House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox (R – Yelm) is this week’s Newsmaker Interview. Wilcox provides his thoughts on the upcoming legislative session and the caucus’ strategy to fight more new taxes from the Democrats.  Wilcox also offers his insights on recruiting candidates for the 2020 elections. (Shift)

In describing the Washington Education Association (WEA) as a “formidable lobbying force,” the Seattle Times mistakenly attributed having “close to 100,000 members” as the determining factor for the organization’s strength.  The real reason the WEA has complete control over the Democrat party is because of the overwhelmingly amount of money it spends on political activities.   Along with other government unions, the WEA is constantly at the top of the Public Disclosure Commission’s lists for political contributions, independent expenditures, and lobbying.  Public unions are also the majority funding source for many liberal special interest groups.   It is sloppy journalism for the Times to talk about how public unions receive their funding without showing how these funds have bought the unions complete control of a party and our state government.  (Seattle Times)

The impact of the state mandated minimum wage increase will force many businesses to make tough decisions.  Businesses will need to increase the price of their goods and services (which will greatly impact those on fixed incomes) and they will need to reduce the number of hours for employees. (YakTriNews)

Legislation will be introduced requiring state colleges to share information of sexual misconduct to prevent employees from jumping among schools.  Rep. Gerry Pollet (D-Seattle) is hoping to stop the practice of “passing the harasser.” (News Tribune)

Washington will be among the 21 states where U-Haul will no longer hire nicotine users.  The 29 other states and the District of Columbia have “smoker protection laws” that prevent discrimination of tobacco users. (USA Today)

The Seattle Times included an individual who equated transgendered strippers to gospel choirs in its list of 11 “movers and shakers to watch.”  Failed 2017 mayoral candidate Nikkita Oliver was included in the Times’ list even though a few weeks ago she tweeted that she couldn’t understand why people were upset that tax dollars were spent on a stripper on a conference on the region’s homeless crisis. (Seattle Times and Twitter)

Eight of the top ten Pierce County employers are government entities.  In the list created by the Pierce County Economic Development Board, only two private health care companies cracked the top ten list.  In 11^th place with 2100 employees, Safeway was the top retailer/manufacturer. (News Tribune)

Thurston County’s Intercity Transit became the largest Pacific Northwest transit agency to eliminate fare collection.   Bus rides were already 98% subsidized by taxpayers.  An increase in the sales tax and possible federal grants will pay for the additional loss in revenue.  (KUOW)

The 1999 dam removal activists’ proclamation that Snake River chinook salmon would be extinct by 2017 have been proven false with the fish population currently six times the 1999 levels.  Dam removal activists continue to make claims that are contrary to what science is demonstrating. (Tri-City Business News)

Local Sportmen’s Association assist the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) with projects that protect and improve the environment.  WSFW Spokesperson stated, “The sportsmen association has really stepped up as far as stewardship on the wildlife area, so it really, really helps us out.  We would need a lot more staff and a lot more funds to do everything that they help with.” (Wenatchee World)

The Washington State Democrat Party’s latest fundraising email continues to push the bizarre narrative that it is fighting racism.  Remember it was the State Democrats who accepted $70,000 from JZ Knight, even though it was well known she was preaching hate against Hispanics and gays.  Jay Inslee and the Democrats repeatedly refused to give up the money and only did so once Seattle media finally revealed the story.  (Thus, the Dems did not give away the racist donation because it was the right thing to do, they gave up the money because they were caught.)  Also remember it was Democrat state Senator Mona Das who said her party’s caucus was full of “hate, misogyny, and racism and sexism” and has refused to apologize for these remarks. (Washington State Democrat Party email, KUOW, and Everett Herald)

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