The Freedom Foundation is asking Governor Jay Inslee for an apology for his previous malicious statements regarding the organization’s research, which the Washington State Department of Health has embarrassingly admitted was correct. In an open letter published in the Seattle Times, the conservative think tank recalled that when the governor was asked about Freedom Foundation’s research that the state was over inflating the number of coronavirus deaths in Washington, Inslee replied that the research was “disgusting” and “malarkey” and that the foundation was “fanning the conspiracy claims from Pluto.” Yet, a few weeks later, the state admitted it had been inflating the numbers by including people who had the virus but died of other causes (like gun shots) and subsequently corrected its COVID-19 stats. No response yet from the governor, and sadly we know there never will be one that actually admits he was wrong to attack someone who dared disagree with him. (Freedom Foundation open letter)

The legal debate over the passage of I-976 ($30 car tab fees) was heard by the Washington State Supreme Court this week. After victories in lower courts, proponents of lower car tab fees and the 2019 initiative sought to defend the voters’ decision against Democrat attacks that the Initiative’s title was misleading (after Bob Ferguson wrote it) and that it dealt with more than one topic. (Everett Herald)

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industry has fined a Yakima area gym nearly $10,000 for failing to follow Governor Inslee’s “Safe Start” orders. The Anytime Fitness center in Selah reopened on June 15th, while Yakima county was still in Phase I.  Gyms are not allowed to reopen until their counties are in Phase III.  This is believed to be the first fine levied by the state against a business for failing to follow the governor’s orders. No word yet on citations for any protestor violations of Inslee’s orders in the CHAZ. (Bellingham Herald)

The on-going mismanagement and dysfunction at Governor Inslee’s Employment Security Department continues to have a negative impact on Washington residents, as the ESD is now sending bills to innocent individuals whose information was hacked by Nigerian criminals to file fraudulent unemployment claims. In a tweet, Bellevue Councilmember Jennifer Robertson stated she received a bill from the ESD for “over payment of benefits” even after she had filed a fraud report with the state. Other individuals, including State Representative Matt Beohnke, also reported they had received similar bills from the ESD.  (Twitter)

Seattle City Council President M. Lorena Gonzalez sides with the socialists, attacks the person she is planning on running against next year, while saying she does not have time to investigate the actions of Councilmember Kshama Sawant, as requested by Mayor Jenny Durkan. The mayor had asked the council to examine whether Sawant broke the law or council rules by allowing protestors into a locked city hall (which caused damage to a city run homeless shelter), taking part in the riot that forced the evacuation of the East Precinct, and providing the mayor’s legally protected address to protestors. While the council has made its choice to support Sawant in this tussle between far-left politicians, we still wait to hear from Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, Governor Inslee, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, and Washington State Democrat Party Chair to publicly declare whether they support the liberal politics of Mayor Durkan or the radical actions of Councilmember Sawant. If a similar political battle were to take place within the conservative ranks, we all know the media would be demanding that  Republican leaders take a stand. (Seattle Times)

Christopher Rufo believes the legacy of the recently vacated CHAZ will be the senseless murders of two Black men “who died under the false promise of utopia.” In his article, Rufo reminds us that the East Precinct was created under the stewardship of legendary Councilman Sam Smith, Seattle’s first Black city councilman, who wanted to bring police protection to the minority residents of the Central District. Policing is complicated and CHAZ is the latest example that “when left-wing radicals shift from protest to governance, things fall apart.” (City Journal)

Fox News’ Sean Hannity conducts an emotional interview with the father of one of the slain victims in the CHAZ. Horace Lorenzo Anderson, Sr. expressed the pain he and his family are now experiencing over the senseless loss of his son, and that he has had to spend recent nights in hotel rooms because he does not feel safe in his home.  Anderson also says he has not heard from city officials who allowed the CHAZ to happen, and create the environment which took his son’s life. Anderson also stated, “I understand Black Lives Matter and everything that’s going on. But that’s not my movement right now. My movement is [to] let them know that was my son.”(Fox News)

In the latest liberal assault on free speech, the City of Tacoma has caved into the demands that city vehicles remove stickers which were intended to show support for fallen police officers. The “thin blue line” American flag decals were removed because a few individuals proclaimed it represented an extreme point of view.  Apparently displaying appreciation for officers who have died protecting citizens is no longer an allowable point of view, for those on the Left. (News Tribune)

As we first reported in the Daily Briefing a few weeks ago, there is growing consideration for building a 60-foot tunnel under the Duwamish waterway to replace the crumbling West Seattle Bridge. The City of Seattle has amended its original “Request for Qualifications” to also include tunnels for city transportation officials to consider. (Washington Policy Center)

The coronavirus has spread through the inmates and staff at the state-run Coyote Creek Corrections Center, but administrators believe new procedures have been effective in slowing the infections. 173 inmates and 50 staff members have contracted the disease.  There have been two inmates who have died. Prison officials say recent testing has shown a steep decline in the number of new infections. (YakTriNews)

A strange enforcement battle is taking place in Selah, where city officials have sent a letter warning residents they could be prosecuted if they continue to use chalk art to write their pro-Black Life Matters slogans on city roads.The city attorney said, “Selah is not Seattle. The laws will be enforced in Selah.” Yet the resident said they were being singled out because of their political views and that the city has done nothing to stop others from using chalk art to commemorate graduating from high school or painting designs. (Yakima Herald)

The Grant County Commissioners stated they were “vehemently opposed” to the political movement to disband or defund police. In a joint press release, the three commissioners called these beliefs promoted by recent protests as “misguided and nonsensical ideas.” (iFIBER One)

Back by popular demand! Get your “Governor Zero” face mask today. Only $25 with proceeds going to support Shift and the Northwest Republican Community Fund’s effort to help our neighbors who have lost their wages through supporting Hopelink. (Shift’s “Governor Zero” face mask and Northwest Republican Community Fund/Hopelink)

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