Don C. Brunell

People coming together is silver lining to Hurricane Harvey | Brunell

All of the things that went wrong in New Orleans with Hurricane Katrina in 2005 appear to have been corrected with Houston’s recent Hurricane Harvey.… Continue reading

Mitigate massive wildfires danger | Brunell

At last count firefighters were battling 82 major wildfires in 10 Western States. The fires have already scorched 2,300 square miles of forests and range… Continue reading

Impact of Hirst decision must be addressed | Brunell

In Washington, the legislative stalemate over permitting new household wells and the state’s construction budget has not only delayed needed funding for public projects, but… Continue reading

Players taking a knee hurting the NFL | Brunell

On a recent Saturday afternoon in Portland, a young woman stepped onto the playing field at the beginning of the University of Montana vs. Portland… Continue reading

Amazon’s plan reminiscent of Boeing’s Chicago move | Brunell

Amazon’s plan reminiscent of Boeing’s Chicago move | Brunell

Last year, Seattle Times aerospace reporter Dominic Gates wrote about the similarities and differences between Boeing’s corporate office move to Chicago and Amazon’s plan for… Continue reading

Amazon’s plan reminiscent of Boeing’s Chicago move | Brunell

Tax policy changes must be carefully crafted and coordinated | Brunell

Key tax policies emanating from the East and West coasts are like passenger trains passing one another heading in opposite directions. One train is loaded… Continue reading

Dan Evans would serve America well | Brunell

Dan Evans would serve America well | Brunell

Recently, family, friends and dignitaries gathered at Hurricane Ridge near Port Angeles to celebrate the designation of the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness at Olympic National… Continue reading

Dan Evans would serve America well | Brunell
Sudden deaths took a trio of state’s business and ag leaders | Brunell

Sudden deaths took a trio of state’s business and ag leaders | Brunell

So far this year, a trio of unexpected deaths has shocked Washington business and agriculture. Melanie Dressel, Ron Reimann and Jeff Brotman leave behind large… Continue reading

Sudden deaths took a trio of state’s business and ag leaders | Brunell
Oregon lawmakers are a step closer to passing a large transportation package that could bring rush-hour tolls to interstates 5 and 205, among other new taxes and fees to improve the state’s declining infrastructure. COURTESY PHOTO

Race to toll likely to clip Washington drivers | Brunell

In 2014, President Barrack Obama opened the door for states to collect tolls on interstate highways. This year Oregon lawmakers, much to the chagrin of… Continue reading

Oregon lawmakers are a step closer to passing a large transportation package that could bring rush-hour tolls to interstates 5 and 205, among other new taxes and fees to improve the state’s declining infrastructure. COURTESY PHOTO

Forest landowners prove cooperation works | Brunell

The state’s largest environmental, wildlife and natural resources agencies recently recognized 43 large forest landowners for their “exemplary efforts” to upgrade forest roads and stream… Continue reading

Abundant natural gas is giant step toward energy independence | Brunell

In the last half century, Americans yearned for energy independence. We were tired of being held captive by foreign governments – some of which continue… Continue reading

Searching for words that unite us | Brunell

Two days before last year’s presidential election, Frank Luntz walked away from a CBS 60 Minutes focus group leaving people uncontrollably screaming at one another.… Continue reading

Refocusing climate debate to practical solutions | Brunell

Refocusing climate debate to practical solutions | Brunell

Debating whether it was wrong for President Trump to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord negotiations is never ending. Both sides… Continue reading

Refocusing climate debate to practical solutions | Brunell

Connecticut comeuppance | Brunell

Recently, the Wall Street Journal editorialized that Connecticut’s elected officials are getting their “comeuppance” for years of absorbingly high taxes, failing to implement state spending… Continue reading

Remembering Mike Lowry, a genuine man | Brunell

Remembering Mike Lowry, a genuine man | Brunell

There was nothing pretentious about Mike Lowry. What you saw is what you got. Lowry was one of Washington’s most colorful governors. He served one… Continue reading

Remembering Mike Lowry, a genuine man | Brunell
Customer satisfaction is job one | Brunell

Customer satisfaction is job one | Brunell

It may take United Airlines years to overcome the public relations nightmare of a doctor being dragged off an overbooked flight by Chicago police. That… Continue reading

Customer satisfaction is job one | Brunell
Distractive driving goes beyond the law | Brunell

Distractive driving goes beyond the law | Brunell

While state lawmakers work to bridge major differences in the budget, they agreed our distractive driving laws need stiffening. Companion bills sponsored by Sen. Ann… Continue reading

Distractive driving goes beyond the law | Brunell