provide it, maybe we should return to polling place voting Over the last few months, all eyes have been on Washington’s 16-year-old vote-by-mail system. National media has been... — Updated 11/16/2020
Those we honor celebrating Veteran's Day
Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, began the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month 1919 when the treaty was signed to end World War I. It honored those who had survived the war to end all wars. By 1954... — Updated 11/16/2020
All-mail election needs immediacy
If we can provide it, maybe we should return to polling place voting Over the last few months, all eyes have been on Washington’s 16-year-old vote-by-mail system. National media has been holding it up as an example of what... — Updated 11/15/2020
Drug price controls: right objective, wrong solution
This month, President Trump signed an executive order to reduce Medicare spending on prescription drugs. For each medication, Medicare will pay no more than the lowest price available in other developed countries. President Trump... — Updated 11/5/2020
President uses rare order to break China's hammerlock 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 11/5/2020
An overview of public school funding
Operating expenditures for Washington’s K-12 public schools have increased almost 92 percent in real terms since 1982, even though student population has increased by only 36... — Updated 11/5/2020
OUR VIEW: 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 10/30/2020
No good 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 10/30/2020
Time for a change in state leadership
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.... — Updated 10/22/2020
National vote-by-mail standards needed to avoid election confusion
I’ve lived in two exclusive vote-by-mail states during my time as an eligible voter. My first ballot ever cast was via the mailbox in Oregon. There the ballots are due in the hand... — Updated 10/22/2020
Letters to the editor: Oct. 15 issue
Every Vote Counts While the primary voter turnout was impressive at 64%, it’s also disturbing because that means over one-third of Lincoln County’s registered voters didn’t bother to take a few moments to exercise one of the... — Updated 10/15/2020
Coronavirus stimulates RV 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... — Updated 10/15/2020
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 10/8/2020
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 10/8/2020
Letters to the editor: Oct. 8 issue
Big Picture Stay out of the weeds. Instead, think big picture. This election is not about Trump or Biden. It’s not about the Republicans or the Democrats. This election is about big picture, ideological movements, agendas and... — Updated 10/8/2020
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 10/5/2020
State revenues continue to grow overall
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 10/5/2020
All churches should be open
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,... — Updated 9/30/2020
Virus compounds 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 9/28/2020
Time again 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 9/22/2020
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 9/15/2020
Better forest management could fix problems
Not only is the world in the grasp of the COVID-19 pandemic, but America’s western wildlands are burning up, as well. California Gov. Gavin Newsom told reporters his state has a... — Updated 9/14/2020
