Washington’s carbon auction just hit a record high, with the price per CO2 allowance soaring to $40.26—up from $29.88 last quarter. Why the spike? Basic economics: the state is cutting the number of available allowances next year, driving up prices. Washington Policy Center’s Todd Myers predicts this trend will continue, warning that the 12% annual emissions cuts needed by 2030 under the Climate Commitment Act will bring “severe economic pain” in the form of skyrocketing costs.

For now, drivers catch a small break—gas prices won’t spike immediately since the higher carbon costs were already baked in. But at $3.95 per gallon (93 cents above the national average), Washington drivers are still feeling the climate policy pinch.

Myers also slammed the state’s cap-and-invest program for wasting money on political pet projects instead of tangible environmental improvements. The lack of transparency in how Climate Commitment Act funds are spent remains a sore point, with even The Seattle Times editorial board raising red flags. After voters rejected repealing the program, Myers says the focus now shifts to ensuring this money isn’t squandered—but don’t hold your breath. Read more at Center Square.

Washington’s public schools are in trouble, with enrollment projected to drop by over 50,000 students by 2026—a 4.5% decline since 2019. Lingering fallout from prolonged COVID school closures, along with controversial policies like mandatory Critical Race Theory (CRT) and DEI initiatives, have driven parents toward alternatives like private schools. Seattle Public Schools, despite its $25,655-per-student budget, has lost 7% of its students since 2020, partly due to poor financial management, including a $94 million budget shortfall caused by using temporary COVID funds for permanent pay raises.

Now, Seattle leaders want a bailout, leaving incoming governor Bob Ferguson to decide whether to shift these costs onto state taxpayers. But, as the Washington Policy Center points out, simply pouring more money into the system won’t fix it. Our state needs reforms such as repealing CRT mandates, restoring academic rigor, expanding charter schools, and enabling school choice. Read more at the Washington Policy Center.

Democrats’ favorite pastime—digging deeper into your paycheck—is alive and well with the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program. Starting in 2025, workers will fork over 0.92% of their gross wages, up from 0.74%, meaning someone earning $75,000 gets to “donate” $690 whether they use the program or not. With usage skyrocketing 79% since 2020 and projections nearing 377,000 applicants by 2027, the system is overburdened and hemorrhaging cash.

But instead of addressing inefficiencies, Democrats like Rep. Liz Berry want to pile on more funding and regulations, including a bill to track employers and ensure job security for PFML users. Meanwhile, the Employment Security Department (ESD) can barely answer its phones or process claims, let alone avoid audits calling them out for paying double benefits in violation of state law. Naturally, Gov. Inslee is expected to approve even more funding to hire staff to patch up a system that looks like a case study in government mismanagement. Read more at Center Square.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell seems ready to trade one controversy for another by eyeing Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes for SPD’s top spot. Barnes, a man with a knack for baggage, has faced investigations for creating a hostile work environment, a botched report on body cameras with a glaring conflict of interest, and a history tied to police oversight scandals. Despite publicly “committing” to Madison, Barnes has been job-shopping since 2023, conveniently aligning with Seattle’s recruitment timeline. Harrell, who ousted Adrian Diaz to avoid distractions, now appears poised to bring on someone who might just generate new ones. If Barnes gets the nod, Harrell could be in for a déjà vu of damage control. Read more at KTTH.

The mystery drone craze is spreading coast to coast, with sightings reported from New Jersey military bases to the skies over the Puget Sound. Reddit users are buzzing with claims of car-sized drones flying over Seattle neighborhoods, Tacoma, and beyond, with one video showing a fleet of drones in formation over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

Meanwhile, a New Jersey cop captured footage of a larger drone “birthing” smaller ones, prompting theories ranging from rogue private companies to, yes, alien motherships (or maybe just someone’s overactive imagination). Despite wild speculation, Pentagon officials shot down talk of Iranian motherships, and the FBI claims many sightings are just manned aircraft. As lawmakers demand answers, drone expert Crispy Harrison isn’t buying the sci-fi hype—he thinks it’s more likely tech bros skirting FAA rules than an alien invasion. Read more at MyNorthwest.com.

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