Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, speaks during a House floor debate on SB 6346 on Tuesday, March 10, in Olympia.

Peter Abbarno commentary: Children, parents and students lost big in the 2026 legislative session

Every legislative session involves difficult decisions. Lawmakers must balance competing priorities while ensuring the state remains fiscally responsible. But when the 2026 legislative session ended … more

By Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia | 3/18/26

Janice and Allen Erickson are pictured outside Claquato Church in this photo provided to The Chronicle.

Julie McDonald: Janice Erickson discusses Rochester heritage farm and travels in retirement

Editor’s note: This is the third and final installment in a series. Find the previous installments at https://www.chronline.com/opinion/ . During the late 1950s, while attending Western … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 3/16/26

The Cowlitz River runs against the bank of homes off of Slalom Way in Packwood on Thursday, Dec. 11.

Zac Eckstein: The Chehalis Basin has a flood plan — and the Cowlitz Basin needs one

Last December, in the High Valley neighborhood outside Packwood, residents spent the night stacking sandbags and watching the Cowlitz River chew away at the bank behind their homes. A few miles away … more

Commentary by Zac Eckstein | 3/16/26

Commentary: Let’s make Washington state affordable for everyone

Washington families are feeling the squeeze like never before. Whether you’re filling your gas tank, buying groceries, paying rent and utilities, or covering a medical bill, the cost of living in … more

By Rep. David Stuebe | 3/16/26

Dr. Richard J. Stride is the CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride: Love the people around you and be kind more often than necessary

At the end of many of my sermons over the years, I would say something simple to the precious souls listening. I would remind them that when life is over, people will not remember how big your … more

Commentary by Richard Stride | 3/16/26

John Sweeny, left, founded the Napavine Ace Hardware store in 1997. Last year he sold it to a former employee James Cook, center. Greg Moore, right, has built up the live-goods greenhouses with flowers, shrubs, trees, grasses and floral baskets. The new management of the store will have a grand opening on March 21. (Photo: Brian Mittge)

Brian Mittge: Napavine Ace Hardware flowering under new ownership

James Cook was 16 years old when his shop teacher at Napavine High School told him that the local hardware store was looking for help. Cook applied, was hired by owner John Sweeny, and … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 3/13/26

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, works on his computer during the last day of the legislative session on Thursday, March 12, in Olympia.

John Braun: There’s no overstating what Democrats just did to our state

Sadly, we’ve now seen just how much damage 90 people can do to our state in 60 days. The 90 people are Democrats: 59 state representatives, 30 state senators and Gov. Bob Ferguson. The 60 days … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 3/13/26

John Braun, right, represents the 20th Legislative District in the Washington State Senate and serves as the Senate Republican Leader. Michael Baumgartner, left, represents Washington’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He previously chaired the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, and served as Spokane County Treasure

Commentary: How progressives wrecked Washington in under a decade

The Seattle Seahawks just won the Super Bowl. But fans across Washington have returned to a state in trouble. Over the past eight years, Washington has dropped from No. 1 in the nation for … more

By State Sen. John Braun and Congressman Michael Baumgartner | 3/11/26

Wayne Fournier is a Thurston County commissioner and former mayor who has spent more than three decades working in public safety.

Wayne Fournier: When certification meets democracy — who should decide who can be your sheriff?

Who should decide who can serve as your county sheriff: voters or a state board? That question sits at the center of Senate Bill 5974, legislation now awaiting a decision from Gov. Bob Ferguson. … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier | 3/11/26

The House is pictured from the gallery during a House floor debate on SB 6346 on Tuesday, March 10, in Olympia.

Commentary: A democracy worthy of its people

This legislative session has been difficult. I have submitted written testimony, signed in support or opposition to numerous bills, and tried in every way available to make my voice heard. Yet, as we … more

By Jeffrey A. Slotnick | 3/11/26

Peter Abbarno: A state income tax — making history for all the wrong reasons

After more than 24 hours of debate on the House floor, Democrats in the Legislature passed Senate Bill 6346, moving Washington another step toward something voters have rejected again and again: a … more

Commentary by Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis | 3/11/26

Gust Anderson's home at Klaber Hop Yard where he was manager. The horses were tied up to show them off as their retirement approached when the hop yards were cleared out. c. 1934.

