Opinion | Thurston Chronicle

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 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: 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 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: 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

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: Democrats are in no rush to settle concerns about potential fraud

A recent state audit questioned whether Washington’s Department of Children, Youth and Families had properly spent federal funds to subsidize childcare. Between compliance and documentation … more

By Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 4/10/26

Powerlines above the Columbia River move electricity from the Bonneville Dam to customers across the region in Hood River County, Oregon, on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jordan Gale/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Commentary: Salmon are not to blame for BPA failing to meet its responsibilities

The Bonneville Power Administration, the federal agency that sells Columbia Basin hydropower, is required by law to make decisions that are economically beneficial for its customers. It also must … more

By Nancy Hirsh and Liz Hamilton | 4/10/26

The Washington state Capitol building stands against clear skies in Olympia.

Commentary: Lawsuit filed against the unconstitutional income tax in Washington state

As everyone expected, a lawsuit was filed on April 9, 2026, in Klickitat Superior Court challenging the unconstitutional income tax adopted this year in Washington. The lead attorneys are former … more

By Jason Mercier / Mountain States Policy Center | 4/10/26

Commentary: Two words employers deserve to hear more often — thank you

If you own or operate a business in Washington, I’m curious — when is the last time you have heard the words “thank you?” Small and medium businesses are the cornerstone of our economy, … more

By Kris Johnson, Association of Washington Business | 4/8/26

Ballot envelopes sit in the Thurston County elections center. (Photo by Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard)

Commentary: Why federal efforts to get sensitive voter data face resistance

In May 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice began sending letters to state governments demanding copies of statewide voter registration lists. The request was unprecedented: It demanded not only … more

By John Martin via The Washington State Standard | 4/8/26

Pinwheels placed around the Washington state Capitol campus to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Commentary: April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

Drive or walk through the Washington State Capitol Campus this April and you’ll notice something special blooming around the Tivoli Fountain — a garden of bright blue pinwheels marking … more

By Bob Partlow of Family Education and Support Services | 4/7/26

Thurston County Commissioner Wayne Fournier speaks during a grand opening for the Agriculture Innovation Park in Tenino on Wednesday, May 28.

Wayne Fournier: How ideas gain momentum — and an example from Tenino

The most important work in government does not happen in speeches or headlines. It happens quietly through relationships, trust and steady follow-through. Progress rarely comes from a single … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier / For The Chronicle | 4/6/26