Weekly Columns and Op-Eds

America’s small businesses took a beating during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many in Central Washington were lost to the economic disaster that followed. Upon the economy’s reopening, small businesses were optimistic about a fruitful recovery, but instead were met with the highest inflation seen in this country in over forty years due to the Biden Administration’s economic policies.

Over a month after Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel and her people, both parties have agreed to a deal on hostage and prisoner exchanges, and a ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. While civilians will receive food, water, and emergency care amid the exchange negotiations, Hamas’ radical indoctrination of antisemitism will continue to spread.

Since day one in the White House, President Biden has touted that his administration would promote “the most ambitious climate change agenda in history” and “expand affordable clean energy to every American.” While this is a talking point we continuously hear from both the President’s campaign and at the White House’s daily press briefings, I fear President Biden has a misunderstanding of how we can actually achieve the clean energy future he talks about.

Veterans Day approaches, and while Congress continues its Constitutional duty of passing Appropriations bills this week, it is important we also take time to honor those who have served.

This past Monday marked the first in-person public comment session on introducing grizzlies to the North Cascades. There, I expressed my firm opposition to the establishment of a nonessential experimental population of grizzlies in our area that would effectively threaten farmland, livestock, and human lives. I was proud to join hundreds of my fellow Washingtonians in demanding we be heard on this out-of-touch proposal.

Fentanyl has impacted every community in America, underscoring the critical need for immediate action, and unfortunately, our state has not been excluded from this crisis.