Opinion | Thurston Chronicle

Gov. Chris Gregoire is pictured in 2012.

Commentary: When you’ve lost Christine Gregoire, you’ve lost Washington

When former Gov. Christine Gregoire starts sounding the alarm about Washington state government, Olympia should pay attention. Gregoire is not a conservative activist. She is not … more

By Chris Cargill / Mountain States Policy Center | 5/15/26

Wayne Fournier is a Thurston County commissioner and former mayor who has spent more than three decades working in public safety. His column appears in The Chronicle twice each month.

Wayne Fournier commentary: The power of regional alignment

Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the City Nation Place Americas Conference in Vancouver, B.C., alongside regional partners from across Thurston County. I attended as a board member of … more

By Wayne Fournier | 5/13/26

John Braun commentary: To get our state back on the right track, the choice is clear

It has been a privilege to have this space week after week to alert readers about important public-policy issues facing our beautiful state and how the Republican members of our state Senate are … more

By. Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 5/8/26

The Washington Capitol building is lit up against the night sky in Olympia.

Commentary: Washington employers are looking for the exit

Back in February, when the Association of Washington Business released a survey showing that nearly one in five Washington employers were looking to move business to another state — and almost half … more

By Kris Johnson, Association of Washington Business | 5/6/26

Rob Richards is a Navy veteran and former congressional staffer who has been an active community member in Thurston County for over two decades.

Rob Richards commentary: Domestic violence victims left in the dark

There is a service window in the Thurston County Courthouse that has been dark since Jan. 20. The phones behind it go unanswered. The counter is closed. Linda Myhre Enlow, our county clerk, did not … more

By Rob Richards | 5/5/26

Students and Evergreen State College pool advocates wave signs before a 22nd Legislative District town hall at The Olympia Center on Wednesday, April 29.

Commentary: Evergreen's pool is the canary in the coal mine

On Feb. 26, The Evergreen State College announced it would close its pool — the largest south of Federal Way and the only public pool on the westside of Olympia. Students and community members were … more

By Amalie O'Connor / Save the Evergreen Pool | 5/4/26

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: Shine light on governor’s court appointments by requiring Senate confirmation

If the Democrats’ new income tax ends up before the state Supreme Court, as many expect, the case will bring a heightened level of public interest in the justices themselves. Taxpayers will … more

By Sen. John Braun | 5/1/26

Rep. John Ley, R-Vancouver, speaks during a House floor debate on SB 6346 on Tuesday, March 10, in Olympia.

Commentary: Washington state is overtaxing you as spending remains out of control

As April comes to a close and May arrives, homeowners are feeling the financial hit of scraping together enough money to pay property taxes. Despite a reported “1% cap” on property tax … more

By Rep. John Ley | 5/1/26

Commentary: The ‘Olympia Premium’ is breaking Washington families; lawmakers should return to fix crisis they created

Imagine standing at a gas pump in Lakewood, Vancouver or Spokane, watching the numbers climb with agonizing speed, and knowing that thousands of miles away, the Strait of Hormuz — the world’s … more

By Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton | 4/29/26

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: Democrats fail to protect children, but they’ll go after sheriffs

Olympia’s majority Democrats showed again this year how their priorities are way off when it comes to the safety of the public. The bills they rejected include two I had introduced that are … more

By Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 4/24/26

Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, speaks during a House floor debate on SB 6346 on Tuesday, March 10, in Olympia.

Peter Abbarno commentary: Successful STEP housing should be community-up, not Olympia-down

Washington state is facing a real and urgent housing crisis. Families are struggling, individuals are experiencing homelessness, and communities across our state are searching for solutions that are … more

By Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis | 4/24/26

Wayne Fournier commentary: Compassion, reality and the path forward on homelessness

In my last column, I wrote about how Thurston County has built a compassionate and admirable system to respond to homelessness and how that system now faces the challenge of long-term sustainability. … more

By Wayne Fournier | 4/22/26

Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro Woolley, answers a question from the press following the State of the State address in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Commentary: Fixing the hidden clogs in Washington state’s justice system

When we talk about public safety in Washington, the conversation rightly begins with the men and women in blue. The crisis in recruitment and retention of law-enforcement officers remains a paramount … more

By Sen. Keith Wagoner | 4/22/26

A grocery store produce section with apples, peaches and other fresh items.

Commentary: They block grocery stores, then build their own at four times the cost

Across the country, politicians are sounding the alarm about rising food prices and lack of access to grocery stores. Their solution? Government-run supermarkets. There’s just one problem: in … more

By Chris Cargill / Mountain States Policy Center | 4/22/26

Commentary: Olympia knew Washington farming is in crisis, but did nothing

As the 2026 Washington state legislative session came to a close, there was at least one thing worth noting: some of the worst anti-farm ideas introduced this year did not make it across the finish … more

By Ben Tindall | 4/22/26

John Braun: Look no further than Olympia for the true cause of high energy costs

Who’s most responsible for the high cost of filling your fuel tank and paying for the energy your home needs? Jay Inslee wants you to put the blame solely on the White House. In recent … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 4/17/26

Rob Richards Commentary: Unserious people are not taken seriously

Here’s something political scientists recently confirmed in a study, though most people already knew it: politicians who make a habit of insulting people get more TV coverage and get less done. … more

By Rob Richards | 4/16/26

The Washington state Capitol is pictured from Heritage Park in Olympia on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Commentary: Washington fails the test for affordability

Washington continues to rack up poor rankings as one of the most unaffordable states in the country. A recent report shows the Evergreen State as the fifth most expensive state in the United States. … more

By Sam Cardwell / Mountain States Policy Center | 4/15/26

Peter Abbarno: Accountability and opportunity — getting child care right in Washington

Recent childcare reports raise serious concerns about Washington state’s handling of funding, with the state auditor questioning millions of dollars in payments tied to federal support. While … more

Commentary by Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis | 4/15/26

Wayne Fournier: Considering housing, homelessness and when the system begins to bend

Over the past several months, I’ve been thinking a great deal about the ongoing conversations surrounding housing and homelessness in Thurston County. Whether it’s the future of Quince … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier | 4/15/26