Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Commentary: Employers see slew of tax and regulation ideas coming from Olympia

The 2024 legislative session got off to a fast start in January with lawmakers introducing hundreds of bills covering virtually every topic you could imagine, from weighty public policy issues to … more

By Kris Johnson / Association of Washington Business | 2/2/24

Dan Maughn smiles while talking about beekeeping after receiving a gift from Lewis County Farm Bureau President Maureen Harkcom, the author of this commentary, during a tour on Monday, July 31.

Focus on agriculture: Hardships of farmers rarely considered by Americans they feed

As I write this, I just came in a little while ago from cleaning the chicken house. I need to warm up before heading back outside. The hens dove into the fresh, unfrozen water (yes, the ice in the … more

Commentary by Maureen Harkcom / For The Chronicle | 2/2/24

A mockup of the Billy Frank Jr. statue was on display at the Washington State Capitol Building on Jan. 10.

Commentary: Statue of Billy Frank Jr. reminds us to tell our story

Family, friends, and tribal and state leaders recently witnessed the unveiling of a model of the Billy Frank Jr. statue in a ceremony at the state Capitol. The 4-foot-tall model — … more

1/31/24

Commentary: Uncovering nuggets of buried history

I love to read; I especially enjoy reading history. A while back, I wrote about who is the real Lone Ranger. You can find it somewhere on the Chronicle’s website if you are interested. In that … more

By Richard Stride | 1/31/24

Getting Chehalis’ fiscal house in order: a call to freeze new spending

In these challenging times of rampant inflation, it’s imperative the Chehalis City Council take a hard look at our city’s finances. The responsible management of taxpayer dollars has … more

By Kevin Carns and Daryl Lund | 1/29/24

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez speaks during an interview with Chronicle columnist Julie McDonald.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez on world conflicts and hopelessness at home

Editor’s Note: Columnist Julie McDonald previously wrote a three-part series based on an interview with Republican congressional candidate Joe Kent. That series, and the first two parts of her … more

Julie McDonald | 1/29/24

State Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, talks about his focuses in the upcoming legislative session during a visit to The Chronicle in Centralia on Thursday, Dec 14.

Property-tax push is more proof Democrats can’t ‘read the room’

Many Washington families statewide continue to struggle with the high prices of fuel, food, utilities, housing and more. No one reading the “room” that is our state would say property … more

By Sen. John Braun | 1/26/24

A sign reads, “Vote Yes! For Napavine Schools,” at a Napavine residence in 2023.

Editorial: Lawmakers should make it easier for school levies to pass

Year after year, school districts go to voters to request funding for capital improvements, and year after year, many are rejected. It’s difficult to persuade 60% of voters to increase their … more

By The Seattle Times (TNS) | 1/24/24

Those pesky initiatives are back

After a brief hiatus, those pesky citizen initiatives are back, much to the chagrin of three-term Gov. Jay Inslee and Democrats who have an ironclad grip on our state Legislature. Lawmakers, … more

By Don C. Brunell | 1/24/24

Highlighting Lewis County: Criticism Hits Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez from right and left

Editor’s Note: Columnist Julie McDonald previously wrote a three-part series based on an interview with Republican congressional candidate Joe Kent. That series, and the first part of her … more

By Julie McDonald | 1/22/24

Other Views: Bill requiring fentanyl education in Washington schools deserves bipartisan support

Lawmakers may be in an abbreviated legislative session, but there's still enough time for them to pass important legislation that will ultimately save lives. House Bill 1956, and its companion bill, … more

By The Seattle Times Editorial Board (TNS) | 1/18/24

Julie McDonald: Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez says Congress needs down-to-earth members

Editor’s note: Columnist Julie McDonald previously wrote a three-part series based on an interview with Republican congressional candidate Joe Kent. The series can be found at … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 1/15/24

Sen. John Braun: As initiatives put target on taxes, Democrats pursue massive tax hike

While every legislative session makes history to some degree, the 2024 session is on track to be in a class of its own. Credit for that goes not to lawmakers but to 800,000-plus people in our state … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 1/12/24

Jack State points to courts outside W.F. West High School in June 2023.

Brian Mittge: Remembering tennis coach Jack State, a true ace

This week, our community has seen an outpouring of mourning for longtime W.F. West tennis coach Jack State, who died Saturday after suffering a serious medical event. He turned 80 during his week in … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 1/12/24

Sean Swope commentary: Levy passage an investment in future leaders, thinkers and citizens

As a parent of children who receive their education through homeschooling and private schooling, my vocal support for the upcoming Centralia School District replacement levy might come as a surprise … more

By Sean Swope, Lewis County commissioner | 1/10/24

Jim Walsh smiles while attending a ceremony along the Willapa Hills State Park Trail last year.

Jim Walsh commentary: State’s program to replace barriers for salmon spirals out of control

In the annals of Olympia’s failure and mismanagement, few disasters can match the one happening right now. The state’s program to replace barriers for salmon and steelhead migration to … more

By state Rep. Jim Walsh / R-Aberdeen | 1/10/24

Author Sandy Crowell, left, is pictured with Helen Sanders in this photo from columnist Julie McDonald.

Julie McDonald: Helen Sanders tells of reservation life and Supreme Court battle

As the youngest of seven children growing up near the Black River on the Chehalis Indian Reservation, Helen Sanders often darted through their house in her father’s wake, ignoring her … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 1/8/24

Washington Senate Minority Leaders John Braun, R-Centralia, and Andy Billig, D-Spokane, sent a joint letter urging Gov. Jay Inslee to fly an Israeli flag at the state Capitol and to lower state flags to half-mast last year.

Our Views: Israel, Hamas and the next chapter of racism in America

The "woke" movement is different than many Americans thought. Woke has evolved from a notion of heightened awareness about societal biases into something more divisive. Woke has turned 180 degrees … more

By The Chronicle Editorial Board | 1/8/24

Gregg Peterson, president of the Lewis County Fire Chiefs Association and interim Fire District 5 chief, attends a meeting at the Lewis County Fire District 3 building in Mossyrock in November 2022.

Brian Mittge: Lions come roaring back to Tiger town

Even occasional readers of this column will have noted my endless enthusiasm for civic involvement. I’ll never tire of singing the praises of working alongside like-minded folks to improve your … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 1/5/24

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds streak across the sky over Tacoma in formation during the JBLM Airshow and Warrior Expo on Sunday, July 16.

Commentary: Money for our military is Washington’s golden egg

Aesop’s fable warns against killing the goose laying golden eggs. The tale’s origins date to 600 B.C. and tell of the greedy farmer who foolishly killed the prized goose to get to the … more

By Don Brunell | 1/5/24