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A rack holds various e-cigarettes and vaping pens prepared for testing inside a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention laboratory.
Commentary: Stronger enforcement, effective policy: Protecting kids without fueling the Illicit market
Washington lawmakers deserve credit for taking meaningful steps to confront the growing threat of illicit tobacco and vapor products. Stronger enforcement tools, clearer penalties, and a renewed … more
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Commentary: Rule of law takes a hit in Washington with unconstitutional income tax vote
It takes 33 votes to advance a constitutional amendment in the Washington State Senate. In a universe where the Washington Legislature cared about the rule of law and honoring state supreme court … more
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A Sound Transit Link light rail train is stopped at a station as riders use the stairs and escalator to exit.
Commentary: Washington legislation would target parked cars to pay for light rail cost overruns
A new bill in Washington state would target parked vehicles for expired registration. Senate Bill 6172 could be voted on by the Senate soon. The measure received backlash from local radio and online … more
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Commentary: Eviction prevention cuts will only drive more costs for Washington State
Eviction is a crisis that sends waves through the community — and those waves are rising fast in Washington state, where eviction filings have surged 50% above pandemic levels. After eviction, … more
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Peter Abbarno
Commentary: When government stops listening, public trust is at risk
For more than a century, Washingtonians have exercised a powerful constitutional tool: the initiative process. It exists so that, when the Legislature falters, or citizens feel ignored by the … more
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The Washington state Capitol is pictured from Heritage Park in Olympia on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Commentary: Proposed tax on advertising would have widespread consequences
In the Washington state Senate’s tax bill, SSB 6113, a small paragraph poses devastating consequences to our communities: it would create a new tax on advertising that has until now been … more
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Sen. John Braun of Centralia serves the 20th Legislative District, which spans parts of four counties from Yelm to Vancouver. He became Senate Republican leader in 2020.
John Braun commentary: Olympia’s concern for affordability continues to be one-sided
Republicans still seem to be alone at the state Capitol when it comes to knowing what “affordability” truly means. The proof is in the nearly 70 bills proposed or reintroduced by majority … more
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Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, speaks in favor of House Bill 2343 during an Environment and Energy Committee public hearing on Thursday, Jan. 22, in Olympia.
Peter Abbarno commentary: When government stops listening, public trust is at risk
For more than a century, Washingtonians have exercised a powerful constitutional tool: the initiative process. It exists so that, when the Legislature falters, or citizens feel ignored by the … more
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The Washington state Capitol is pictured from Heritage Park in Olympia on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Commentary: Washington’s competitive edge is eroding
Washington has long been a high-cost state for employers, but new data show the state is increasingly losing its competitive edge in key areas.  Job growth is stalling, the business climate … more
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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: The problem is Democrats’ thirst for money, not the state tax code
For more than a decade, Democrats in Olympia have complained our state’s tax code is overly regressive. That claim is made again, predictably, in Senate Bill 6346, the legislation they filed Feb. 3 … more
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Sen. Jeff Wilson speaks during a vigil to mourn conservative activist Charlie Kirk at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis on Sunday, Sept. 14.
Jeff Wilson commentary: ‘Initiative Killer’ on the loose — bill squelches a cherished right
Last month, I found myself in a committee hearing room in Olympia, listening to a panel of labor-union officials testify in favor of sharp restrictions on initiative signature drives. They said … more
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Sen. John Braun of Centralia serves the 20th Legislative District, which spans part of four counties from Yelm to Vancouver. He became Senate Republican leader in 2020.
John Braun commentary: Democrats’ no-mask bill is unenforceable, distracts from real issues
Whether officials in our state like it or not, federal officers have a responsibility to enforce federal laws. That doesn’t change just because the enforcement efforts have unforeseen consequences, … more
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From the left, Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, talks to Centralia Public Works Director Andy Oien and Centralia Mayor Norm Chapman following a public hearing on House Bill 2343 on Thursday, Jan. 22, in Olympia.
Peter Abbarno commentary: Local challenges, local solutions — building a stronger community together
As your representative, I have always believed that the best solutions to our challenges don’t come from a top-down approach in Olympia. They come from listening to neighbors, understanding local … more
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The Capitol Building is seen on the night of Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 in Olympia.
Commentary: Terrible time to shut down oversight of Washington state children’s agency
When Olympia says, "Don’t look here," it’s time to start looking really, really hard. Minnesota’s deepening Somali daycare fraud scandal naturally is prompting questions about whether the same … more
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Gov. Bob Ferguson greets legislators as he leaves the House chamber in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
Commentary: Gov. Bob Ferguson’s plan does nothing for affordability
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson recently delivered his annual State of the State address in front of the legislature in Olympia. His message: prepare for taxes to go up and say goodbye to … more
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A coho salmon. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Bureau of Land Management)
Commentary: ​​When oversight is punished and failure is protected at WDFW
When the director of a state agency asks the governor to investigate the citizen commission that oversees him, the public should pause. When that request follows years of documented leadership … more
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Sen. John Braun speaks during a legislative forum hosted by Cascade Community Healthcare in Centralia on Thursday, Dec. 11.
John Braun commentary: For the sake of Washington’s children, don’t fumble fentanyl bill a fourth time
Here in Washington, and no doubt other states, victims of the fentanyl epidemic include babies and toddlers injured by exposure to this poison by adults, usually fentanyl-addicted parents. On … more
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Gov. Bob Ferguson greets legislators before delivering the State of the State address in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
Commentary: Gov. Bob Ferguson proposes more debt to pay for road maintenance, ferries, and yes — bike lanes
In his 2026 Supplemental Transportation Budget proposal, Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson wants to borrow $2.1 billion for maintenance and preservation of roads and bridges, and to speed up ferry … more
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Gov. Bob Ferguson answers questions from the press during a legislative session preview in a Senate Hearing room in Olympia on Friday, Jan. 9.
Commentary: Washington poll shows voters want economic focus, spending restraint, and ed transparency
Mountain States Policy Center on January 13 released results from the first annual Washington Poll , a new statewide research effort designed to help lawmakers, community leaders, and citizens better … more
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Donna Gordon Blankinship
Commentary: How microschools and other innovative K-12 programs are catching on in Washington state
Educators are exploring new and creative approaches to meeting students where they are academically; for some options, regulatory and funding frameworks are still evolving When Cadence was … more
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