Politics
County council asks for I-5 bridge safety analysis
In the wake of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Maryland on March 26, the Clark County Council is calling for a thorough safety analysis of the Interstate 5 […]
County council formally opposes bridge tolling
There are a lot of things county residents would like the proposed Interstate 5 replacement bridge to have – more travel lanes, a bike/pedestrian path, expanded capacity for rapid transit buses, etc. But there’s one thing the Clark County Council doesn’t want and that’s tolling. On Tuesday, the council unanimously approved a resolution voicing its […]
Resolution in support of 3rd, 4th bridges not far enough for Lentz
When it comes to planning and building for third and fourth bridges across the Columbia River into Oregon, the Clark County Council is passing the buck. At least that’s what […]
County council already eyeing third, fourth bridges
With efforts to replace the Interstate 5 Bridge barely off the ground, the Clark County Council is already looking ahead to additional bridges across the mighty Columbia River. At its Nov. […]
That new port race campaign finance law won’t go into effect for a little longer
Of the many glamorous perks of being a Columbian political reporter (such as having a drawer in my desk for snacks and usually bountiful supply of sporks in the break […]
Let the race begin
Tim Probst, who is running to replace Sen. Don Benton in Olympia, filed his personal financial statement late. And the Washington State Republican Party noticed. “Why is partisan Democrat Tim Probst trying to hide his six-figure government paycheck from the voters?” said WSRP Chair Susan Hutchison in a press release. “State law requires candidates to […]
JHB keeps quiet on Trump
House Speaker Paul Ryan said on Thursday he will vote for the GOP presumptive nominee Donald Trump. Previously, Ryan said he was “not ready” to back Trump, but reversed course writing in an editorial that “on the issues that make up (the Republican) agenda, we have more common ground than disagreement.” I wondered if this […]
Clinton wins WA
Hillary Clinton won the Washington state primary on Tuesday. Bernie Sanders overwhelmingly won the Washington state caucuses. The results from the Democratic primary will largely be ignored, but they could provoke a change in the system. As Melissa Santos with the News Tribune wrote, “almost three times as many Democrats had voted in the primary […]
Your vote counts … well, kind of
Every election season, there are those people who don’t bother to vote. They forget. They’re not inspired. They feel like their vote doesn’t matter. For once, they might have a point. Tonight is Washington state’s primary. The GOP presumptive nominee is Donald Trump, although Ted Cruz, Ben Carson and John Kasich remain on the ballot. And […]
Goodspace guy for governor?
Sam Kim, Clark County’s chief information officer, generated a buzz this week when the lifelong Republican filed to run as an “independent Democrat.” It was unusual that he was switching parties. But also, what is an independent Democrat? And he wasn’t the only one. Tim Probst, who is vying for Sen. Benton’s seat, and Kathy […]
Building bridges
Gov. Jay Inslee visited Vancouver’s future waterfront park on Wednesday and called it a center of economic expansion that will benefit the entire state. As Inslee walked along the river, the Interstate-5 bridge loomed in the background. Inslee said if he’s re-elected he will once again try to gain momentum for replacing the aging bridge. […]
Threats of apples flying again
When apple prices drop, the employees at the Vancouver Education Association know to prepare themselves. Chicken wire is already around all the windows. Crates are in front of the chicken wire, placed at a 45-degree angle, so when the apple comes flying through the air they hit the crate and bounce away from the building. […]
Socialist pizza
The Clark County Democrats’ 2016 convention last week was chaotic and lasted hours. The event was scheduled to end by 5 p.m. but ran past 9 p.m. As Stevie Mathieu reported, it started with a “burst of enthusiasm” but turned to “crankiness for many participants.” Throughout the state of Washington and surely other states, Democratic […]
Apple threats missing their target
Democratic Sen. Patty Murray is campaigning for her fifth term in Congress and, once again, the apple throwers are ready. It’s not the first time some of Murray’s opponents have encouraged throwing apples on rooftops of her supporters. But this time, they seem to be missing their target. “I’m a registered Republican,” said Lisa Schmidt, […]
Pew poll shows broad divide among GOP voters
A recent Pew Research Center report highlighted the divide that exists within the Republican party, saying the disagreements expose vastly different viewpoints on the way life in the United States has changed. The report states, “Among GOP voters, fully 75 percent of those who support Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination say life for […]