Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Powerlines above the Columbia River move electricity from the Bonneville Dam to customers across the region in Hood River County, Oregon, on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jordan Gale/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Commentary: Salmon are not to blame for BPA failing to meet its responsibilities

The Bonneville Power Administration, the federal agency that sells Columbia Basin hydropower, is required by law to make decisions that are economically beneficial for its customers. It also must … more

By Nancy Hirsh and Liz Hamilton | 4/10/26

The Washington state Capitol building stands against clear skies in Olympia.

Commentary: Lawsuit filed against the unconstitutional income tax in Washington state

As everyone expected, a lawsuit was filed on April 9, 2026, in Klickitat Superior Court challenging the unconstitutional income tax adopted this year in Washington. The lead attorneys are former … more

By Jason Mercier / Mountain States Policy Center | 4/10/26

Commentary: Two words employers deserve to hear more often — thank you

If you own or operate a business in Washington, I’m curious — when is the last time you have heard the words “thank you?” Small and medium businesses are the cornerstone of our economy, … more

By Kris Johnson, Association of Washington Business | 4/8/26

Ballot envelopes sit in the Thurston County elections center. (Photo by Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard)

Commentary: Why federal efforts to get sensitive voter data face resistance

In May 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice began sending letters to state governments demanding copies of statewide voter registration lists. The request was unprecedented: It demanded not only … more

By John Martin via The Washington State Standard | 4/8/26

Shoppers look for books at the Lewis County AAUW book sale at the Moose Lodge in Centralia.

Julie McDonald: Generosity of community benefits nonprofits and student scholarships

Several dozen people gathered in the Onalaska High School gymnasium on Saturday for Field to Future: A Farm-to-Table Dinner connecting farmers with consumers of their products. “It takes a lot … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 4/6/26

Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton, answers a question from the press following the State of the State address in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Commentary: The high cost of Olympia’s hidden utility tax

Washingtonians are living through a relentless affordability crisis. From the grocery aisle to the gas pump, the cost of living has moved from “concerning” to “unsustainable.” Our … more

By Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton | 4/6/26

Thurston County Commissioner Wayne Fournier speaks during a grand opening for the Agriculture Innovation Park in Tenino on Wednesday, May 28.

Wayne Fournier: How ideas gain momentum — and an example from Tenino

The most important work in government does not happen in speeches or headlines. It happens quietly through relationships, trust and steady follow-through. Progress rarely comes from a single … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier / For The Chronicle | 4/6/26

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

Richard Stride commentary: Planting things we may never see

There’s something humbling about planting a garden. You turn the soil, place something small into the ground, and then … you wait. You don’t control the rain. You don’t rush … more

By Richard Stride | 4/6/26

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 commentary: Tax supporters continue an Olympia trend — stifle the opposition

It seemed strange that the governor’s office waited until late on a Sunday afternoon to publicly announce he would sign the new state income tax the following morning at the Capitol. That’s … more

By Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 4/4/26

Former Centralia Mayor Norm Chapman addresses the crowd for the first time as mayor during a Centralia City Council meeting at Centralia City Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Letter: Former Centralia mayor seeks to clear the air

It is nice to just be Norm, private citizen. I am Norm Chapman, former mayor and city councilmember for Centralia District 1. Before I resigned due to family and some health-related issues, I … more

By Norm Chapman / Former Centralia Mayor | 4/1/26

The Capitol building in Olympia, home to the Senate and House chambers, is lit up on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Commentary: Citizens are fleeing bad policy in Washington — here's the proof

The latest Census migration data tell a clear and consistent story: people are voting with their feet. In King County, Washington’s largest population center and economic hub, domestic … more

By Chris Cargill / Mountain States Policy Center | 3/31/26

Julie McDonald: Popular fiction authors headline Southwest Washington Writers Conference

Kristina McMorris, a former actress and New York Times best-selling author of the popular “Sold on a Monday” and six other historical novels, will keynote the 12th annual Southwest Washington … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald | 3/30/26

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: Income tax gives people another reason to take their money and run

One of the many arguments Republicans made against the new state income tax is that it will lead to more capital flight. People will decide it’s time to flee from our state and take their financial … more

By Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 3/27/26

Letter: Friends of the Library groups address Timberland Library Board of Trustees

Editor’s note: Friends of the Library groups from across the Timberland Regional Library service area have issued a joint letter to the TRL Board of Trustees. The letter comes after the resignation … more

3/27/26

Playquato Dance Hall at Claquato on opening night, July 4, 1938.

Julie McDonald: Playquato exhibit at Lewis County Museum likely to spark memories

Every Saturday night for 35 years in the mid-20th century, people flocked to the Playquato Ballroom three miles west of Chehalis to dance, compete in waltz and jitterbug contests and sometimes meet … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 3/23/26

State Rep. Matt Marshall, R-Eatonville, speaks to other legislators during the 93 day of the legislative session on the House floor of the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

Commentary: Governor must stop economically illiterate income tax before Washingtonians force a reckoning

Washington’s political class pretends it can pile on new taxes without consequence, but the numbers — and the moving vans — tell a different story. A new 9.9% tax on personal income … more

By Rep. Matt Marshall / R-Eatonville | 3/20/26

State Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, speaks at a Let’s Go Washington rally supporting initiatives concerning parental rights and barring transgender athletes from participating in girls’ athletics at the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

John Braun commentary: No matter what income tax backers say, there’s no free lunch

Before the new state income tax passed by Democrats was even proposed as legislation, many of us who oppose such a tax predicted the supporters would engage in a game of bait-and-switch. They’d … more

3/20/26

Gov. Bob Ferguson delivers the State of the State address for the 2026 Legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Commentary: Governor’s ‘Millionaires Tax’ is historic for all the wrong reasons

When the Washington Legislature passed the state’s new “Millionaires Tax,” Gov. Bob Ferguson called it historic. “It’s not too often in this line of work that you have a vote that’s truly … more

Amanda McKinney / Yakima County Commissioner | 3/19/26

Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, speaks during a House floor debate on SB 6346 on Tuesday, March 10, in Olympia.

Jim Walsh commentary: Governor’s bragging over ‘double voting’ bill ignores real election problems

This week, the current governor sent out a press release, bragging about a bill he signed into law that discourages “double voting.” The bill, Senate Bill 6084, is fine — as far as … more

By Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen | 3/19/26

John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.

John McCroskey commentary: They mocked D.A.R.E. — now they give instructions for drug use

Over the past couple of weeks (or months), I’ve read a lot about the conflict between Gather Church and the lawsuit filed against our Lewis County commissioners over efforts to regulate a “harm … more

By John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 3/18/26