Having demonstrated an inability to actually solve problems by negotiating legislative deals like his predecessor, Jay Inslee has decided to copy President Barrack Obama, his former colleague in Washington, D.C. dysfunction, and go his own way.
Which, of course, is likely bad news for our state’s economy and solving the problems like public education underfunding and failing transportation infrastructure which have exploded under 30 years of Democrat rule in Olympia.
Inslee hinted at his desire to ignore the wishes of the general public and the legislators who represent them during the recent session, when he put a moratorium on the death penalty while he’s in office. Now comes two other stories which have highlighted Inslee’s desire to utilize ill-defined Executive actions to move the state even further left.
The Everett Herald reports that “In the coming months, it is anticipated he will issue a variety of executive orders to undertake new policies, practices and initiatives outside the reach of legislators.” Specifically mentioned are actions impacting the minimum wage for government contractors or requiring that state agencies overpay for low-carbon fuel in state vehicles.
The Herald notes that legislators in both parties are resigned to such a misguided approach, and have accepted that “the congressman-turned-governor is a product of his past political life in Washington, D.C.”, and unlikely to try to govern in anything but the most extremely partisan manner.
The Washington Wire also points out that Inslee doesn’t even trust his own agency appointees to make decisions, and that the “one of the biggest environmental questions in ages is being kicked upstairs to the governor’s office”. That is the controversial fish consumption rate question which – if Inslee’s extreme environmental campaign funders get their way – could mean a decision which establishes water quality standards which can’t even be met using current technologies.
So much for science-based governing. Maybe he covered that is his book.
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