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In a U.S. Chamber of Commerce poll released in early December, the findings spell trouble for America’s employers – both private and public. It found that more than 60% of the respondents are in no hurry to return to work and over a third of the unemployed are not actively going after a job or looking at all. The problem is growing worse. A large number of respondents feel they can get by for at least another six months before they have to find employment. The survey dis...
This morning, Gov. Jay Inslee announced his latest climate proposals for the 2022 legislative session. Despite proposing hundreds of millions of dollars in additional spending, none of the governor’s proposals today will reduce additional CO2 emissions. Every policy – from subsidizing solar panels, to subsidizing electric vehicles – duplicates an existing policy. They are expensive but add nothing. Additionally, the creation of a new office to ensure accountability for CO2 r...
In recent years, Democrats have taken issue with a number of harmless things (math and advanced academic classes, for example), deeming them racist and demanding their removal. We’ve seen progressive outrage over historic statues, holidays, and a seemingly endless number of topics. Their most recent targets are farmers markets and food charities. Washington State University is now reinforcing claims that farmers markets and food charities are examples of “white dominant culture” and “white supremacy.” WSU’s agriculture...
Instead of the front page headline “High school vaccine clinic causes concern” (Cheney Free Press, Nov. 25, 2021), how about a more relevant headline such as “High school vaccine clinic proves popular,” with the subheading, “Vaccine slots fill quickly by parents grateful for opportunity to protect their kids and community?” Kristin Mansfield, DVM Cheney...
Due to the federal government changing the unemployment benefit eligibility rules mid-pandemic, some Washington residents, who have been receiving unemployment benefits, will now have repay the benefits despite being approved to receive benefits initially. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, launched shortly after the pandemic started, did not fully verify that a benefit claimant was eligible for program benefits. Claimants that applied under the rules of the...
Last week, the Cheney Free Press ran a column with statements which I find incorrect or misleading. For example, in regards to Senate Bill 1084, the column states, “Prohibiting natural gas is expensive for home and building owners many of whom installed…” Senate Bill 1084 would eliminate on-site fossil fuel combustion for space heating and water heating in new construction in order to reduce climate impacts. Buildings account for almost 40% of CO2 emissions in the U.S. Senate Bill 1084 would only affect new const...
Remember the television ad where the auto mechanic looks viewers straight in the eye and says: “You can pay me now or pay me later!” The message: if you change your car’s oil and filter every 5,000 miles, you can avoid a disastrous engine replacement later? The same principle applies to our national debt. Congress can either take steps to control spending and debt now, or watch interest payments swallow up our hard-earned tax dollars and starve needed programs. Ignoring massi...
Under the guise of water conservation, the state Department of Ecology is once again moving to take water rights from farmers, ranchers and other private holders. Last month, the agency announced plans to fund creation of local “water banks,” in addition to the state “water bank” already in existence. The agency says the program helps municipalities buy water rights from private owners. It has set $14 million aside for the program. The goal, agency spokesman Jimmy Norris...
The last 20 months have been exceedingly difficult for most Americans. A-cross the country there have been coronavirus mandates, riots, increasing taxes, job losses and more. The crime rate in many areas is skyrocketing. Many stores have empty shelves. And mental health problems are out of control. The stress we feel is exacerbated by television news and social media. But rather than dwell on the negatives we are bombarded with daily, take this week to focus on the positives....
Sen. George McGovern of South Dakota was never a darling of conservatives; however, in his later years he shocked fellow Democrats by his outspoken backing for streamlining government regulations and eliminating frivolous lawsuits — positions championed mostly by Republicans. McGovern, a decorated World War II B-24 pilot who flew 35 combat missions over North Africa and Europe, was an unabashed self-professed liberal. He won the Democrat presidential nomination in 1972 but l...
In a 7-2 ruling this morning, the State Supreme Court said the partial vetoes the Governor made in the 2019 transportation budget were unconstitutional. When issuing those vetoes the Governor said: “While my veto authority is generally limited to subsections or appropriation items in an appropriation bill, in this very rare and unusual circumstance I have no choice but to veto a single sentence in several subsections to prevent a constitutional violation and to prevent a f...
Lowering our flags to half-staff seems to be an all too familiar sight these days. It is a solemn act that recognizes our fallen heroes, whether they be men and women in our armed forces or a Vancouver police officer killed in the line of duty. It is a vivid reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by those who serve us. Unfortunately, after those flags return to the top of the pole and time passes, we tend to forget that the suffering for the friends and families continues....
Last Wednesday, the Seattle School Board was set to vote on a resolution asking the state of Washington to force public school students to be injected with a COVID-19 “vaccine” to attend school. The board, however, decided to press pause on pushing through the resolution in order to meet with “communities of color.” It is notable that in 2020, radical Democrats and corrupt media seemingly filled every day with their “Black Lives Matter” rallying cry, but have now fallen silent as they push a vaccine mandate. The Seattle Sch...
