mark schoesler

The 2020 Washington legislative session got underway Monday in Olympia.  For senator Mark Schoesler, a Ritzville area wheat farmer, he said his push this short session when it comes to agriculture is “do no harm”   He said he’s concerned that several proposals and ideas will have a negative impact on rural Washingtonians.  For example, he pointed o...

During the Columbia Basin Development League’s 55th annual meeting Tuesday, the organization honored state senator Mark Schoesler.  The Ritzville Republican received the Perseverance Award for what the league called “his longtime legislative efforts on behalf of communities and irrigators in the basin area”.   “The league c...

The consulting firm looking at how removing the Snake River dams could impact the Central and Eastern Washington economies have announced workshops to discuss the proposal.  Hearings were initially scheduled for Vancouver and Clarkston for early next year; the exact dates were not given.  Ho...

The Agriculture and Forestry Education Foundation has selected its 42nd AgForestry Leadership Class.  Each year a variety of people from across the state of Washington, from across Ag, Forestry and Natural Resources are selected for an 18-month leadership and development program.  Pr...

It's Fair season across the Inland Northwest. Washington state Senator Mark Schoesler, a fifth-generation wheat farmer in Ritzville, says fairs are important to farmers and non-farmers a like. “Fairs are part of our rich agricultural heritage, with great entertainment and learning opportunities that are good for the entire family.” ...

This weekend, the Washington Legislature passed a State transportation budget that includes a little more than $11 million for highway 26 in Whitman County.  Not only is this an extremely busy and important roadway for farmers across the Palouse and Central Washington, it's also important for those associated with Washington State University.  ...

After a lot of back and forth, lawmakers in Olympia have cleared legislation that will save the Livestock ID program.  The state run program has been in the red the past couple of years to a tune of $500,000 annually.  Senate Bill 5959 sponsored by Moses Lake Republican Judy Warnick increased the number of members of the Livestock Identification Advisory Committee, changes certain types of fees fo

Applications are now being accepted for AgForestry Leadership Class 42.  Each year up to 24 people are selected for the 18-month program, which consists of 11 seminars throughout the Evergreen state, one week learning about National Government in Washington D.C. a...

Along party lines, the Washington state Senate approved legislation allowing the state Employment Security Department to charge farmers that use the H2-A program.  The bill would allow ESD to charge up to $500 to apply for H-2A workers and up to $75 per head. Tha...

In the Washington state Legislature, Friday was the cutoff deadline to have bills clear committee allowing for a vote on the floor.  So, how have Republicans and Democrats worked together in Olympia so far this session?   “I think it’s below the level it was when the majority level caucus was running the senate," said Senate republican leader Mark Schoesler.  "It kept everyone a... Read