Bob Ferguson is claiming reports that he pulled out of a planned October debate against Dave Reichert are “100% inaccurate.” But, like so many of Ferguson’s claims, the facts prove him wrong.

Seattle City Club’s Alicia Crank stated that after repeated communications and confirmations, Ferguson’s team “formally withdrew” from the debate. Crank detailed how Reichert’s campaign initially couldn’t make the date, but later rescheduled and confirmed availability in writing. When Crank notified Ferguson’s campaign that Reichert was back in, Ferguson’s team went silent and later claimed they couldn’t make it work.

Ferguson’s spokesperson is demanding retractions from media outlets – but Crank’s account clearly proves they are the ones tangled up in falsehoods. Meanwhile, Reichert expressed disappointment and called on Ferguson to reconsider.

Ferguson’s campaign insists they are committed to two other debates in September, but – based on this debacle – we’ll believe it when we see it. Given Ferguson’s track record of spinning the narrative, it’s hard to take his denials at face value. Read more at Center Square.

The Left is in an actual panic because voters might get to weigh in on their pet projects, which they have lobbied state government so hard for so long to make sure they have a never-ending gravy train of taxpayer money. In a recent email, they claim that rolling back a new law – Democrats’ ban on natural gas – which has not even taken effect (to the benefit of the law’s foreign owners/Democrat campaign donors) that “the future of clean energy in Washington is at risk.”

Of course, WA has long been home to the cleanest energy there is – hydropower – but the whacky enviro Left doesn’t like dams because the special interests and activists can’t make enough money off water running downhill.

And because facts are hard, it’s much easier to just say every citizen initiative up for a vote this year is a right-wing one, and anti-climate, even if they have nothing to do with the climate. Evidently, anything which endangers state taxes or government control is anti-climate. Read the email here.

Washington state employees, led by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE), plan a walkout on September 10, demanding higher wages despite stable jobs with benefits. Of course, the union is conveniently ignoring the state’s $500 million revenue shortfall and pressures taxpayers to fund unsustainable pay increases. As always, the focus is more about public disruption and less about good-faith negotiation, with rallies and walkouts that could jeopardize essential public services. Meanwhile, we aren’t holding our breath for Jay Inslee’s ability to negotiate favorable terms for taxpayers.

In the end, we have one real question: Will the state employees working from home join this strike by marching out of their home in the footy pajamas they’ve been wearing since last showing up at an office for work in 2020?

Read more at the Washington State Standard.

Seattle and Tacoma have earned another dubious distinction nationwide – and, no, it’s not out-of-control homelessness or skyrocketing crime rate. The cities lead the nation in the highest combined state and local sales tax rates among major U.S. cities. According to the Tax Foundation’s 2024 midyear report, Seattle tops the list at 10.35%, while Tacoma isn’t far behind at 10.3%. This comes after King County added a 0.1% tax earlier this year, pushing Seattle past Tacoma. Ironically, smaller cities like Mill Creek and Lynnwood hit residents even harder with a staggering 10.6% sales tax rate. Of course, these high taxes hurt businesses and push consumers and companies to lower-tax areas, stifling economic growth locally. Read more at Center Square.

Have you subscribed to the new Shift WA podcast yet? We’ve already released three full episodes, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive:

• The hosts break down the results of the Washington state primary election. Why are people reflexively voting for Cantwell? What did we learn in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th congressional races? They touch on all those federal questions and pontificate about the major state races including OSPI, commissioner of public lands, and that other one.
• David Olson talks about his bid for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, including the role of OSPI, implications of I-2081, and his approaches to learning loss and school tech policies. He also addresses rising anti-Semitism in schools and the need for more apprenticeships.
• Jacquelin Maycumber outlines her campaign for the 5th congressional district, her reasons for running, and her views on Congress’s role. She covers national debt, entitlement reform, the border crisis, and offers insights on the Jones Act.

Subscribe now and don’t miss out on these critical discussions!

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