October 9, 2012, 5:00pm Editorials
Jaime Herrera Beutler understands the Constitution's Article 1, Section 7: "All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives." As a member of that body, she believes the most important step Congress must take is to stop government overspending.That belief is the first of many reasons The… Read story
October 8, 2012, 5:00pm Editorials
For eight years as Washington attorney general, Rob McKenna has worked closely with the Legislature and Gov. Chris Gregoire, acquiring a vast knowledge of how both branches of state government can succeed even during the worst economic times. Occasionally, he disagreed with lawmakers as well as Gregoire, demonstrating an independent… Read story
October 7, 2012, 5:00pm Editorials
Considering that -- as stated in the state constitution, and as affirmed by the state Supreme Court -- basic public education is the state's paramount duty, it is time for the people of Washington to approve the establishment of charter schools. It is time for Washingtonians to vote yes on… Read story
October 6, 2012, 5:00pm Editorials
Two skills essential for a successful county commissioner are a willingness to listen to innovative solutions (even when they come from members of the other political party) and a meticulous understanding of how counties and the Legislature can succeed as partners.Marc Boldt and Joe Tanner have mastered both skills. Each… Read story
October 4, 2012, 5:00pm Editorials
No verdicts were rendered during the Aug. 7 primary in the 49th Legislative District because each of the three races had just two candidates. All advanced to the Nov. 6 election. But just because there were no decisions doesn't mean there were no clues.Across the board, each Democrat received about… Read story
October 3, 2012, 5:00pm Editorials
How Republican is Clark County's 18th Legislative District? Here are some clues:The 18th's candidate for state senator, Ann Rivers, is making her first bid for that chamber, yet she received a higher percentage of votes in the Aug. 7 primary than any other legislative candidate in the three districts contained… Read story
October 2, 2012, 5:00pm Editorials
Nestled between the red 18th and the blue 49th is Clark County's 17th Legislative District, the only one of the three with legislators from both political parties. Competition is fierce in this slightly conservative but unpredictable swing district. Nowhere is this struggle more evident than in Don Benton's race to… Read story
October 1, 2012, 5:00pm Editorials
Thorough preparation and extensive community outreach have highlighted Julia Anderson's first venture into elective politics. Her list of supporters for Clark Public Utilities commissioner includes outgoing commissioner Carol Curtis, who is retiring after 30 years at the post, dozens of local elected officials in both political parties, Vancouver Mayor Tim… Read story
October 1, 2012, 5:00pm Editorials
When Washington voters were asked in 2010 if they wanted to require a two-thirds approval by the Legislature for tax increases, they not only approved, the statewide consent approached two-thirds (63.7 percent; 71.3 percent in Clark County). Initiative 1185 on the Nov. 6 ballot asks the same question. The Columbian… Read story
September 29, 2012, 5:00pm Editorials
Prohibition of marijuana has failed as miserably as prohibition of alcohol did back in the 1920s. It's time to recognize the obvious: The longer we fight the war against marijuana, the greater grows the defeat.Initiative 502 on the Nov. 6 ballot would legalize recreational use of marijuana, which would be… Read story
