40° F
Clear
Observed from
Olympia
Log in
Commentary
Sort by: Featured Most recent
181 results total, viewing 1 - 20
Sen. John Braun of Centralia serves the 20th Legislative District, which spans parts of four counties from Yelm to Vancouver. He became Senate Republican leader in 2020.
John Braun: ‘Make the wealthy pay,’ Democrats say — while they come for your money
For weeks, the Legislature’s majority Democrats have been keeping the people of Washington in the dark about the new state operating budget. That’s unacceptable, but it would be even … more
|
State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, represents the 20th Legislative District and is the House Republican Caucus chair.
Peter Abbarno: Why transparency matters when everything is on the line in Olympia
Washington families are facing real and growing challenges. The cost of living in Washington is among the highest in the nation. We pay more for groceries, ranking fourth in the country. Fuel prices … more
|
John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com. 
John McCroskey: Taxing everything in sight must come to an end
As I have aged — less than gracefully — and retired, I have become acutely aware of a couple things; first, how much it costs me to live in a house I have owned for years, and, second, … more
|
Senator John Braun speaks during Cascade Community Healthcare’s 11th annual Legislative and Governmental Forum on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Property tax hike plus rent control could be last straw for affordable housing
Marie, a Mason County resident, ended up with her parents’ home after their passing. To pay the property taxes, she’s already had to take from her retirement and sell her late … more
|
Commentary: Budget savings for Washington cuts health care access for state employees
The Washington state Legislature is poised to make decisions that have serious consequences for access to health care for state employees and everyone living in South Puget Sound. Budget and tax … more
|
State Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia
John Braun: Property tax hike plus rent control could be last straw for affordable housing
Marie, a Mason County resident, ended up with her parents’ home after their passing. To pay the property taxes, she’s already had to take from her retirement and sell her late … more
|
Rep. Peter Abbarno in Olympia from the Capitol on Friday, Feb. 15, 2024.
Washington state families need relief — not more taxes
Washington doesn’t have a budget crisis — it has a priorities crisis. Last week, the House passed an operating budget that relies on more than $15 billion in new and increased taxes. And … more
|
Bad education bills move forward; time to stand up for sanity in schools
Of all the fights in our modern society, all the polarization and division, our schools and classrooms should not be battlegrounds or places where politics permeate. Unfortunately, a slate of bills … more
|
Washington state lawmakers should follow the lead of small businesses
Amelia Cook runs an innovative high-tech manufacturing company in Mount Vernon along with her brother. The products they make at Goodwinds Composites are literally out-of-this-world: They made the … more
|
Sea lions gather in the Lower Columbia.
Jeff Wilson: State must act to protect salmon from sea lion predation
Last month, it was mealtime on the Lower Columbia.  We could hear the excited barking of sea lions across the city of Longview, where I live, as they hauled themselves onto the rocks near … more
|
State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, speaks at a public hearing for House Bill 1719 in the John L. O’Brien Building in Olympia on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Peter Abbarno: Washington state families need relief — not more taxes
Washington doesn’t have a budget crisis — it has a priorities crisis. Last week, the House passed an operating budget that relies on more than $15 billion in new and increased taxes. … more
|
Cherry blossoms are in full bloom at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday, April 2.
Commentary: Washington state lawmakers should follow the lead of small businesses
Amelia Cook runs an innovative high-tech manufacturing company in Mount Vernon along with her brother. The products they make at Goodwinds Composites are literally out-of-this-world: They made the … more
|
Cherry blossoms are in full bloom at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday, April 2.
Brian Mittge: Bad education bills move forward; time to stand up for sanity in schools
Of all the fights in our modern society, all the polarization and division, our schools and classrooms should not be battlegrounds or places where politics permeate. Unfortunately, a slate of … more
|
Sen. John Braun of Centralia serves the 20th Legislative District, which spans parts of four counties from Yelm to Vancouver. He became Senate Republican leader in 2020.
John Braun: Senate Republican budget is the better solution to governor’s concerns
The fourth quarter of this legislative session hasn’t started off well for the state Senate’s majority Democrats. Republicans put a no-new-taxes, no-cuts, sustainable operating … more
|
The Capitol building in Olympia, home to the Senate and House chambers, is lit up on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.
Commentary: While Washington attacks its economic engine, other states are ready to roll out the red carpet
Years of increasing taxes and regulations are leaving Washington state employers facing the dreaded blue screen of death when it comes to their economic outlook. For example, Microsoft President … more
|
Washington state lawmakers propose billions in new tax increases
The theme of the 2025 legislative sessions in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming has been pursuing record tax relief. The odd state out in this important tax relief bonanza, however, has been Washington, … more
|
Peter Abbarno smiles after being named the recipient of the 2024 Chamber Evergreen Award during the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce annual banquet at Centralia College on Friday, Jan. 24.
Peter Abbarno: Late nights, high stakes and the battle to protect
The most important issues I hear about daily from constituents in Southwest Washington and across our state are affordability and crime. Families are struggling with the rising cost of living — … more
|
State Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia
John Braun: The ‘tax madness’ in Olympia, and what you can do to fight it
The operating budgets proposed by majority Democrats are bad for our state, just as we expected. It isn’t only the massive tax increases they want, like the record $21 billion worth of new … more
|
The Washington Capitol building is lit up against the night sky in Olympia on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.
Commentary: Washington state lawmakers propose billions in new tax increases
The theme of the 2025 legislative sessions in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming has been pursuing record tax relief. The odd state out in this important tax relief bonanza, however, has been Washington, … more
|
Commentary: Sunshine Week or ‘secrecy creep’ — corruption flourishes without journalism
Locals and newcomers alike may disagree about how much drizzle and gray skies they want in the Pacific Northwest, but when it comes to how our government works, I think the great majority of us would … more
|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 … 10 | Next »
Currently viewing stories posted within the past 2 years.
For all older stories, please use our advanced search.

© 2025 CT Publishing LLC yelmonline.com
Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions