Opinion

What will it take to double Washington’s manufacturing sector?
Manufacturing is a bedrock of the state’s economy. It accounts for more than 300,000 jobs and approximately 11% of the...

Inslee’s natural gas ban is bad for prices, environment
Gov. Jay Inslee’s end run around the state Legislature banning natural gas in new homes and commercial buildings is a...

We’re heeding health officials’ advice for our fall expo
As the Tri-Cities grapples with rising Covid-19 cases again, we’re seeing more cancellations and postponements of community events. We’ve got...

Remote work helps drive growth in rural Washington
Back to school this year is, unfortunately, not a return to normal. As summer turns to fall, the Delta variant...

New law will ease burden of future long-term care needs
Many of us don’t think about or plan for long-term care until a crisis strikes or urgency forces our hand....

Long-term care tax is the wrong answer to a good question
Starting Jan. 1, more of your paycheck will go missing if you are a W2 worker in Washington. The state...

A common refrain plays again: vaccinate, social distance, wear masks
Mask up, folks. As the delta variant drives Covid-19 rates up to 2020 levels, the business community wonders what the...

New data offers a glimpse of Washington’s nascent pandemic recovery
In the fourth quarter of 2020, retail sales came roaring back in Wahkiakum County. The small county in southwest Washington...