Rob Natelson, Senior Fellow in Constitutional Jurisprudence at the Mountain States Policy Center, closes his series on the Declaration of Independence by tracing how its founding creed shaped Lincoln, the Constitution's ratification debate, and even the 1948 UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights — while warning that misuse of the document demands civic education. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-legacy-of-the-declaration-of-independence/ #DeclarationOfIndependence #NaturalRights #AmericanFounders #ConstitutionalLaw #RobNatelson #MountainStatesPolicyCenter #Opinion #ClarkCountyToday

Camas resident Anna Miller writes that FBI Director Kash Patel's task forces have rescued 7,500 children, captured eight of the FBI's 10 most wanted in 17 months, and are dismantling trafficking pipelines and encrypted predator rings nationwide. She also highlights NCMEC's warning about a surge in financial sextortion targeting minors. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-war-for-americas-children-has-begun-and-the-predators-are-losing/ #ChildTrafficking #FBI #KashPatel #ChildSafety #NCMEC #Sextortion #ClarkCounty #Camas #Opinion #LetterToTheEditor

Lars Larson calls Chief Justice John Roberts the deciding vote in a ruling he says allows presidential election ballots to be counted weeks after Election Day — a decision four conservative justices dissented from. Larson argues 14 states exploit the post-deadline window and points to the Los Angeles mayor's race as a recent example. His challenge to Congress: pass the SAVE Act or risk what he calls single-party rule. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-scotus-pond-scum-decides-late-election-ballots-do-count/ #Opinion #SCOTUS #SAVEAct #ElectionIntegrity #LarsLarson #LateBallots #Congress #VoterID #NorthwestNonsense #Politics

Washington collected $1.5 billion from capital gains taxes — roughly twice February's projection — nearly erasing an $878 million deficit. But budget writers warn the underlying fundamentals remain challenging, with a shortfall expected in the next two-year budget cycle. Gov. Ferguson says December's proposal will rely on cuts, not new taxes. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/business/capital-gains-tax-surge-eases-but-doesnt-solve-wa-budget-woes/ #WashingtonState #CapitalGainsTax #WABudget #StateBudget #TaxPolicy #WashingtonPolitics #FiscalPolicy #PNWNews #ClarkCounty

With WA Cares benefits set to launch, 61% of early applicants were denied — and family caregivers are being steered toward a union-linked employer with little transparency about costs, obligations, or alternatives. Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center says the state's communication failures are not accidental. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/wa-cares-ready-ish-to-launch-family-caregivers-remain-in-the-dark/ #WACares #LongTermCare #FamilyCaregivers #WashingtonState #HealthPolicy #SEIU775 #ClarkCounty #WashingtonPolicyCenter

The average Fourth of July cookout now costs about 4 percent more than last year, with West Coast families paying around $80 for a 10-person meal. But Pam Lewison of the Washington Policy Center notes farmers take home only about 6 cents of every dollar spent on that feast. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-fourth-of-july-cookout-costs-a-little-more-this-year/ #FourthOfJuly #FoodCosts #Agriculture #Inflation #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Opinion #IndependenceDay #Farming #AFBF #ClarkCountyToday

Clark County Councilor Michelle Belkot has endorsed Eileen Quiring O'Brien for Clark County Auditor, citing Quiring O'Brien's record as former Chair of the Clark County Council and her focus on government transparency and accountability. Belkot represents District 2 on the Clark County Council. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-councilor-michelle-belkot-endorses-eileen-quiring-obrien-for-clark-county-auditor/ #ClarkCounty #ClarkCountyAuditor #EileenQuiringOBrien #MichelleBelkot #ClarkCountyCouncil #Transparency #Accountability #Vancouver #WashingtonState #LocalPolitics

Thirteen of Clark County's leading heritage organizations will gather at the Clark County Historical Museum on July 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a free public fair at 1511 Main Street in downtown Vancouver. From the Clark County Genealogical Society to Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, attendees can explore local history, volunteer opportunities, and America 250 programming all in one place. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-heritage-organizations-unite-for-free-community-heritage-fair-on-july-11/ #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #HeritageOrganizationFair #America250 #ClarkCountyHistoricalMuseum #LocalHistory #HistoricPreservation #WashingtonState #CommunityNews #FreeEvent

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Clark County resident Bogdan Lendel argues the $14-plus billion I-5 Bridge proposal rebuilds the same corridor bottleneck without solving the region's core problem: too few Columbia River crossings. He calls for a third crossing to create true redundancy and network flexibility. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-region-does-not-just-need-a-prettier-i-5-bridge/ #I5Bridge #ClarkCounty #ColumbiaRiver #Transportation #VancouverWA #Infrastructure #BridgeReplacement #TransportationPlanning #Opinion #WashingtonState

Vancouver leaders pushed C-TRAN to plan fixed rail beyond the Interstate Bridge project, two Washington Supreme Court justices face recusal calls over income tax ties to Gov. Bob Ferguson, and Camas Days returns July 25-26 with a Broadway theme. Fireworks sales begin June 28 as fire officials warn of elevated wildfire danger. URLHERE #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #Camas #Transportation #LightRail #CTRAN #IncometTax #CamasDays #Fireworks #WashingtonState