Last week’s Newsmaker Interview was with Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-Sunnyside). In the exclusive interview, the Central Washington representative was critical of Governor Inslee’s refusal to lift the ban on commercial and residential construction.  Newhouse points out that none of our similarly impacted neighbors (Oregon, Idaho, or California) have the ban and Inslee has also allowed government financed construction projects to continue.  As the Congressman states, “This virus doesn’t discriminate between publicly-funded builders and private sector workers, and neither should Governor Inslee’s list of ‘essential’ activities.” (Shift)

Due to Governor Inslee’s stubborn refusal to reverse his ban on commercial and residential construction (while allowing government-financed construction to continue), contractors are experiencing a sharp increase in vandalism, theft, and squatters on their shut down construction sites.  Despite increasing security cost during the Washington State-imposed closure (one of only five states to shut down residential construction), thieves are stealing appliances and other items from construction sites.  The lost materials, added security, and vandalism will only increase the eventual costs of the new homes, and thus make housing even more expensive for Washington residents. (Lens)

Governor Inslee joined with the governors of California and Oregon to announce a pact between the three states to reopen their economies while working to stop the spread of COVID-19.  There are no specifics in how this pact will translate to people returning to their jobs, but the first act should be to allow Washington construction employees to join their fellow workers in Oregon and California and return to building much-needed housing units. (Everett Herald)

The Northwest Republican Community Fund is continuing its efforts to raise money to help those financially impacted by COVID-19.  In a fundraising email signed by JT Wilcox, the House Republican Leader states, “What will get us through this is the support we provide each other. As much as we can do from Olympia, there is no substitute for the work and personal effort of people in our community.”  If you would like to join the effort to help our neighbors by contributing to Hopelink, please click here. Donations up to $250 will be matched by NWRCF. (Northwest Republican Community Fund email and Hopelink Contribution page)

Boeing announced it will bring back 2,500 employees to work on defense programs and 737 MAX maintenance projects.  The workers will be provided with protective gear and adhere to social distancing practices on defense-related projects in Everett and Renton, and on grounded 737 MAX planes in Moses Lake. (iFIBER One)

Amazon has announced that it will hire 75,000 more employees (on top of the 100,000 the company hired in the past month) as the online retailer works to fill the increase in orders due to the coronavirus. The Seattle company stated, “We know many people have been economically impacted as jobs in areas like hospitality, restaurants, and travel are lost or furloughed as part of this crisis and we welcome anyone out of work to join us at Amazon until things return to normal and their past employer is able to bring them back.” (Seattle Times)

Seattle City Councilmembers Kshama Sawant and Tammy Morales continue to push their job-killing employment tax on Seattle employers.  Even though it is estimated that over 800 Seattle companies would pay the tax, the two lawmakers have labeled this the “Amazon Tax.”  If the $500 million tax were in place today, it would result in either higher product costs or delivery delays (due to the company hiring fewer local employees) for Amazon’s Seattle customers to receive their needed goods. (Lens)

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn (R-Bellevue) has introduced legislation to create a blue-ribbon panel to develop measures to rebuild the local economy. The Coronavirus Recovery Economic (CuRE) Task Force would bring together local business and government leaders to determine the best ways to support economic recovery.  The King County Council will discuss the motion during its April 21^st full council meeting.  We can fully expect the liberal members of the council attempting to pack the panel with their special interest allies, to garner funds for themselves instead of doing what is best for the region. (Councilmember Reagan Dunn)

COVID-19 has impacted the growth of commercial flights out of Everett’s Paine Field.  Alaska Air and United previously had 24 flights arriving and departing out of the airport’s new terminal. Both airlines have reduced service and now only six or seven departures and arrivals use the airport daily. (Everett Herald)

Spokane area officials are working on financial assistance programs to help tenants and landlords once the current ban on evictions, due to non-payment, ends on May 1^st.  Local lawmakers are figuring out how much money they will be receiving from the federal CARES Act before determining how best to help both renters who have lost wages due to COVID-19 and landlords who still must pay their overhead expenses despite not receiving rent payments. (Spokesman-Review)

Today is the last day to submit written comments on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers draft study on the four Lower Snake River dams.  The final report is expected later this summer.  Click here to submit your testimony. (YakTriNews and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

Democrat congressional candidate Marilyn Strickland keeps sending out liberal boilerplate emails, as she continues to push falsehoods to raise money for her campaign.   In a recent email blast (obviously developed by national fundraising consultants), Strickland falsely states, “GOP lawmakers are moving forward yet again, with efforts to gut the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and roll back protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions.” Yet the campaign fails to name the bill – likely because there is no bill progressing through Congress to do this.  When people are concerned about their financial stability, Strickland is promoting false fears to raise money for her campaign. (Strickland Campaign fundraising email)

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