With November right around the corner, Democrat lawmakers are getting antsy to kick off their 2016 campaigns. They have a lot to lose, since Republicans are closer to winning the House this year than any time since 2002.
There are quite a few state House Democrats who are vulnerable in 2016. Speaker Frank Chopp and other House Democrat leaders haven’t done their targets any favors when it comes to supporting popular policies.
Just consider that they blocked the possibility of bringing up a bill that would establish a [time and time again] voter-approved supermajority vote to raise taxes in the state Legislature. They blocked a bill that would fix the I-405 tolling debacle. And, they even attempted to block a bill that would save public charter schools.
That may help explain why some Democrats—namely those running for statewide office—are doing everything they can to garner the [financial] support they need to overcome their less-than-popular actions.
State Representative Chris Reykdal, for example, decided he would vote against the voter-approved public charter schools fix in an effort to please the Washington Education Association (WEA). Reykdal is running for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, so he needs the WEA’s support and campaign cash.
In an effort to disrupt efforts to pass the bill, Reykdal went as far as to sponsor an amendment to eliminate the requirement that parents be informed of charter school options in their district. Effectively, he pushed parental ignorance when it comes to the education of their children as a policy. That doesn’t sound like someone who should be entrusted with running schools in our state.
Democrat State Senator Cyrus Habib long ago threw his hat into the race for Lieutenant Governor. We can never quite forget that Habib said he hoped for “eventually passing a capital-gains tax or an income tax on the rich” when he was running for state senate. But, since he announced his intention to seek statewide office, Habib has been less forthcoming on his positions.
Habib remained largely silent on public charter schools. He abstained from the vote to save them, so voters don’t have a clear indication of his position on the issue. However, what we do know is that Habib adamantly opposed a bill (using a ridiculous, hyper-partisan argument) that sought to establish a check and balance system on agency rulemaking activity. After all, that policy would limit the control special interests have in Olympia. By taking his position, Habib demonstrated the tone of “leadership” he would bring as Lieutenant Governor.
Then, of course, there is our green, green governor. Jay Inslee will face off against Republican Bill Bryant this year. Undoubtedly, after multiple state agency scandals and a truly lackluster policy record, Inslee is eager to begin the task of trying to fool voters into thinking he’s really an effective leader of our state. Presumably, that’s why Inslee threatened to veto bills if lawmakers did not wrap-up regular session on time.
Undoubtedly, Democrats are counting on being able to rely on California billionaire and extreme “green” hypocrite Tom Steyer’s support. Steyer has already pledged to, once again, involve himself (and his money) in state-level elections.
In any case, we can be certain that—given the battles liberals face in 2016—Democrats’ have just begun their pandering to special interests.
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