Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Commentary: Washington state enacts massive tax increases to pay for government pay raises

There was a lot of intrigue in Washington state as citizens and businesses waited to see what Gov. Bob Ferguson would do with the record tax increases lawmakers sent to his desk this year. Despite … more

By Jason Mercier / Mountain States Policy Center | 5/24/25

Chad Taylor is the publisher and co-owner of The Chronicle. He can be reached at chad@chronline.com.

Publisher's Note: On safe parking, let’s be willing to try — even if it’s hard

I’ll be honest. When I first heard about the proposal by Hope Housing Collaborative to let families sleep in cars parked overnight in church parking lots, I had doubts. And I wasn’t … more

Commentary by Chad Taylor / For The Chronicle | 5/23/25

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, stands in the wings of the Senate floor at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

John Braun: The $16 billion lie behind the largest tax increase in state history

When someone makes a statement that simply is not true, I tend to call it that, rather than say it’s a lie. If the state budget shortfall is nowhere near $16 billion, yet someone claims it … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 5/23/25

The American flag flies at half mast during a Memorial Day ceremony at Claquato Cemetery in Chehalis on Monday, May 27.

Brian Mittge: A Memorial Day duty — ‘Earn this’

It’s been many years since I watched the movie “Saving Private Ryan,” but the last scene still sticks with me. The title character leans down to hear the raspy final words of … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 5/23/25

Commentary: Higher total taxes make Washington unaffordable

Too often, elected officials overlook the cumulative costs of regulations, taxes, and fees on taxpayers. However, those added costs come back to bite them hard when people pack up and move, … more

By Don Brunell | 5/21/25

Julie McDonald: Mourning the loss of a dedicated volunteer — Jan Sylvester-Jamerson

I read with sadness late last week about the passing of Jan Sylvester-Jamerson, a 70-year-old Lewis County native and a longtime volunteer for the Lewis County Historical Museum who died of cancer on … more

5/19/25

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

John McCroskey: Lock criminals up and stop making excuses for them

This week, in continuing with my theme of delusions, I ran across a story published by Axios Seattle from April 23 on new gun control legislation, House Bill 1163. In the article, state … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 5/19/25

John Braun: When the government takes more, remember this: Democrats see paying taxes as a ‘privilege’

The people of Washington are about to watch their new governor make what would seem to be the most important and revealing choice of his short time in office. No later than Tuesday, Gov. Bob … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 5/16/25

Wayne Fournier is a Thurston County commissioner, former Tenino mayor, firefighter and lifelong community advocate. He believes that small towns are the last frontier of big ideas. He shares stories of civic creativity, leadership and community-building in his regular newspaper column.

Wayne Fournier: The yellow bicycle revolution — when public art meets politics

In politics, there are formal campaigns, and then there are revolutions made with spray paint, garage-sale bicycles and a little inspiration from the likes of Banksy and Sun Tzu. Before I was a … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier / For The Chronicle | 5/16/25

Rep. Peter Abbarno hands his son, Antonio Abbarno, the torch during the Lewis County Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run on Friday, May 31, 2024.

Peter Abbarno: Honoring the duty and sacrifice of Washington’s law enforcement officers

As we recognize National Police Week (May 11-17, 2025), we pause not only to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers across our country, but also to reflect on the vital role … more

Commentary by state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia | 5/13/25

Last week at the St. Helens Club in Chehalis, President Nancy Leventon gave an hour-long lecture on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics as part of the year’s theme on Scientific Discoveries Through the Ages.

Julie McDonald: AI is here to stay, but debates ensue over ethics of using it

It’s everywhere — artificial intelligence. On the phone. In the car. On the television. Call it Siri. Alexa. ChatGPT. Or Roomba. But it’s here to stay. The question is, what … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/12/25

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride: Early May reminds us that triumph and tragedy go hand in hand with living

May 5. For many, it's a day of joy — Cinco de Mayo, a celebration of resilience and victory, marking the triumph of Mexican forces over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Across … more

Commentary by Richard Stride | 5/12/25

Maureen Harkcom grew up on a Lewis County dairy and operated a beef and native hay operation and developed an equine competition facility. She is a past president of Lewis County Farm Bureau and a current member of Washington Farm Bureau Board of Directors. She can be reached by email at maureen.harkcom@gmail.com.

Maureen Harkcom: Want to live in the country? Don’t complain about country living

“Good morning, ma’am. I am here to investigate a complaint filed against you by your neighbor.” That’s not what you want to hear out of the mouth of someone standing at … more

Commentary by Maureen Harkcom / For The Chronicle | 5/12/25

John McCroskey: It’s not hateful to not go along with someone’s delusions

I recently happened upon a story in the Oregon news which, in my view, perfectly illustrates what we as a society are facing: the failure to use the word “no.” First though, as … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 5/12/25

Commentary: We’re feeding our communities. Why are we being punished?

As the owners of an independent grocery store serving rural Skamania County, we’ve seen a lot – supply chain disruptions, rising fuel costs, labor shortages. Through it all, we’ve … more

By Andra and John Mobley | 5/12/25

Sean Swope is a Lewis County commissioner representing District 1.

Commentary: Safe parking shouldn't come at cost of neighborhood safety or real solutions

A few nights ago, I attended a public meeting held at St. Timothy Episcopal Church to discuss the newly proposed safe parking program in Chehalis. I came into the meeting with an open mind and a … more

Commentary by Sean Swope | 5/9/25

Commentary: Main Street businesses will pay more because of what Washington lawmakers just approved

The Washington Legislature recently adjourned after passing the largest tax increase in state history, and small businesses are going to bear the brunt of it. One of the bills includes an … more

By Kris Johnson, Association of Washington Business | 5/9/25

FILE PHOTO — Rotarians and staff from United Way stand with a cardboard cutout of Dolly Parton to celebrate the three-year anniversary of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library being kicked off in Lewis County in 2022. The program provides books for young kids at no cost to the families.

Commentary: Lewis County Imagination Library safe because community never let up

With a $16 million state budget shortfall expected for the 2025–2027 biennium, agencies across Washington prepared for tough decisions. When the final budget passed on April 26, it … more

Commentary by Chris Judd | 5/9/25

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, looks through documents during the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

John Braun: Words aren’t enough — governor needs to take action against tax hikes

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has set some clear expectations when it comes to raising taxes. Now that he is the final line of defense against the largest tax increase in state history, … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 5/9/25

Jaime Herrera Beutler is a former U.S. Congresswoman and state representative from Southwest Washington.

Jaime Herrera Beutler: Washington’s rent cap will backfire — Here’s what we should do instead

The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and as bad as Washington’s housing market presently is, interventions by elected leaders in Olympia — including the rent control measure … more

Commentary by Jaime Herrera Beutler | 5/7/25