Julie McDonald: Janice Erickson recalls an earthquake, making ice cream and meeting icons

After their marriage in March 1933, Pearley Davis, a descendant of Claquato pioneers, and Mabel (Carlson) Duncan moved to Klaber in West Lewis County. They later lived in the former John Roundtree … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 3/9/26

Thurston County commissioner Wayne Fournier speaks about Edward Jones and growth in Tenino during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Hallett, Conklin, Whitworth, Horning Team of Edward Jones at their new location in Tenino on Tuesday, Oct, 14.

Wayne Fournier: In the tunnels beneath the nation's capital

Last week, I spent several days in Washington, D.C., attending the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference. Each year, leaders from counties across the country gather there to discuss … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier | 3/9/26

The Washington state Capitol is pictured from Heritage Park in Olympia on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Commentary: Will businesses really leave? That’s the wrong question

Our recent survey of Washington employers hit a nerve. The results showing that 44% of business leaders are considering moving their personal residence to another state — and the number who are … more

By Kris Johnson / Association of Washington Business | 3/9/26

State Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, speaks during a Legislative Media Day at the Washington state Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Olympia.

John Braun commentary: Another session, another failure by majority to protect children

With a handful of days left in the 2026 legislative session, we still don’t know what will happen with some very controversial bills, such as the proposed income tax. Unfortunately, it’s … more

By Sen. John Braun / R-Centralia | 3/6/26

Sean Swope commentary: If Olympia has money for this, why not help kids live and thrive instead?

I’ve been reading about the proposal in Olympia, Senate Bill 6182, called the “Abortion Savings Program,” and the more I think about it, the more questions it raises. Not just about … more

By Sean Swope | 3/6/26

Commentary: Economic reports show Washington state failing the test

Washington state received troubling news from a recently published economic report. The 2026 Competitiveness Redbook , a study conducted by the Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy, found … more

By Sam Cardwell / Mountain States Policy Center | 3/6/26

Commentary: A 'millionaires’ income tax' is really a tax on construction cash flow

Washington’s proposed income tax (AKA “millionaires’ income tax,” Senate Bill 6346) is being promoted as a measure aimed at the ultra-wealthy. But for many small and mid-sized construction … more

By Jeff Tiegs / Associated General Contractors of Washington | 3/3/26

Photo of Boistfort High School Class 1918-19. Bottom row: Richard Noback, Roy Harris, Hugh Morgan, Alfred Mathews, W.P. Mathews (principal), Otto Hill, Harold Hubbard, Veva Sweany (carpenter), Elizabeth Reynolds Sullivan, Dorothy Anderson, Mary Roundtree Towne. Middle row: George Taylor, Lewis Duncan, Zilpha Duncan Harwood, Marjorie Hutcheson, Helen Roundtree Meyers, Irma Johnson, Bernice Roundtree Livingstone, Mildred Tucker Duncan, Alma Buman, Ruth Smith, Jessie Cook, Katherine Roach Roundtree, Ethel Johnson (teacher) Mary Townsend (teacher). Top row: Walter Roundtree, Paul Hill, Pearley Duncan, Emil Schiminisky, Dorothy Keener, Anna Roach Wasson, G.H. Tucker (superintendent) Emma Kahout, Bernice Sweany Dawley, Gladys Detering Edwards, Ella Buman, Georgia Detering Toporke, Lois Miller Morgan.

Julie McDonald: Claquato family’s heritage and name passed on to descendants

Before Vermont native Lewis Davis settled west of Chehalis, the land known as Claquato — or high prairie — served as a burial ground for the Chehalis Tribe. And for 170 years, the Claquato … more

3/2/26

Cows graze in a field in Doty on Wednesday, July 2.

Maureen Harkcom: Wacky Oregon animal petition must be defeated

It may seem strange to be paying attention to something going on in Oregon, but it is important that we do. It seems our Washington state Legislature likes to play “follow the leader” … more

Commentary by Maureen Harkcom / For The Chronicle | 3/2/26