Welcome to Washington: Where Business Dreams Go to Die Under Heavy Taxes and Regulations!
Welcome to Washington: Where Businesses Go to Die
A new study from the Center for American Progress highlights a troubling trend in Washington’s business climate. While new business startups grow across the U.S., Washington lags behind, with major counties like King, Pierce, and Spokane showing negative private business growth over the past four years. As the Washington Policy Center explains, much of this reality is attributable to the anti-business tax and regulatory policies. For decades, Democrats have passed burdensome licensing regulations, increases in Business & Occupation (B&O) taxes, and higher high workers’ compensation costs. While CNBC ranks Washington 10th overall for business, the WPC notes it ranks 42nd in business friendliness, skewed by factors like quality of life. Of course, a sales tax cut, repeal of the capital gains tax, and regulatory reforms could reverse this trend, helping Washington become more attractive for business investment. But we aren’t holding our breath that Democrats will do anything to reverse the trend. Read more at the Washington Policy Center.
Democrats Can’t Even Negotiate With Themselves: GOP Staffers Secure Raises While Dems Continue to Squabble
The first-ever collective bargaining for legislative staff in Washington reveals a stark divide between Republican and Democrat caucus employees. While GOP staff unanimously approved their contracts with pay raises, Democrat staff rejected theirs. Democrat staff expressed frustration over stagnant contract terms that didn’t address issues like telework during legislative sessions and grievance procedures, feeling the proposals only maintained the “status quo.” Meanwhile, GOP staff, represented by a different union, accepted similar contracts without issue, focusing on practical improvements like better tools and training. Democrat staffers’ rejection – although amusing – highlights the failure of Democrat leadership, who couldn’t even secure agreement on working conditions for their own loyal staff, despite their control of the legislature. Read more at the Washington State Standard.
Spokane County Looks to Crack Down on Homeless Encampments: New Camping Ordinance Set for Vote
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is proposing common-sense changes to the county’s illegal camping ordinance to allow deputies to dismantle homeless encampments without first checking for shelter availability. This follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing enforcement of anti-camping laws. Undersheriff Kevin Richey emphasized that the goal is to connect homeless individuals with services rather than conduct mass sweeps, though citations or arrests may occur if people refuse help. The Board of Commissioners will vote on the proposed changes in an upcoming meeting. We will keep you updated on the story. Read more at Center Square.
The Left’s Air Quality Alarm: When Facts Go Up in Smoke
The Washington Policy Center recently fact-checked Dr. Vin Gupta’s editorial on Washington’s CO2 tax. Gupta claims Spokane has “declining air quality,” but EPA data show that air quality has improved since 2000, with particulate matter levels dropping over 20%. As the Washington Policy Center points out, air quality will continue to improve without the CO2 tax as highlighted by a 2019 report predicting reduced particulate matter under a business-as-usual scenario. Gupta also suggests the CO2 tax will reduce wildfire risk, but only 0.4% of the tax revenue is allocated to forest health, far less than other government expenses. But the reality is that the same environmental groups supporting the CO2 tax also block effective wildfire prevention efforts – Gupta’s use of wildfires as justification for the tax is misleading, at best. Read more Washington Policy Center.
Overheard on the Interwebs
Far too little and far too late…
Just one of Jay Inslee’s many, many failures…
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