Opinion

In Our View: Inslee Turns Up The Heat

Now it's time for the legislators to do their part and support the CRC

After the Legislature failed to complete its work earlier this year, Gov. Jay Inslee dispatched several signals indicating he would participate more aggressively in the special session. On Monday, he did precisely that, vetoing $81 million in funding for the Columbia River Crossing not because he doesn't support the CRC, but because he wants the Legislature to match the $450 million Oregon has committed to the project. Inslee sees "no wisdom in expending (the $81 million) if the state of Washington does not contribute its share of funding necessary to complete the project.

Editorial Cartoon: Rogue Agents

May 22

Callaghan: 'Real' unemployment rate used for political arguments

It's sometimes called the "real" unemployment rate and it's always the number preferred by out-of-power politicians who use it as proof that the economy isn't as good as the incumbent president or governor says it is.

Letter: Madore, Mielke know the right path

I am writing in response to watching a recent Clark County commissioner's meeting on television, mainly on the naming of Sen. Don Benton to director of the county's environmental services. Unfortunately, most of the citizens who spoke were against David Madore, Tom Mielke, and Benton.

Letter: Madore is running roughshod

Clark County commissioners and the county Board of Health are responsible for local health policy. As a recent retiree from public health, my experience as environmental services manager and lead for the Growing Healthier Report taught me that there is positive visionary community interest in creating the building blocks (e.g., active transportation, access to healthy foods, environmental quality) for a healthy Clark County.

Letter: Scrutinize all political groups

Thank you Ruth Marcus for the May 16 column, "IRS scandal overshadows another failure by agency," stating that the true IRS scandal is its leniency in scrutinizing all political groups, not just conservative ones. My first thought, upon hearing of the scandal, was, "What? They're not also targeting liberal groups?"

Letter: Reduce effects of climate change

A review of 12,000 papers on climate change, in the May 15 issue of Environmental Research Letters, found that 97 percent of scientists attribute climate change to human activities. Although we're unlikely to reverse climate change, we can mitigate its effects by reducing our driving, energy use, and meat consumption. A 2006 U.N. report estimated that meat consumption accounts for 18 percent of man-made greenhouse gases. A 2009 article in the respected World Watch magazine suggested that it may be closer to 50 percent.

Letter: Disparity in cost creates question

I'm just curious why the new I-74 bridge across the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa, which includes a new eight-lane span and the supporting bridge approaches, ramps, and highway connections, has a price tag of $850 million and the Columbia River Crossing, even including light rail, is $3.4 billion? Read about the I-74 project.

In Our View: Crowded Races in Local Cities

Voters have numerous choices as council candidates prepare for battle

Every politician — regardless of party or position — needs to be challenged by opponents. It's good for the elected officials to not only be held accountable but to respect and even fear that process as he or she works for the voters. And it's good for the electorate to not only have choices but to leverage the electoral process as an ominous reminder throughout the term of office.

Editorial Cartoon: Hard Not to Smile

May 21

Sowell: Undo 'brainwashing' by making students hit the books

This time of year, as college students return home for the summer, many parents may notice how many politically correct ideas they have acquired on campus. Some of those parents may wonder how they can undo some of the brainwashing that has become so common in what are supposed to be institutions of higher learning.