Cheney Free Press -

Democrats in Washington’s Legislature traditionally haven’t been shy about raising taxes. This legislative session is no different. In fact, there are several Democrat-sponsored proposals that would increase existing taxes or... — Updated 3/4/2021

The Feb. 11 article in the Cheney Free Press entitled “Occupancy, water conservation ordinances head to council,” brings the following question to my mind: How can the city check to see that occupancy rules are being followed?... — Updated 2/25/2021

The dominant view of China in both Washington and in American public opinion is that the United States faces an increasingly ruthless Chinese leadership, requiring that U.S. policy restrain if not contain China’s malevolent... — Updated 2/25/2021

Monday marked an event I never dreamed I would see in my lifetime. Somewhere in the late morning, the United States crossed the threshold of 500,000 of our fellow American men and women killed by the coronavirus. If you had told... — Updated 2/25/2021

I’ve spent my career fighting for vulnerable patients, especially people of color. So I was ecstatic to hear about a new initiative from dozens of biotech companies. These firms pledged to enroll more people of color in... — Updated 2/18/2021

We are fast approaching the halfway point of the 2021 legislative session. There have been some challenges conducting business as usual for the Legislature during this unusual time in our lives. The governor’s decision to close o... — Updated 2/18/2021

As children, we hear many insightful stories that are simple, but often full of meaning. The one mentioned above seems to resonate with what is happening in our country today. Right before our eyes, we are seeing over and over... — Updated 2/18/2021

Democracy needs input from citizens to thrive, but figuring out how to share your voice and have an impact on government can be challenging. Whether you are interested in federal, state, or local policy, you can interact directly... — Updated 2/18/2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact in America. This devastation, in my opinion, is a direct result of a lack of resources. As good folks have been losing jobs and small businesses while waiting for a stimulus check... — Updated 2/11/2021

People are manipulated through fear. Fear of Saddam Hussein. Fear of terrorism. Fear of climate change. Fear of the corona virus. The politicians and the media, with the help of academia and other recipients of money from the... — Updated 2/11/2021

The meltdown at the state Department of Employment Security ought to teach us a lesson. It’s easy for government to create problems, not so easy for the Legislature to come back in and clean up the mess. We ought to keep this in... — Updated 2/11/2021

Why are Roger Harnack’s opinion pieces labeled as news articles instead of being in the editorial section (“Gov. Inslee keeps Eastern Washington locked down,” Cheney Free Press online, Jan. 21, 2021). Terms like “so... — Updated 2/5/2021

For a young man, Conner Mertens has had quite an impactful life. Most people know Conner as the brave, vocal activist who made headlines by being the first openly LGBTQ college-football player as a freshman kicker at Willamette... — Updated 2/5/2021

It’s that time of year again. The envelope arrived this week and it’s time to approve spending on the public education system. This year I am voting no. Looking at the numbers as reported by State Superintendent of Public... — Updated 1/28/2021

My husband and I, both having gone to school in Medical Lake, could provide countless examples as to how the school levies helped support us directly over the years through academics and athletics. The unconditional support... — Updated 1/28/2021

I just received my ballot for the upcoming levy for the Cheney School District so I am urging everyone to vote yes for this levy. Last year we paid $1.42 per $1,000 in assessed property value for one of the levies and paid 45... — Updated 1/28/2021

To the Medical Lake Community: Many peers and I value the activities the levy affects, for many reasons it should be supported. My personal experience as a student has been shaped by many resources and activities such as Chromebook... — Updated 1/28/2021

It is that time again, where we as citizens get a chance to vote on an upcoming levy to support the Medical Lake School District. This levy was last approved in 2018, so it is not a new one that will increase our costs, but a vote... — Updated 1/28/2021

As much as we would love to see an end to impaired driving and with it, the need to keep sponsoring DUI legislation, we unfortunately know there is still much work to be done. Last week the Senate Law and Justice Committee heard... — Updated 1/28/2021

I am writing in support of the Feb. 9, 2021 Replacement Levy for the Cheney School District. This levy is vital to our community in the continuation of services, programs and facility improvements to provide high quality... — Updated 1/28/2021

I am a retired Cheney Middle School teacher who worked for the Cheney School District for 30 years and in education for a total of 38 years. I have been involved with our local school district for the last five years with various... — Updated 1/21/2021

When my husband, Rich, retired from the Air Force 28 years ago, we intentionally moved back to Cheney because we wanted our two daughters to attend Cheney public schools. I think other people move into our district for similar... — Updated 1/21/2021

There’s an old story about Elizabeth Willing Powel, the wife of the Philadelphia mayor, asking Benjamin Franklin, as he left the Constitutional Convention, “Doctor, what have we got? A republic or a monarchy?” To which Ben Fr... — Updated 1/21/2021