Reason needed in wake of tragic, preventable death
When a nurse refused to do CPR on a woman it spurred support for laws mandating emergency care. That’s not something that can, or should, be mandated.
Public outrage over a preventable death often leads to loud calls for change in the laws. But sometimes new legislation — particularly when driven by emotion — often causes far more problems than it addresses.
Paid family leave is too expensive and ill timed
The state government is again facing a $1 billion budget gap. Now is not the time for taxpayers to subsidize family leave.
Timing is everything. Yet, the Democrats who control the state House can’t — or won’t — grasp that seeking a tax increase to fund any new program is horrible timing.
Collecting DNA samples just like fingerprints
The collection of DNA samples at the time of arrest has been challenged. The US Supreme Court is expeced to rule on the case.
When people suspected of crimes are arrested they are usually fingerprinted. Is that a violation of their constitutional rights?
Make supermajority to raise taxes part of state constitution
The state high court struck down the law requiring a two-thirds tax vote as unconstitutional. That makes changing the constitution the best option
A majority of Washington state voters — close to 64 percent in November — favor requiring approval of two-thirds of the Legislature to raise taxes. So, too, do we.
C. Everett Koop leaves legacy of better health
When C. Everett Koop — a religious and conservative pediatric surgeon with mustache-less beard — was appointed U.S. surgeon general by President Reagan in late 1981, Americans had no idea how his service would positively affect their health.
Frank discussion of failed Wa-Hi bond sets right tone
About 60 citizens, for and against the $48 million Wa-Hi bond, had an honest and civil discussion about Wa-Hi's future.
The Walla Walla School District made significant progress on its quest to find a plan to begin improving Walla Walla High School facilities the community can agree on.
It's time to end draft registration
It will save America $24 million a year and make it unnecessary to wade into the issue of whether women should be eligible for a military draft.
Now that women serving in the U.S. military are eligible to serve in combat, should females be required to register for the draft when they turn 18?
School Board must build consensus with new Wa-Hi plan
That must start at Tuesday’s public meeting by listening to opponents and proponents of the failed Feb. 12 bond
Walla Walla School Board members are taking a bold step in putting a Walla Walla High School bond back on the table just weeks after it was rejected by voters.
Zero-tolerance policies go too far
Reasonable people can — and do — disagree on what steps should be taken to protect school children from horrific incidents such as the Newtown massacre.
Stricter divorce laws not needed
Extending the waiting period for divorce from 90 days to a year won’t save marriages, just force bad marriages to last a little longer.
Republicans often decry — and usually for good reason — how government has become too intrusive in our lives. Laws and policies have turned this country into a nanny state that’s overprotective or interfering when it comes to personal choices of its citizens.
Panetta stumbles with new techno warfare medal
Giving a medal for cyber warfare is acceptable, but it shouldn't be ranked higher than medals awarded to heroes on the ground in harm's way.
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta blundered last week when he announced the Pentagon has created a medal specifically for those who wage war with technology.
Plan to allow partial property-tax payments solid
Shouldn’t government work with taxpayers to resolve issues such as late payments?
Once again, state parks need funding
And, once again, money is tough to come by. There are no easy answers, just tough decisions.
Walla Walla City Council should adopt attendance policy
Council member Shane Laib has taken a temporary job in Olympia, which triggered concern and debate about missing meetings.
The Walla Walla City Council would be wise to adopt a policy outlining appropriate reasons for Council members to miss meetings.
Ending mail delivery on Saturdays is prudent move
The US Postal Service must find ways to reduce costs so it can remain in operation.
The U.S. Postal Service is no longer the most affordable means of long-distance comunication as it was when Benjamin Franklin established it in 1775 by decree of the Continental Congress, but it nevertheless remains a relevant and important service in America.
New Wa-Hi plan must be built on consensus
The $69.6 million proposal to overhaul Walla Walla High School was not approved Tuesday, but Wa-Hi’s facility problems are not gone — and will only grow worse over time.
Congress needs to discuss US marijuana laws
Marijuana is now legal to possess and to smoke except, of course, when it’s not legal.
Election Day is Tuesday! Cast your ballot
Regardless of your stand on the Wa-Hi bond, it is important to have your voice heard. Vote!
The time to vote is here.
Heritage Center important project, but not vital
The state needs to postpone work on building the center until the economy improves.
Legislature shouldn’t tamper with parents’ rights
The state has no business overruling parents on which relatives are allowed to visit their children.
Without a doubt, it is an extremely sad situation when extended families are torn apart — when disagreement and discord result in grandparents being kept from spending time with their grandchildren.
Fixing I-937 should curb rapid power rate increases
The initiative forces utilities to buy renewable energy except hydropower, which is the source of most of Washington’s energy.
Electricity isn’t the only thing shocking being generated by Pacific Power. The power company’s request this month for a 14.1 percent increase in rates has put a jolt into more than a few of its customers in the Walla Walla area.
Public discussion of library services in Valley needed
The Rurual Library District Board of Trustees is moving ahead with plans to build a central library while keeping the public out of the process.
A town hall meeting to discuss the future of libraries in the Walla Walla Valley is past due. It’s too bad a fine can’t be imposed for failing to fully involve the public in this important issue.
Political games over White House appointments not serving country
Important positions in the government remain unfilled over political ideology.
The political gamesmanship between the White House and the Senate over appointments of senior federal officials has gotten out of hand. It’s creating unnecessary trauma and drama within the U.S. government.
Focus on fiscal restraint has public benefits
After four years of carving away raises, benefits and jobs, state workers (and their families) are frustrated with the Legislature. So, too, is the public as functions of government have been reduced or eliminated.
