Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Commentary: Montana, Idaho join the 'record' tax cut club while Washington state imposes a 'historic' tax increase

If there was a theme for the 2025 Legislative Sessions in our region, it was major tax changes. On the negative side of the ledger are the “historic” tax increases rammed through in … more

Jason Mercier | Mountain States Policy Center | 4/30/25

Julie McDonald: State museum honors Edna Fund with Service to Local History Award

More than two dozen people hit the freeway north to the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma on Saturday to help celebrate the state’s 2025 Service to Local History Award recipient, former … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 4/28/25

John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.

John McCroskey: Treatment of congresswoman comes from angry, entitled, selfish people

Some months ago, I found myself at a very nice event in Seattle at a restaurant celebrating a special event in the life of some people I’m very fond of. It was their anniversary, and … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 4/28/25

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, stands in the wings of the Senate floor at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

John Braun: Just what we don’t need — a property tax hike that’s also bad for rural schools

The expression about a wolf in sheep’s clothing stems from Matthew 7:15, recounting Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 4/25/25

John McCroskey: Taxpayers are an endangered species in Washington state

Earlier this week, The Chronicle published an article online about yet one another reason for us to lose sleep at night. If it's not the end of the world due to global climate change, now we … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 4/23/25

Kevin Carns: Don’t punish victims of graffiti in Chehalis — hold offenders accountable

Graffiti is a growing problem in Chehalis. It’s unsightly, it drives down property values and it sends a message that disorder and crime are tolerated in our community. As a Chehalis … more

Commentary by Kevin Carns, Chehalis city councilor | 4/23/25

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride: The season that smells like hope — and allergies

Spring has arrived — quietly, sneakily, like a cat slipping through a screen door. One minute, you’re scraping frost off your windshield. The next, you’re wondering if your … more

Commentary by Richard Stride | 4/23/25

Former journalist, historian and author Sig Unander, of Portland, speaks about World War II during a presentation at McMenamins Olympic Theater in Centralia.

Julie McDonald: Speaker focuses on WWII; touring tulip fields and Titanic artifacts

Ever since we honored our local Rosie the Riveters and the Guys in 2005, when I immersed myself in capturing their stories, I’ve been intrigued by the women who worked in defense industries on … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 4/21/25

Pope Francis smiles and waves in this photo from 2014.

Our Views: Remembering Pope Francis, a shepherd who never walked away

The world feels quieter today. Not because a man has died, but because a voice — steady, grounded and full of grace — has gone silent. Pope Francis is gone, and for those of us who … more

By The Chronicle Editorial Board | 4/21/25

Commentary: Washington state Supreme Court ignores voters, makes homeless challenge worse

The United States Supreme Court ruled. Voters decided. Other states have acted. But all of this wasn't enough for justices on the Washington state Supreme Court. That court on Thursday brazenly … more

By Chris Cargill / Mountain States Policy Center | 4/21/25

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: ‘Make the wealthy pay,’ Democrats say — while they come for your money

For weeks, the Legislature’s majority Democrats have been keeping the people of Washington in the dark about the new state operating budget. That’s unacceptable, but it would be even … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 4/18/25

State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, represents the 20th Legislative District and is the House Republican Caucus chair.

Peter Abbarno: Why transparency matters when everything is on the line in Olympia

Washington families are facing real and growing challenges. The cost of living in Washington is among the highest in the nation. We pay more for groceries, ranking fourth in the country. Fuel prices … more

Commentary by Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia | 4/18/25

Richard Stride: The soul behind the words and wisdom that spans generations

As spring becomes more well established in 2025 and gives way to summer, my mind begins to think about two things: worry and wisdom. I think about why we worry and the shared wisdom of the past … more

Commentary by Richard Stride | 4/18/25

John McCroskey: Taxing everything in sight must come to an end

As I have aged — less than gracefully — and retired, I have become acutely aware of a couple things; first, how much it costs me to live in a house I have owned for years, and, second, … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 4/16/25

Maureen Harkcom grew up on a Lewis County dairy and operated a beef and native hay operation and developed an equine competition facility. She is a past president of Lewis County Farm Bureau and a current member of Washington Farm Bureau Board of Directors. She can be reached by email at maureen.harkcom@gmail.com.

Maureen Harkcom: Growing up on a farm with agricultural aspirations of my own

Life throws us some interesting twists sometimes. I grew up outside, working in the barns with my dad, brothers and hired men. Along with that, I was taught my place, my role as a female. I … more

Commentary by Maureen Harkcom / For The Chronicle | 4/16/25

Pastor Mark McHugh of Harrison Square Presbyterian Church is pictured at a bingo fundraiser for Shalom Village at The Juice Box in Centralia.

Julie McDonald: Thoughts churn over senseless deaths, anger and higher taxes

We watched her grow up, a little bit at a time, during our annual treks to Bellingham for the Fourth of July, although we hadn’t seen her for many years. And now we’ll never see her … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 4/14/25

Sean Swope is a Lewis County commissioner representing District 1.

Sean Swope: When the state pushes parents aside, we all lose

This weekend, I made a mistake. I reposted information about a bill that had just passed out of the Washington state Senate without first verifying whether it was accurate. The post included several … more

Commentary by Sean Swope | 4/14/25

Melody, left, and Lilyan Reynolds shovel compost into buckets at Seminary Hill Natural Area in Centralia on Saturday, Feb. 23.

Brian Mittge: Spring cleaning, Earth Day and a new celebration

I love the winter, but it’s hard not to get excited as warmer days, green growth and the flowers of spring begin to emerge. And despite weather that changes faster than a … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 4/11/25

State Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia

John Braun: Property tax hike plus rent control could be last straw for affordable housing

Marie, a Mason County resident, ended up with her parents’ home after their passing. To pay the property taxes, she’s already had to take from her retirement and sell her late … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 4/11/25

Cherry blossoms are in full bloom at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday, April 2.

Guest commentary: Budget savings for Washington cuts health care access for state employees

The Washington state Legislature is poised to make decisions that have serious consequences for access to health care for state employees and everyone living in South Puget Sound. Budget … more

By Darin Goss and Will Callicoat | 4/9/25