Opinion | The Daily Chronicle

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: No one likes gas tax, but it isn’t the main driver of our high fuel prices

Many people are unhappy about the recent hike in the state fuel tax, especially since the average prices for gas and diesel were already much higher here than in every state except California and … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 7/5/25

Brian Mittge: An example for the future from Centralia’s founder

As Centralia marks its 150th birthday and the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th, I’ve been thinking about the past and what it could mean for us in the future. Living in … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 7/4/25

Sean Swope is a Lewis County commissioner representing District 1.

Sean Swope: Lewis County will reaffirm that we are not a sanctuary county

In the coming weeks, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice w ill re-release the national list of sanctuary jurisdictions — communities they believe obstruct … more

Commentary by Sean Swope | 7/3/25

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez smiles during a tour of Napavine High School’s CTE program at the Tiger Sandbox on Tuesday, April 22.

Gluesenkamp Perez: With vote on big bill, Congress makes terrain more uneven for hardworking families

Editor’s note: Following is the full statement of U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, following the U.S. House passage of the budget reconciliation bill best known as the Big … more

7/3/25

Commentary: Changes made — and not made — to the WA Cares in 2025

Let’s start with a change that was not made to the WA Cares fund in 2025. Lawmakers did not pass a law requiring recertification from people who received exemptions from WA Cares because they … more

By Elizabeth New / Washington Police Center | 7/3/25

Letters to the editor can be submitted to letters@chronline.com.

Letter to the editor: Cumulative effects of increased prices and taxes are staggering

Recent articles in The Chronicle concerning stifling, ever-increasing state taxes give me great trepidation. According to my dictionary, that means “a state of agitation from fear or confused … more

7/2/25

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer, and columnist. He retired as president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and now lives in Vancouver. You can contact him at theBrunells@msn.com.

Commentary: Grades alone cannot measure knowledge and skill

With high school and college commencements wrapping up, employers now worry about the graduates’ preparedness to enter the work world. This year, 3.9 million students graduated from our … more

By Don Brunell | 7/2/25

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: Growth, planning and the Thurston County of tomorrow

Every month, more than 300 new residents move to Thurston County. You can see the impact: rooftops rising, traffic thickening and housing costs climbing. When I took office as a Thurston County … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier | 7/2/25

Letter to the editor: In appreciation of our Cowlitz River rescuers

Recently, my husband and I joined some friends for a kayak outing on the Cowlitz River. We all decided to try a new stretch from Blue Creek boat landing just outside of Toledo. We all had experience … more

6/30/25

Letter to the editor: Reclaiming our quiet streets from ATV chaos

Our peaceful Lewis County neighborhoods are under siege, and it’s a problem directly stemming from a decision made by our own Lewis County Commissioners: allowing ATV and dirt bike use on our … more

6/30/25

Earl and Faye Spencer are pictured in September 2023.

Julie McDonald: Earl Spencer’s legacy includes Southwest Washington Fair

I was saddened to read last week about the June 22 death of Earl Spencer, a longtime local resident whose dedication as Southwest Washington Fair manager for more than 14 years helped the fairgrounds … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/30/25

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: State needs to make vulnerable individuals a priority again

Ideally, legislators would have to respond to most needs only once. Our branch of government makes the appropriate change in law, the executive branch implements it, and away we go. Back in … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 6/27/25

Commentary: The story you're not being told about gas prices in Washington, Idaho

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s worth the drive across the border to fuel up in Idaho instead of Washington, the answer is a resounding yes — especially if you care about … more

By Chris Cargill / Mountain States Policy Center | 6/27/25

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: A call to action for Lewis County farmers after assessor’s letter prompts concern

In January 2024, my phone went crazy with Farm Bureau members calling me. I was Lewis County Farm Bureau (LCFB) president at that time. They were very upset about a letter they had received from … more

6/27/25

Peter Abbarno: Washingtonians deserve better than record tax hikes

Starting July 1, Washington families, seniors and small businesses will begin feeling the effects of the largest tax increase in state history. Passed by a Democratic majority in Olympia — with … more

Commentary by Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia | 6/27/25

Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal

Commentary: Reykdal confronted by state data, blames partisanship for bad results

Pointing to statistics from the Washington Policy Center's Report Card for Washington's Future showing student spending is up per pupil from $13,775 to $19,163, while student test scores show decline … more

By David Boze / Washington Policy Center | 6/25/25

Letter to the editor: Claims against City of Winlock are not true

Residents of Winlock: I am writing to address the profoundly concerning and baseless accusations made in a recent letter to the editor, published in The Chronicle. The City of Winlock wishes to … more

6/25/25

Letter to the editor: The Republican Party must do better

According to reliable reports, Donald Trump is deeply dissatisfied with the recent military parade in Washington, D.C., that celebrated his birthday. The troops did not march in close … more

6/25/25

Letter to the editor: Port director’s comment not appreciated

After Executive Director Kyle Heaton said “Maybe I attract idiots” at the June 18 meeting, I think the public deserves to know what kind of leaders we have at our citizen-owned port. … more

6/25/25

Author Kathie Deviny of Olympia, right, introduces Browsers Bookshop owner Andrea Y. Griffith, left, and author illustrator Corrina Luyken, center.

Julie McDonald: Learning from librarians at a Pacific Northwest conference

If you have a Timberland Regional Library card, you can obtain a card for libraries in King County, Pierce County or even Fort Vancouver Regional Library, expanding your access to even larger … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/23/25