By Don C. BrunellToo often, elected officials overlook the cumulative costs of regulations, taxes and fees on taxpayers; however, it comes back to bite them hard when people move, or take matters into their own hands by initiative.Consider what is happening in high-tax and cost-of-living states, such as California, New...

By Andrew KirkThose who graduated from college or a university this year could expect to make on average about $50,000 for their first year of work, according to several independent national surveys.They could also expect, on average, to have about that much in student debt.Those working in the construction trades...

By Andrew KirkAt statehood, the federal government granted Washington millions of acres of land to be managed for the support of public schools, including universities. Today, it, along with other lands dedicated to different state needs, is managed by the state Department of Natural Resources.A portion of the 1 million...

By D. Patrick JonesTo what degree will the Tri-Cities participate in the knowledge economy well underway this century? First, a quick definition: a knowledge economy is one where a large number of jobs exploit brainpower. We need to look no further than King County to see what this kind of economy looks like. In the economists’ taxonomy of jobs, where there’s...

By Kris JohnsonWashington makes some really cool things.We’re famous for many of them—airplanes, apples, software, wheat and more. The state’s iconic manufacturers established the foundation that our recent economic expansion is built upon.But there are many medium and small manufacturers that fewer people know about. The fishing rod manufacturer in...

By Andrew KirkA proposed housing development could increase West Richland’s population by about 15 percent.The Heights at Red Mountain Ranch will add 563 single-family residential lots on 148 acres with the option of later adding 226 multi-family homes on 36 more acres.The first phase of the 10-phase project—expected to begin this...

By Andrew KirkPlans for a public market at the Port of Pasco wharf next to the cable bridge hit a snag, but the idea is not dead in the water, said Gary Ballew, the port’s director of economic development and marketing.The port recently completed a detailed inspection of the wharf,...

By Andrew KirkA major milestone has been reached at the massive radioactive waste treatment plant under construction at the Hanford nuclear reservation.Treatment of low-level waste—which makes up 90 percent of what’s in the aging tanks at the Hanford site—is scheduled to begin in 2023. That was the message during the...

By Andy PerdueAs Washington grape growers and winemakers prepare for the 2019 harvest, they’re looking forward to a vintage with high quality, lots of grapes and a long, warm slide into autumn. Andy Perdue,Wine Press NorthwestWineries such as Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Barnard Griffin already brought in some grapes...

By D. Patrick JonesWhat do we know about the presence of young professionals in the Tri-City area workforce? From a data perspective, not enough.But first let’s define our terms. D. Patrick Jones,Eastern Washington University’s Institute for Public Policy & Economic AnalysisWhat constitutes “young,” for example? Data to answer that question...