Supporters of Initiative 2066 – aimed at protecting natural gas as an energy option and preventing gas bans – have reached their goal of 405,000 signatures by July 5. State law mandates 324,516 valid signatures, with an additional cushion of 15-20% recommended to account for duplicates or invalid entries. As Shift WA previously reported, I-2066 seeks to overturn Democrats’ effective ban on natural gas. If approved by voters in November, the initiative would safeguard affordable energy options like natural gas and propane and prevent bans on these energy sources in our state.

King County leftists really do not approve of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling allowing for bans on camping in public spaces. According to the Seattle Times, King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda described the ruling as being “on the wrong side of history.” She said, “The answer to homelessness is not criminalizing sleeping outside — especially when there is no suitable shelter available — which only makes it harder to house and care for people when services do become available.” The answer – Mosqueda told the Times – to “fixing homelessness is housing.”

But Mosqueda and her fellow Democrats have botched King County’s response to homelessness for years. After millions spent, homelessness has only increased. Rather than implementing proven solutions, Democrats have spent millions on bureaucracy and untested (and failed) attempts at addressing homelessness.

In any event, the Supreme Court’s ruling isn’t likely to impact Seattle’s continued failed response to homelessness any time soon. Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office indicated that the city’s approach to encampments would remain unchanged – meaning, no bans on public camping is on the radar. Read more at The Seattle Times.

The used electric vehicle (EV) market is plummeting nationwide due to low demand and high regret among EV buyers. The trend is even visible in Seattle. An iSeeCars analysis shows that used EV prices in Seattle dropped by nearly 30%, or about $11,000, while nationwide, the decline is around 35%. In contrast, used gas-powered car prices dropped by only $400.

Simply put, the oversupply and low demand for EVs are driving the market to collapse, exacerbated by buyers’ remorse following a surge in 2023 purchases. A McKinsey survey revealed that 46% of EV owners want to switch back to gas cars, citing a lack of charging stations and high ownership costs. Additionally, the current infrastructure for EVs is inadequate, with few charging stations requiring long plug-in times. Even in our state, Jay Inslee’s $85 million grant for new charging stations will add only 141 public locations, mostly in Western Washington, insufficient for widespread EV adoption.

But, as KTTH’s Jason Rantz pointed out, that hasn’t stopped Democrats from pushing for their dreams for an EV future. Thanks to Democrats, our state is still on course for mandating all new cars sold by 2035 be zero-emission vehicles. Of course, the mandate ignores public reluctance and the current infrastructure’s shortcomings. Read more at KTTH.

Congratulations are in order…

Bob Ferguson only fits crime during election years…

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