NEW SECRET DAM PLAN IS DONE, BUT STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS WON’T TALK ABOUT IT (EXCEPT WITH CAMPAIGN DONORS)
A DAM UPDATE: DEMOCRATS KEEP FARMERS OUT OF NEGOTIATIONS OVER THEIR FUTURE
Some Shift team members have been writing about lawsuits over the Lower Snake River Dams since the last century, and Shift has covered the ongoing debate for all of its existence. Now that the federal government has seemingly agreed to a new plan with people who hate the dams, we’d like to write more about it – but according to the Capital Press, “contents of the confidential package won’t be made public before it is filed in court by Dec. 15 at the latest.”
That’s right – a spokesperson for Seattle environmentalists who want to rip the clean-energy-producing dams out says she’s “cautiously optimistic that we can find a path forward,” while the farmers whose lives depend on the dams for irrigation, transportation, and energy “say they have no idea what’s in the package, including whether it calls for breaching the dams.”
You might think that some of the state’s elected representatives would be standing up for the massive economic benefits provided by the Lower Snake River Dams, but Governor Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson are standing with those who want to remove the dams (and who contribute mightily to their campaigns). You can read on to find out why one ag representative says, “I have absolutely zero faith that our input is going to be taken seriously” here… Shift, Capital Press.
BUSINESSES COPY INSLEE ADMINISTRATION, PROMISE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS WHILE INCREASING EMISSIONS
It’s sort of sad when big business starts to copy government. But that is what Axios-Seattle caught some of Washington’s biggest corporate players doing in its investigation into their environmental posturing, finding out it’s “looking increasingly uncertain that major Seattle-area corporations will be able to meet the ambitious emissions-reduction pledges they’ve made.”
And by “uncertain,” the reporter could have written “ain’t gonna happen,” as none of Amazon, Starbucks, or Microsoft “have significantly reduced their emissions since making those pledges in recent years, according to their own reports.” Of course, promising to do something and then failing to do so is exactly what the state has done under Gov. Inslee, as Shift has documented. You can read further how these companies (like politicians) love doing nothing but issuing press releases and “basking in the warm glow of corporate environmentalism” here… Axios-Seattle, Shift.
FREE SOUND TRANSIT TRAIN RIDES TO CONTINUE
The folks at Sound Transit really don’t understand the concept of charging people to ride their trains, probably because it’s not a priority for them. That’s the underlying theme of the Seattle Times front-page feature describing “the rollout of a monetary punishment (which) will be the fullest test of a new fare system intended to deliver a lighter and more equitable touch.”
Anyone reading the story would realize that a “lighter” touch means riding the rails will continue to be free, as “riders receive two warnings. On the third time (being caught) not paying, they will receive a $50 citation.” While that sounds almost like a plan, Sound Transit folks admit that “about 30% of passengers who didn’t have proof of payment under the new tiered system either didn’t provide an ID or provided information that couldn’t be verified later.”
So, people who won’t pay also won’t admit who they are so they can’t be put on a list for not paying. You can read on to see whether you believe the transit bureaucrats claiming “collections are forecast to cover 7% of Sound Transit’s budget over the next 25 years” here… Seattle Times.
HEY TACOMA – RENT CONTROL IS BAD (AND ILLEGAL IN WA)
Thanks to the “work” of Kshama Sawant (as covered by Shift), most city council members in Washington cities realize that rent control is illegal under state law, regardless of the desires of city council members. Some far-Left activists refuse to accept that rent control is not the answer, leading to measures like Initiative 1 in Tacoma in the name of tenants’ rights, which one city council member writes in the News Tribune “shifts the burden of these challenges to landlords, requiring them to subsidize their tenants financially.”
The councilman takes the activists to task because “Initiative 1 does not get to the root causes of the housing instability crisis”. You can read on to see how little rent a person would actually be required to pay if the voters agree to confiscate the property of landlords here… Shift, News Tribune.
DEFUND POLICE CROWD WINNING MONEY BATTLE AGAINST SPOKANE JAIL
People on the west side of the Cascades might be surprised to find that the biggest spender against a Spokane jail initiative is a foundation created out of a hospital merger over here. Spokane voters are finding that out, too, after the Spokesman-Review took a look at the financing opposing the jail proposal, finding “the progressive opposition has outraised supporters 12 to 1”, with “the Seattle-based Inatai Foundation” showing up in the lead position.
The money trail is a twisted one, including almost a quarter million dollars from “the organization contracted by the state Department of Commerce, then led by Spokane mayoral challenger Lisa Brown, to manage the Camp Hope homeless encampment.” Other tawdry money tales can be found here… Spokesman-Review.
BURIEN UPDATE: CAMPING BAN TAKES EFFECT TONIGHT
Shift has been following how the homelessness debate is playing out beyond Seattle’s walls, and Burien has taken center stage several times in that coverage. Now KIRO is reporting the city is ready to go live with its solution, and “Burien’s new camping ban will go into effect in a matter of hours. Starting Wednesday night, anyone sleeping or residing on public property from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. could be charged with a misdemeanor.”
You can read this is the outcome after “(P)reviously, tents were lined up outside Burien City Hall. The campers then moved about a block away, and then to several other spaces, bringing the issue to a head for city leadership” here… Shift, KIRO.
OVERHEARD ON THE INTERWEBS...
SUPPORT THE DAILY BRIEFING...
Please consider making a contribution to ensure Shift continues to provide daily updates on the shenanigans of the liberal establishment.
Forward this to a friend. It helps us grow our community and serve you better.
You can also follow SHIFTWA on social media by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.
If you feel we missed something that should be covered, email us at [email protected].