National labor group attacking GOP candidates, violating campaign law

Working America — an organization allied with the AFL-CIO but comprised of people who don’t belong to unions — has joined the fight to turn back the clock in the Washington State Senate by restoring a Democrat majority. Joining the efforts of California billionaire Tom Steyer, Working American is targeting Sen. Andy Hill’s re-election bid in the 45^th Legislative District.

A recent flyer delivered by paid doorbellers for Working America attacks Sen. Hill by distorting his proven record of prioritizing education at all levels. But, since SHIFT is working to shine the light on false campaign allegations trumpeted by far-left groups like Working America, the flyer was sent to us by a concerned reader.

And, as SHIFT recently reported, with Sen. Hill as budget writer, the state budget re-prioritized spending and added nearly $1 billion more in new money for K-12 schools and froze tuition for the first time in 30 years. The state budget prioritized education over non-education spending at a 4:1 ratio—again, for the first time in 30 years. By contrast, under the Democrat-controlled budgets, the education over non-education spending ratio was 1:2 (that’s two dollars for bigger government for every new dollar of education funding).

Working America also claims Sen. Hill blocked a transportation package during the 2014 legislative session—an accusation that has been popping up in liberals’ attacks, and a clear sign Democrats are growing increasingly desperate. The truth is that the failure of a transportation package lies at the feet of Democrats, who held a transportation package hostage to raising taxes. The Senate Majority Coalition Caucus presented a transportation bill during the 2014 legislative session. Unfortunately, Federal Way Sen. Tracey Eide, Democrat co-chair of the Transportation Committee, actively worked to prevent any changes made at the State Department of Transportation.  In fact, Eide actually admitted to preventing the transportation bill from coming to a vote because she needed “leverage” to raise taxes.

Working America may soon find themselves in hot water due to possible violations of campaign rules in Washington State. According to our sources, Working America is actively campaigning for Democrat candidates in at least three top State Senate races. The group has hired an in-state office manager. The job description placed on an online job hunt website refers to handling the recruitment and payroll of canvassers. Paid canvassers are disseminating the flyer referred to above in a door-to-door push. Yet, Working America has not filed with the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC). A cease and desist letter has been filed with the PDC.

SHIFT will update with any new information.

You can check out Working America’s attack flyer here.