Think before pressing send! Internet is a powerful tool
Facebook and other social media can be fun, interesting, educational — and dangerous.
Universities should have leeway to charge more for expensive programs
It is one way to help public universities cover costs as state subsidy is reduced.
Not long ago state lawmakers gave the green light to a reasonable stop-gap measure aimed at helping public universities continue to offer quality programs in the midst of state budget cuts.
Should lawmakers have clothes dry-cleaned on taxpayers' dime?
Elected officials aren’t particularly popular these days as the nation and state suffer serious money problems. Talk of tax hikes and deep budget cuts are everywhere, and none of it makes taxpayers happy.
‘No budget, no pay’ might get Senate moving
House Republicans aim to either get Senate Democrats to take action or embarrass them.
The members of Congress have brought the cries of “no budget, no pay” on themselves.
Paid family leave is nice idea, but unaffordable
The state approved family leave six years ago but has yet to fund it. The state plan should be eliminated. A federal law on family leave is already in effect.
Paid family leave from a job is a wonderful concept. After all, who could object to a mother and father spending five to 12 weeks with a newborn child without having to worry about money?
Lifting ban on women in combat is right call
This should help, not hurt, the military as long as the standards to serve in combat are not lowered.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta lifted the U.S. military’s ban on women serving in combat last week, but it doesn’t mean this nation will soon lose its first woman in battle.
Effort to make PDC more effective worthy of support
The state’s Public Disclosure Commission plays a key role in our government. It serves as the election watchdog to ensure the public knows who contributes to campaigns and what candidates do with that money.
Traffic cameras could have limited use investigating serious crimes
But if changes are made to the law, search warrants must be obtained and the investigation must be specific.
Traffic cameras have little to do with driver safety and a lot to do with boosting revenue for local governments through hefty fines for running red lights.
Looks like the Sonics are back
When the Seattle SuperSonics were stolen from Washington state by the team’s double-crossing owner, Clay Bennett, it was wrong.
Strike up the band! Summer musical is back
When the Fort Walla Walla Amphitheater went dark last summer, it looked as if summer musicals were gone. But now the summer tradition will continue.
When Walla Walla Community College canceled its outdoor summer musical at the Fort Walla Walla Amphitheater, many — including us — feared it was gone for good.
Renovation of Wa-Hi necessary
We urge voters to approve the $48 million bond to fund the $69.6 million project.
Walla Walla High School, after 50 years, still looks like a picture on a postcard. Yellowhawk Creek flows through the middle of a campus where red brick buildings are surrounded by green grass and tall trees.
Prepaid tuition program is no longer working
Washington state’s GET program can’t keep up with the rising costs of tuition. It is now underfunded by $631 million.
Washington state’s Guaranteed Education Tuition program seemed to be a great way to help parents save for their children’s college costs when it began in 1998.
Democrats must try to work with Majority Coalition
Senate Democrats aren’t happy the new coalition has taken power from them, but sulking isn’t productive.
The transfer of power in the state Senate — from the Democrats to the new Majority Coalition of 23 Republicans and two Democrats — was swift, orderly and uneventful as the lawmakers settled into the Capitol for a 105-day session on Monday.
Adding noise to electric cars will save lives
Government regulations seems to be the punching bag du jour. And there is no question that, at times, regulators are a bit too overzealous.
Traffic fines must be applied equally for all
Is “driving while poor” a crime?
Health-care workers wise to get flu shots
But firing doctors and nurses who refuse the vaccine for personal reasons goes too far.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns this year’s flu outbreak is “expected to be among the worst in a decade.”
WSU football coach being cleared boosts public trust
WSU’s president made the right call to have abuse charges against coach Mike Leach thoroughly investigated.
Washington State University’s football program and its brash coach, Mike Leach, were cleared of allegations of physical, emotional and verbal abuse of a player.
Offer by higher ed to freeze tuition worth discussing
The double-digit tuition increases year after year can’t continue.
Tuition at most of Washington state’s universities and colleges has been going up in the neighborhood of 15 percent a year. That’s a neighborhood that’s getting too rich for a growing number of Washingtonians.
Testing for pot in drivers’ blood is invasive act
So is it legal without a warrant? The high court is pondering that question, and the answer will impact Washington state.
Should police have the authority to draw blood from motorists stopped for being suspected of driving under the influence without a search warrant?
State's boost in minimum wage is positive in bad economy
Many jobs calling for skilled workers are paying minimum wage. The extra cash helps some survive.
Washington state’s minimum wage went up 15 cents on New Year’s Day, bringing it to $9.19 an hour — the highest in the nation.
Football fans shouldn't have to endure drunks
The high consumption of alcohol and a reduction in civility is taking the enjoyment out of going to professional -- even college -- football games.
Seahawks' season has a magical feeling
Fans are -- and should be -- optimistic heading into the playoffs.
The Seattle Seahawks are on a hot streak -- and we mean white hot -- as they head into Sunday's first-round playoff game against the Washington Redskins. It feels like this could be the year the Seahawks win it all.
Washingtonians gain from fiscal-cliff bill
When the nation avoided going over the fiscal cliff on New Year’s Day, Washington state taxpayers received a pleasant — but deserved — bonus. Congress reinstated the sales-tax deduction on income taxes for 2012 and 2013.
House wisely avoids economic meltdown
The last minute (literally) approval of the compromise tax plan to avoid the fiscal cliff had to be done.
Base tax code on 'fair share'
‘Taxes” is a four-letter word.
Court lacks power to set funding for basic education
The Washington Supreme Court recently rapped the Legislature’s knuckles for not moving fast enough to beef up funding for basic education.
