In a recent op-ed, GOP State Senator John Braun points out how Washington’s wealthiest are bankrolling a campaign to keep working families paying through the nose for their “luxury beliefs.” The reality is that Seattle elites like Steve Ballmer and Nick Hanauer, who have yachts, private jets, and multimillion-dollar homes, can’t grasp the strain that cap-and-tax laws, payroll taxes, and electrification mandates place on working families. For them, it’s easy to stay warm, gas up the car, and access top-notch long-term care. As Braun highlights, these billionaires are out of touch, trying to force policies on middle- and lower-income Washingtonians while remaining unaffected in their “insulated world of the super-rich.”

With their millions, these “no” campaign funders aren’t worried about the costs of gas and home heating. Instead, they’re throwing cash into the fight to uphold policies that drive up costs for people who actually have to choose between putting gas in the car or paying the heating bill. For the average Washingtonian, these initiatives represent a break from government overreach and costly mandates, but to Ballmer, who owns the Clippers and is reportedly worth $158 billion, higher costs are just a footnote.

Braun notes that in places like Microsoft country — aka Redmond — few students need free or reduced-price lunch. Meanwhile, 76% of students in his Centralia district do, underscoring the stark divide between wealthy donors and regular people who face the brunt of “progressive” policies. Braun doesn’t mince words, calling the “no” campaign’s anti-initiative ads deceptive and elitist. These ads, he says, insult the intelligence of working families who know that repealing hidden gas and payroll taxes will actually let them keep more of their own money.

As Braun writes, supporting these initiatives is about rejecting the narrative that the super-rich know best. He urges voters to ignore the high-dollar hype, vote “yes” on the initiatives, and take a stand for a government that doesn’t treat working families like piggy banks for rich people’s ideals. Read more at The Chronicle.

Police are investigating arson attacks on ballot boxes in Vancouver and Portland, where devices marked with “Free Gaza” and “Free Palestine” were used to start fires. In Vancouver, one box sustained severe damage with nearly 475 ballots affected after a fire suppression device failed. In Portland, only three ballots were destroyed thanks to a functional fire suppression system, though surveillance footage caught a Volvo approaching the box just before the fire began. The FBI has joined local authorities in investigating the incidents but has not confirmed a motive yet. Read more at KTTH.

In a typical example of twisted priorities, the liberal media is more interested in meatballs than the arson attacks on ballot boxes in Vancouver and Portland, where incendiary devices bearing the phrases “Free Gaza” and “Free Palestine” were used. As Brandi Kruse aptly pointed out, if the culprit turns out to be a Democrat, this story will vanish faster than your favorite pasta dish. But if a Republican is involved, expect a relentless barrage of coverage leading up to Election Day. And, of course, as it turns out Kruse was correct. The leading story in the Seattle Times today was about meatballs.

Apparently, the Seattle Times thinks ballot box fires aren’t as newsworthy as a hearty recipe. Maybe if the media spent less time serving up bland stories and more time holding power accountable, we’d get a clearer picture of what’s really happening in our communities.

In a move that’s hard to ignore, Seattle’s $1.55 billion “Keep Seattle Moving” levy has its top supporter in Jansen Inc., a contractor that just botched RapidRide’s $144 million bus project by forgetting wheelchair accessibility. With a hefty $50,000 donation to the campaign, Jansen out-contributed every other donor, seemingly betting that Seattle taxpayers will pick up the tab for fixes to mistakes they helped create. Proposition 1, if passed, will cost Seattle homeowners about $546 a year, which former Transportation Committee chair Alex Pedersen calls “unaffordable, inequitable, and ineffective.” The absurdity that the same contractor now wants taxpayers to trust them with more public funds is just about right for Seattle. Meanwhile, the city’s expecting the levy to replace the expiring Move Seattle funds, which make up 30% of Seattle’s transportation budget, and without it, a massive funding gap looms. Read more at Center Square.

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.

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