Olympia

Colfax Republican Joe Schmick says rural patients may not have a choice from where they get their prescription drugs, and he’s looking to change that.   He noted this past summer, the Washington Public Employee Benefit Board as well as the School Employee Benefit Board approved Kaiser Permanente as a health insurance provider.  He said ...

Several key ag issues have taken center stage during the current Washington legislative session.  But is the farming community getting a fair shake in Olympia?   No, says Ritzville senator, Mark Schoesler.   He noted the 2022-2021 session was horrible for Washington’s farming community, but this session isn’t much better thanks to the deaf ear the ag community has received.  He pointed to the Cap

Farm workers and their advocates say they won't’ be silenced, after two Washington state Senators allegedly manipulated testimony during a hearing in Olympia.  According to Save Family Farming, state Senator Rebecca Saldaña, began translating the testimony of Spanish-speaking workers into English, and reportedly manipulated those words and adding her own editorializing comments during a Senate Lab

Farmers across Washington continue trying to adjust their books as Ag overtime has thrown another wrinkle in the day-to-day operations of farming.  Derek Sandison, Director of the Washington state Department of Agriculture, said in his conversations with producers across the state, the reaction has been mixed.   “...

There are several key issues the Washington farming community is watching during the current legislative session in Olympia.  Two of the top issues are the Cap and Trade fees being assessed to farmers and food movers, as well as the implementation of overtime in agriculture.  State S...

Despite assurances it would not happen when proposed by Governor Jay Inslee and cleared by the Washington legislature in 2021, cap-and-trade is impacting farmers across the Evergreen State.  While farmers and those that transport food are to be exempt from the 40 cent per gallon tax, many have been paying it since implementation January 1st.  In resp...

A Washington state lawmaker has introduced legislation to provide fuel rebates to farmers impacted by new climate policies.  When Governor Jay Inslee’s cap-and-trade bill passed two years ago, it contained an exemption for fuel used to produce and transport farm goods.  However, seve...

Over the last two legislative sessions, whenever the farming community heard about a new Riparian Bill coming from Olympia, concerns and worries started to grow.  But, this time, it could be different, so says state Representative Tom Dent.   ...

Farmers and producers across Washington could be paying higher fuel prices than they should.  The state’s Climate Commitment Act, or cap-and-trade, went into effect January 1st, establishing a cap on emissions and creating a carbon tax of around 40 cents per gallon.  While farmers...

Since 2008 the gray wolf population across Washington has grown nearly 28%, annually.  And despite that continual increase, the wolves remain on the endangered list.  State Representative Joel Kretz would like to give northeast Washington counties the ability to delist the wolf.  The Wauconda area...