Thurston shooting-zone briefing draws large, passionate crowd

Thurston County commissioners tabled any decisions about a controversial proposed controlled-shooting zone ordinance for two weeks during a Thursday briefing attended by more than 100 people.

Wood Stoves on Washington Legislature’s Hit List

House bill 2326 in Washington State proposes to outlaw wood stoves that officials think spew too much smoke. It’s not enough that we’re restricted in cutting the trees and energy prices are going through the roof, now the one mode of cheap heat left is being threatened by the EPA and state busy bodies.

Governor would rather see State Patrol troopers injured than Occupy Olympia protesters

Gregoire thinks altercations when special session opened and State Patrol troopers were injured should be the model for how efforts to close “Occupy” encampment should go

Critical-areas reviews uncommon but costly

Jimmie Howell, 72, and his wife have lived on their property near Rochester for more than two decades. Last year, Howell decided he wanted to put in a manufactured home for his son, Jay Howell, on the southern portion of his 4.8 acres.

But when Howell went to the county for a permit, a roadblock emerged in the shape of Mazama pocket gopher

The Freedom Foundation can provide activism training for your group.

If you want to think globally about free market solutions, personal responsibility, lower taxes, less regulation, and more freedom, let us help you act locally to achieve these ideals.  If you want to question authority and speak truth to power – let us help you be effective. 

Citizens Speak up Against Thurston County’s No Shooting Ordinance

Thurston County “listened,” and they changed the name to “Controlled Shooting” ordinance.  I guess Thurston County thinks that sounds better, and maybe they believe people won’t pay attention to what this ordinance actually does.  Change the name, and then everyone will think it is okay, regardless of what is written.

Pocket gopher not imperiled

A year ago, a few of us took up the cause to protect Thurston County citizens from the pointless regulations levied by the Thurston County Commissioners.

Informed Voter Guide 2011

It can be tricky to make the right decision when it comes to voting on an initiative. More often than not you don’t have enough information to make a confident choice either way. But now you can get the unbiased facts about the 2011 Washington initiatives by reading our Initiative Guide!

Governor would rather see State Patrol troopers injured than Occupy Olympia protesters

When does a protest simply become a nuisance?

Who really has skin in the wolf game?

One woman’s battle to keep liberty alive

Washington Supreme Court invalidates Mason County conservation assessment

Property owners win a victory at the Washington Supreme Court.

Today the Washington State Supreme Court delivered a win to four Mason County residents who disputed a special assessment that Mason County had levied on nonforest lands.

Free Speech? That’ll Cost You $1 Million

Local business owner Barney McClanahan sued the City of Tumwater for free speech violations after the city yanked a sign he posted in front of his business.  Tumwater argues that public safety concerns justify restrictions on free speech—that allowing signs such as the STOP Thurston County signs will result in killing children and handicapped persons. The city also demands that McClanahan post a $1,000,000 bond to indemnify the city against any injuries of fatalities.

Tumwater Man Sues City for Violation of Free Speech Rights

The Freedom Foundation files free speech lawsuit against the City of Tumwater on behalf of Barney McClanahan.

Kitsap Alliance of Property Owners v. Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board

Are Kitsap County’s marine shoreline buffer zones valid?

New Radio Free Washington Podcast recaps Obamacare event, tax day, no-hitter, and no-shooting

From Mariners baseball to shotgun pellets to Obamacare, the new Radio Free Washington podcast covers it all. Do lawmakers check the facts before regulating our lives, or do they just look for justifications for their own shortsighted good intentions? Is Trent getting old? What are the dumbest areas of federal spending? And recapping some great victories with a full house to hear good news from the Obamacare Supreme Court oral arguments (from someone who was there, in the courtroom) and Thurston County surrendering to duck hunters with a little backup from the Freedom Foundation.

DeBolt’s plan, I-1183, Occupiers, and Puget Sound Partnership—this week on Radio Free Washington

Blake Knoblauch and Scott Roberts discuss Richard DeBolt’s new plan to get Washington moving, I-1183—the liquor initiative, and Puget Sound Partnership.

ObamaCare, occupiers, and citizen heroes—this week on Radio Free Washington

Property Rights Director Scott Roberts tells us about two Washingtonians who turned the tables on government, including a victory in Spokane Valley and an ongoing fight in Thurston County. Before that, Blake and I parse the meaning of the Occupy Wall Street protests, which are fast becoming the Occupy This, That, and Wherever protests. And I admit to my own participation in health care rationing. Yes, I am my own death panel—and I like it that way. ObamaCare is headed to the Supreme Court, so keep it tuned to Radio Free Washington as we chart a course away from big government and toward big freedom.

This week’s RFW: a county pay-to-play scheme, our busted state budget, teachers paid for strike days

This week on Radio Free Washington, Blake and I talk with Eric Lohnes about the sad state of the state budget and the legislature’s upcoming November special session. Also on this week’s show, we talk Tacoma teachers and expose one of Washington’s counties that wants to charge citizens ... for having ideas.