Commentary

Comment: Lawmakers must protect abortion access in state

Proposed cuts to the Abortion Access Project come as federal attacks on funding have intensified.

Comment: State must step up work to keep air we breathe clean

Air pollution is a bigger problem in Washington state than many may realize. That needs to change.

Comment: Social Security shield we need from volatile markets

After what we’ve seen this month from markets, we should guard the stability Old Age Insurance offers.

Comment: Elon Musk’s DOGE has proved ‘omnigenius’ as a myth

As in finance, past performance in one field isn’t a guarnatee of success in another.

Comment: To win Senate back, Democrats need ‘combative centrists’

Progressives won’t like it, but a more moderate message is needed to fight and then defeat Trump.

Comment: Can’t let pundits’ rabid defense of global trade war pass

As conservative commentators breathlessly defended Trump’s tariffs, he was already preparing to punt.

Comment: U.S. national security is getting ‘Loomered’

That a conspiracy theorist can easily convince Trump to toss long-trusted advisers is alarming.

Comment: BPA should rethink decision affecting ratepayers

The electricity provider’s move to join an Arkansas-based market could prove costly to PUD ratepayers.

Comment: A second look at White House’s Supreme Court ‘wins’

That’s the thing about court opinions; you have to actually read them to understand them.

FLE — Workers make plush toys at Dongguan Yarunli Toys in Dongguan, China on March 19, 2025. For some companies, the uncertainty around the Trump administration’s so-called reciprocal tariffs have had the unexpected effect of making China an even more appealing place to produce in and buy from, eliminating some of the motivation to diversify production elsewhere in Asia. (Qilai Shen/The New York Times)

Comment: Trade deficit isn’t the crisis Trump makes it out to be

The imbalance in trade with other countries isn’t a loss for the U.S.; it’s a sign of our economic strength.

FLE — Workers make plush toys at Dongguan Yarunli Toys in Dongguan, China on March 19, 2025. For some companies, the uncertainty around the Trump administration’s so-called reciprocal tariffs have had the unexpected effect of making China an even more appealing place to produce in and buy from, eliminating some of the motivation to diversify production elsewhere in Asia. (Qilai Shen/The New York Times)

Comment: ‘No’ a tough but necessary call on Edmonds fire vote

How best to provide fire and EMS services to the city requires more study and consideration.

Comment: Congress should add cancer test to Medicare coverage

A new blood screening test can find cancers earlier, improving outcomes. Make it part of Medicare.

Comment: Study needed of split in taxes charged alcohol products

Canned cocktails with similar alcohol volume are levied different taxes, based on how they’re made.

Comment: Companies should enforce ‘term limits’ on tech titans

The longer they are in control, the more their reality-distortion fields affect their judgment.

Comment: Trade war will make us hotter, dirtier and poorer

Trump’s tariffs will cede clean tech innovation to China and others that will be difficult to rebuild.

Comment: How Colin Powell might react to Pentagon’s DEI purge

The child of Jamaican immigrants, Powell saw more power to motivate in optimism than in fear.

Comment: Large law firms must stand against Trump’s threats

Lawyers are critical to the judicial system’s checks. That withers if they bow to Trump to protect their firms.

Comment: Loss of funding for homeless youth would be costly

If state funding isn’t preserved, recent progress will be lost and costs elsewhere will increase.

Comment: The struggle to guide masculinity of boys, young men

Boys will always be boys, but now they’re dealing with indifference on one side and toxic messages on the other.

Comment: Why extending Trump tax cuts could bring more potholes

One way of ‘paying’ for the cuts would be ending municipal bonds’ tax-free status, making them less profitable.