It's time to open our economy and trust people

OLYMPIA — I have been advocating, since last spring, for a local approach to reopening our economy. I trust my local health departments and locally elected county officials to do the right thing for health and safety far more than I do Gov. Inslee or any other bureaucrat in Olympia.

In addition, the governor’s Phase 1 and Phase 2 “regional” approach to reopening Washington ignores the unique needs, makeup and habits of rural areas. Despite numerous letters and pleas from legislators, Inslee has chosen a very top-down approach to dealing with our economy, health, and the survivability – or lack...