Your “freedom” not to mask nor vaccinate denies others their freedoms to stay safe and alive. Norm Luther Spokane...
Outgoing Cheney School Board members Marcie Estrellado and Suzanne Dolle, with 30 years of experience between them, have wisely led Cheney public schools through some of the most challenging times in recent educational history. They have served our schools, children, and families with thoughtfulness and integrity. My hope is that the newly elected board members will bring the same passion for education, compassion for kids and wisdom to the positions that their predecessors have provided. Carol Kriegh Chen...
In the aftermath of Nov. 1, I answered a knock at my door to discover dozens of students raking and bagging leaves in my front yard, sidewalk and driveway, as well as those of my neighbors on North Fifth Street. Cheerful, enthusiastic and energetic, it was inspiring to interact with the Cheney High School Key Club volunteers. The Cheney High School Key Club members are amazing. They are awesome! Andrea Kraft Cheney...
I am an old lady who walks daily, picks up litter and observes homes and businesses that proudly fly the American flag as I do. Several months ago, I observed a government office and a business with badly tattered flags. I wrote them asking if they knew that a ragged flag indicated a lack of respect for our country and should be replaced. I believe any Boy Scout troop would probably assist. The government office, the Cheney Police Department, had anew flag flying within a very short time. The men and women in the department...
So, it seems our dubious Republican Secretary of State Kim Wyman is moving on to bluer pastures. She is resigning mid-November, having been “tapped’ by the Biden Administration to oversee federal election security. She was elected by Washington voters to the partisan position she holds now as a “prefers Republican” candidate, but is jumping ship, to join a host of Democratic operatives inside the Biden White House. Many have called her a RINO — Republican in name only. She has consistently denied any election fraud in any el...
The days of scrambling to secure toilet paper are over. But the pandemic is continuing to wreak havoc on supply chains. Pet food is in short supply. Restaurants are warning customers that their favorite meals may not be on the menu. Then there’s the shortage of semi-conductor chips, which has raised the price and curbed the availability of medical devices. Waiting for a piece of medical equipment can be life-threatening. Our leaders must therefore make bolstering the medical supply chain a bigger priority. They can start b...
For years, Washington state masked its high business and regulatory costs with low-priced, reliable electricity --- lots of it. However, Tennessee packages low-cost, reliable electricity along with a very favorable business climate to lure new billion dollar auto industry investments. Today, costs of electricity are more important than ever and investors want CO2-free electricity at their facilities. Hydropower fits that requirement. As an example, Ford and SKI Innovative...
It’s no secret that Gov. Jay Inslee wants the removal of the four federal dams on the lower Snake River between Clarkston and the Tri-Cities. Back in December 2018, his proposed 2019-21 operating budget included $750,000 for a state study on breaching Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite dams. U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Dan Newhouse, officials from electric utilities, ports and groups representing agriculture and economic development all opposed the spending item for the dam-breaching study....
Earlier this month, the National School Boards Association sent a letter to President Biden complaining about the increased involvement of passionate parents at school board meetings. “The National School Boards Association (NSBA) respectfully asks for federal law enforcement and other assistance to deal with the growing number of threats of violence and acts of intimidation occurring across the nation,” the letter stated. Later in the letter, the co-signers linked parents to domestic terrorism — twice: “As these acts of...
The hair on my neck stood up when I heard Speaker of our House, Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., tell a member of the media that their job was to support her political agenda. Recalling the civics lessons that I had as a youth, I learned it is not the job or role of the press, in our society, to advocate a political position, but to provide factual information and to challenge those in power to defend their positions. Since I’ve not been in school for some time, I wondered if things have changed. I found the following passage on t...
Commentary earlier this month by Don Brunell frustrated me by his reasoning. He talked about Gov. Inslee’s ban on fossil fuels for new construction being “expensive for home and building owners, many of whom installed energy efficient natural gas heat pumps and tank-less water heaters.” Excuse me? The ban is for new construction, so it would not have any effect on the existing homes and other buildings. Then he talks about the cost of mitigating the carbon-dioxide and how reducing natural gas consumption will cause loss...
I endorse Shirley Maike for Medical Lake mayor. Shirley has the best experience and knowledge to keep the city going forward and operating in the black. I have watched Shirley work as a planning commissioner, as a council member and as a mayor. Terri Cooper doesn’t go to any city meeting unless she has a complaint. In July 2018, she complained to City Council about dogs, alcohol and disrespect in the park. She asked for the park and walking trail to be residents only. Now, she wants them to be for tourist. She also said s...
