Democrat legislators are moving to impose radical Seattle style policing “reforms’ onto the rest of Washington State.  While polls show that Seattle’s extreme measures are not even supported by Seattle residents, this has not stopped Democrats from trying to impose the same concepts onto every Washington State community.  The Democrats have excluded Republican legislators from its “Policing Policy Leadership Team” as they move forward in imposing Seattle’s radical anti-police ideas at the state level. (Shift article)

Governor Jay Inslee’s Employment Security Department (ESD) has been criticized by the Washington’s Democrat State Auditor for failing to provide necessary information requested  the five separate audits being conducted on the dysfunctional department.  Democrat Auditor Pat McCarthy took the very unusual step of sending a letter to ESD Commissioner Suzi LeVine, and to the Governor’s office, stating that the department’s staff needs to change its constraining methods of responding to information requests and “approach these audits in the spirit of accountability and transparency.”  This condemnation by the auditor is the latest in a series of problems involving Inslee’s ESD, which allowed hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to be stolen by foreign criminals last Spring, and then delayed much-needed payments to qualified Washington residents (after Inslee’s emergency orders had forced hundreds of thousands of workers into unemployment).  Despite Commissioner LeVine being responsible for one of the largest thefts in American history, and creating unnecessary financial insecurity for Washington workers who had just lost their jobs, Governor Inslee has refused to act on the numerous calls for him to fire ESD Commissioner LeVine (whose primary qualification for the job was that she has raised millions for Democrat campaigns, including Inslee’s). (Seattle Times and Auditor McCarthy’s letter to Commissioner LeVine)

A New York Times’ story on the how 12-step recovery programs quickly moved to Zoom meetings after in-person meetings were banned last March, was featured in the Seattle Times without any  mention of the negative impact of banning in-person meetings in Washington State.  Governor Inslee’s orders have ended in-person Alcoholics Anonymous’ (and other 12-step recovery groups) meetings, while liquor and marijuana outlets have recorded record sales. Online meetings have a considerably lower participation rate than in-person meetings.  For those seeking help, online meetings do not always provide the personal attention which in-person meetings provide, and thus the newcomers do not obtain the help they need.  Also, many people in need of substance abuse assistance do not have the computer technology needed to participate in Zoom meetings. But, at least the Times carried the story. (Seattle Times/New York Times)

As Governor Inslee was mandating strict restrictions on workplaces, retailers, and faith services, his own administration failed to institute safety measures within state-run facilities.  State hospitals and correction facilities were the source of many outbreaks, including one at the Cayote Ridge Correction Center in Central Washington, where 350 inmates and staff were infected with the virus and two inmates died.  An independent report finds that the state failed to isolate symptomatic prisoners and that many guards did not wear masks. (Seattle Times)

As Governor Inslee continues to seek a position in the Biden Administration, speculation grows over who would seek his position in a special election.  If Inslee resigns prior to next May (when candidates must file for the 2021 elections), then the special election would be held next November. If Inslee resigns after May, there is debate when the election will be held.  Lt. Governor-elect Denny Heck would fill in for Inslee until a new governor is elected.  Heck has stated he will not run for the position and he will return to the Lt. Governor’s office after a new governor is elected.  Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson has already built a $3 million war chest through daily anti-Trump begging, Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz has stated many times that she will seek the position to ensure diversity among the candidates, and King County Executive Dow Constantine “has not ruled out” a run even though he just announced he is running for re-election next year. On the Republican side, there are many who may interested in seeking the position, including all three Republican members of the congressional delegation, Secretary of State Kim Wyman, former Attorney General Rob McKenna, House Republican leader JT Wilcox, Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier, and former Republic Police Chief Loren Culp.  You can fill out Shift’s survey to indicate who you would support. (Crosscut and Shift’s Survey)

The Washington Indian Gaming Association says that no “major outbreaks” of COVID-19 have occurred as the results of its restaurants, bars, and gaming areas being open for business.  While Governor Inslee has said he has no authority to close these facilities, he has severely restricted non-tribal establishments which follow the same safety procedures.  While the governor is correct that he cannot impose rules on federally recognized tribes, if he does believe restaurants are the source of the recent outbreak of the coronavirus (which no data supports), he could threaten to remove some of the financial benefits that he supported giving the tribes (like the monopoly on the lucrative sports gambling business, and kickbacks on the state’s portion of sales tax) if they don’t follow the same guidelines as non-tribal establishments. But that might anger Inslee’s million-dollar-donors in the tribal offices, so you can expect that not to happen. (MyNorthwest)

Last week, while the Seattle City Council was voting to slash the Seattle Police Department’s budget, police officers were arresting an individual for a senseless murder in the Belltown neighborhood.  As Brandi Kruse stated, “When you have violent crime on the increase, and you are cutting officers… it does not take a rocket scientist to understand what the risks are.”  Kruse also points out that the council’s actions are occurring just as downtown businesses are desperately seeking customers during the holiday season after a terrible year due to government restrictions and Left-wing riots. The Seattle Chamber has stated that over 140 member businesses have already closed this year.  The council’s actions (to placate those who were behind the riots) will add more substance to the belief that downtown Seattle and its nearby neighborhoods are not safe places for consumers to shop. (Q13’s The Divide)

In yet another program designed to benefit the criminals, King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg announced an experimental program where first-time offenders will not face jail time or have to pay financial restitutions for their crimes.  Instead of being locked up, first-time non-violent felons could face a community panel on how they would be held accountable for their crimes (yet Satterberg failed to state what “punishments” this could entail).  Also, the taxpayers would pay up to $500 of the financial restitution for the criminal’s actions. (MyNorthwest)

Washington State officials announced nine businesses that failed to comply with COVID-19 restrictions, yet one business owner said his infraction occurred six months ago and that the business had complied with guidelines since.  The owner of Red Carpet Car Wash near Sequim said his business’ infraction occurred a couple of days after he was allowed to re-open in May, and he had immediately worked with Washington State Labor & Industry officials to correct the mistake.  The owner now believes the state’s delayed actions will cost him revenue, as people will believe the violations are either on-going or recent. (My Clallam County)

The Klickitat County Sheriff says that his department will not cite people for not wearing masks, for violating state restrictions on bars and restaurants, or the bans on social gatherings.  Sheriff Bob Songer has stated he feels Governor Inslee’s restrictions are unconstitutional. The sheriff also stated he would not stop state authorities from doing their job in the Southwest Washington counties, but he encourages local residents to tape record their interactions with state officials. (MyNorthwest)

In the latest example of how the state’s school system has failed Washington State students during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Richland School District revealed that 20% of its middle and high school students are failing at least one class.  This is double the normal rate.  School districts across the state are refusing to institute hybrid in-person classes, despite many studies which have found there are safe methods to return students part-time to classrooms.  This refusal is mostly due to objections from teachers’ unions, and administrators worried about being sued.  In an ironic twist, the Richland School District has instituted a hybrid in-person schedule for some students – those who are failing with distance learning can receive in-person tutoring in a classroom setting.  If this is safe for failing students, couldn’t the same procedures be used for students before they fail? (Tri-City Herald)

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