Opponents of Initiative 2066 (Stop the Gas Ban) are out of touch with the real energy needs and preferences of Washington residents – that’s the only conclusion that could be drawn from their latest, unfounded claims. Opponents would like people to believe that I-2066 would actually drive-up energy bills and they rely on questionable, speculative projections from a report by far-left Climate Solutions for support.

Climate Solutions’ report leans on future price estimates for natural gas and the speculation that more and more people will choose electric over gas in their homes. Essentially, the report suggests that as people increasingly switch to electric appliances, the cost of maintaining the gas infrastructure could rise for remaining gas users. Of course, these are unknowns. And, importantly, the report completely disregards how affordable and dependable natural gas is now, particularly for working families and small businesses already facing high energy costs.

As Shift WA readers know, I-2066 isn’t about denying clean energy. It’s about ensuring consumer choice and cost-efficiency. Washington’s energy policy should balance environmental progress with practical, affordable solutions. Passing I-2066 ensures people won’t be forced into higher-cost electric systems with uncertain reliability. It’s up to voters to see past scare tactics and support I-2066 to keep energy choices affordable, reliable, and diverse. Read more at Center Square.

Democrats in Washington have made a big show of rejecting corporate money, but the truth is they’re swimming in cash from some of the nation’s wealthiest corporations and billionaires. In the governor’s race, Democrat Bob Ferguson talks about standing up for the people but enjoys heavy financial backing from the Washington State Democratic Party and the Democratic Governors Association—both of which are flush with corporate dollars. Companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and even DoorDash have bankrolled these groups, allowing Ferguson to claim he’s not taking corporate funds directly, while his party acts as a middleman.

And it’s not just Ferguson. On ballot measures like Initiative 2117, aimed at repealing the Climate Commitment Act, Democrats have received nearly $17 million from a lineup of mega-donors including Steve and Connie Ballmer, Bill Gates, and nonprofits like the Nature Conservancy. It’s an all-out attempt to keep an unpopular policy intact by leveraging corporate and billionaire money under the guise of “climate progress.” As always, Democrats’ claim of fighting for working families and rejecting corporate influence rings hollow when they’re relying on the very corporations and elite donors they so like to publicly criticize. Read more at the Washington State Standard.

After ballot drop boxes in Vancouver and Portland were set on fire, Jay Inslee announced “24-hour enhanced security” around ballot drop-off sites across Washington. It’s unclear why this level of security wasn’t established earlier, with only a week until Election Day. Law enforcement has pledged to increase patrols, but for many voters, the damage is done—the delay has amplified fears around ballot safety. Just another failure attributable to Inslee’s remarkable lack of foresight. Read more at KOMO.

Oh, Sound Transit. Even when they actually attract potential new riders to the Lynnwood light rail, they manage to drive them away—pun intended! Their apparent disdain for cars is glaringly obvious, as they fail to provide sufficient parking at the station. It’s almost as if they want people to give up on public transit altogether and hop back in their vehicles. Perhaps instead of paying the hefty salaries of three or four CEOs who seem to be more focused on their own agendas than on practical solutions, Sound Transit should invest in competent parking planners. After all, it’s your taxpayer dollars at work—shouldn’t they be making it easier for people to use the light rail, not forcing them to battle I-5 traffic? Read more at the Seattle Times.

General Election voting is underway. Please remember to submit your ballot early to avoid last-minute issues. You can postmark your ballot by 8 p.m. on November 5 (no postage required), or through county drop boxes, which are open 24/7 and will close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. As you know, this election includes crucial positions like president, governor, congressional seats, and local measures. Please remember to vote! You can find ballot drop locations here.

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

• Join us as we welcome Dale Whitaker, candidate for Washington’s Secretary of State, to discuss his reasons for running, thoughts on election security, and the role of technology in building election trust. We explore the line between election “integrity” and “denial,” plus why voters have historically trusted this role to Republicans. Dale also addresses the recent consent decree on 30-day residency requirements by Steve Hobbs and Bob Ferguson, and his vision for strengthening Washington’s business environment through the Secretary of State’s office.
• Fresh off a Seattle Times endorsement, Jaime Herrera-Beutler joins us to discuss her race for Commissioner of Public Lands. What does the Commissioner do? How can we reduce wildfires? What’s involved in forest management? Jaime tackles these questions and more.
• Pete Serrano discusses his path to law school, work as an environmental lawyer, and run for office. He breaks down the Attorney General’s mission, public safety priorities, and the police and public defender shortages. Pete also highlights what sets him apart from his opponent and shares thoughts on working with the legislature and whether the AG should be appointed by the governor.
• Judge Dave Larson joins the podcast to discuss his run for the Washington State Supreme Court, his journey into law, and the realities of judicial elections. He also touches on bias in the judiciary, legal news on ballot initiatives, and whether legal shows get it right. Finally, he shares ideas for improving the justice system.
• 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.

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

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