Democrats in Olympia have unveiled their latest budget masterpiece: drain the Rainy Day Fund, slash child care for low-income families, assume billions from an income tax that doesn’t even kick in until 2029, and somehow still run a deficit.

Bravo.

The Senate’s $79.3 billion plan and the House’s $79.2 billion version both increase spending compared to last year—even after lawmakers already passed billions in new taxes to plug what was once a $16 billion shortfall. Now, despite better-than-expected revenue forecasts, Democrats are still tapping more than $700 million (closer to $880 million in the House) from the state’s rainy day reserves.

Because apparently “rainy day” now means “we overspent again.”

They’re also carving more than $800 million out of a child care program for low-income families over four years—while funneling up to $1.3 billion to cover skyrocketing lawsuit payouts tied to years of government misconduct. The message: We can’t control the bureaucracy, but families will just have to adjust.

Meanwhile, Democrats are banking on more than $2 billion from a 9.9% income tax on earnings above $1 million—even though they admit the revenue won’t show up until 2029 and the courts may toss it out entirely. That’s not budgeting. That’s wish-casting.

To juggle the numbers, lawmakers are also sweeping cash from pension funds, public works accounts, and climate dollars, while pushing real tax rollbacks conveniently into 2030. Today’s spending spree; tomorrow’s problem.

Republicans call it a “spending addiction.” Hard to argue when even with rising revenues, Democrats still can’t balance the books without raiding reserves and promising money they don’t have.

Olympia’s formula hasn’t changed: grow government, grow taxes, and hope the math works out later. Read more at Washington State Standard.

More than 100,000 Washington residents have now signed in to oppose Senate Bill 6346 — the Democrats’ 9.9% income tax on so-called “high earners.” According to Senate Republican Leader John Braun, that’s the highest opposition total to any bill in state history.

Naturally, Democrats’ response wasn’t “maybe voters don’t like new income taxes.” It was: must be bots.

No evidence offered. No audit produced. Just a convenient way to dismiss six figures of angry constituents who took the time to log in and register opposition.

Earlier this month, 62,000 people signed in against the bill ahead of its Senate hearing — already a record. Now that number has blown past 100,000 as the bill heads to the House. That’s not a glitch. That’s momentum.

Republicans argue the bill isn’t even truly limited to millionaires. The under-$1-million deduction is temporary, meaning future lawmakers could quietly shrink or eliminate it. Amendments to permanently cap the tax to millionaires? Rejected. An effort to remove language blocking a referendum challenge? Also rejected.

Translation: Trust us.

Despite historic public opposition, SB 6346 already passed the Senate and is now moving through the House. So while Democrats pitch it as a “millionaires only” fairness measure, over 100,000 Washingtonians aren’t buying it.

But hey — maybe they’re just very politically engaged robots. Read more at Seattle Red.

Washington’s transportation officials just delivered a sobering update: 342 state-managed bridges are now at least 80 years old, and replacing aging structures could cost taxpayers a cool $9.2 billion.

The Washington State Department of Transportation oversees 3,427 bridges. Nearly 10% are now rated in poor condition—up from 8.5% just one year ago. The average bridge lifespan is 75 years. Washington’s average bridge age? Nearly 52 years and climbing.

Translation: The clock isn’t ticking. It’s blaring.

WSDOT officials compared the situation to a homeowner trying to stretch a 35-year roof into 50 years—eventually you’re slapping on a blue tarp in the middle of a storm. That’s essentially what’s happening statewide, as crews bounce from pothole emergencies to structural problems instead of doing preventive maintenance.

Take the Fairfax Bridge, the gateway to Mount Rainier. For years, simple repainting—roughly $5 million back in 2013—could have extended its life. Instead, after decades of deferred maintenance, it’s closed and may now cost taxpayers $160 million to replace.

That’s not bad luck. That’s neglect.

Governor Bob Ferguson recently touted a $2.1 billion preservation package for the next decade, with about $1.1 billion earmarked for bridges. But critics point out Fairfax wasn’t even included—and Republicans argue the funding has long existed but was diverted elsewhere.

Under Democratic leadership, revenue from the Climate Commitment Act has flowed toward fish passage and ferry electrification, while most highway and bridge projects were sidelined.

Now officials admit the system is at a “tipping point,” stuck in what they describe as a “downward spiral” and a game of infrastructure whack-a-mole.

Washington didn’t suddenly wake up with 80-year-old bridges. This was predictable. The only surprise is that anyone is pretending it wasn’t. Read more at Center Square.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung lit into Pramila Jayapal after she reposted an obviously fake C-SPAN caller claiming to be “John Barron,” a pseudonym once used by Donald Trump.

The clip, originally amplified by online provocateur Aaron Rupar, featured a painfully bad impersonation of Trump reacting to a 6–3 Supreme Court of the United States decision against his tariffs. The caller rambled, tossed out cartoonish insults, and praised “true Americans” in a tone so exaggerated it practically came with a wink.

Most people clocked it immediately as parody.

Jayapal’s reaction? One word: “wow.”

That was enough for Cheung to pounce, blasting the repost and mocking the congresswoman for taking the bait. The online back-and-forth quickly overshadowed the actual Supreme Court ruling, which had already ignited strong reactions on both sides.

The episode highlights a familiar dynamic: viral clip, instant outrage, zero verification. In the rush to dunk on political opponents, even seasoned lawmakers can amplify obvious hoaxes — and then act surprised when they get dunked on right back.

“Wow,” indeed. Read more at Seattle Red.

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