After we first reported his email in the Daily Briefing, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson is now being criticized by others for his outrageous claim that President Trump will cancel the November elections and the only thing stopping him is a possible lawsuit from Ferguson.  Ferguson made this irresponsible and outrageous claim in a fundraising email last week.  Asked to defend his fictitious allegation, Ferguson could only provide a subjective self-serving opinion that because the President has spent “three years breaking all sorts of norms,” it is legitimate to state he will cancel this fall’s election.  This is an embarrassing logic statement, especially from someone who is supposed to be our state’s top legal authority. (Q13’s The Divide and Bob Ferguson’s fundraising email)

Governor Jay Inslee continues to ignore the pleas of those worried about the regions’ housing shortage and the thousands of laid off construction workers, by saying this is not the time to reverse his ban on private home construction during his “stay-at-home” declaration.  His less-than-logical position is especially troublesome to many, because the governor is allowing publicly funded construction to continue (apparently the governor believes the coronavirus only attacks privately financed construction projects) and 45 other states have allowed private construction to continue.  The governor’s actions will only increase the cost of housing in the state, and will unnecessarily force thousands of construction workers onto unemployment compensation. (Builder Online)

Governor Inslee is also rejecting calls to put sport fishing back on the list of allowed outdoor activities.  23 Republican legislators signed a letter to the governor asking him to lift the nonsensical fishing ban because they “firmly believe there is a way to balance public health while also allowing folks to fish on Washington’s many rivers and lakes.”  Inslee did state, in rejecting the request, he hopes to lift the ban “sooner, rather than later.” Maybe if he was asked by some of his campaign donors, instead of Republicans? (NW Sportsman Magazine)

Medical experts are warning that smoking marijuana could increase the risk of contracting the coronavirus.  The experts believe the lung damage caused by marijuana smoking is similar to the respiratory problems caused by tobacco smoking, and thus may increase the chances of contracting the disease.  Yet marijuana retailers are considered “essential” by Governor Inslee. (Yahoo News)

Governor Inslee announced a $5 million grant program to help small businesses impacted by coronavirus.  The grants are aimed at businesses with less than 10 employees and can be for as much as $10,000. The governor also said the Department of Commerce will assist small businesses obtain federal financial assistance. (News Tribune)

The Washington Policy Center has moved its annual Solutions Summit to a virtual live streaming event to be held April 14^th and 15^th.   The Summit will tackle a wide array of important subjects during the two-day event (click here to view the agenda).  Cost to participate is only $10 and as WPC’s Environmental Director Todd Myers said in a social media post, you can participate “while sitting at home in your jammies with a Bloody Mary.” (Washington Policy Center and Facebook)

Physicians for Social Responsibility, a long-time front group for liberal spending, provided an op-ed that demonstrates the group’s leaders may understand medicine, but they fail to understand simple math or government budgets.  The group complains about the “deep cuts” Governor Inslee was asked to make, using line-item vetoes, in the recently passed supplemental budget.  The reality is the governor cut $235 million out of a $53.8 billion dollar budget.  Thus, the group is complaining that the governor saved Washington taxpayers 0.4% (less than one-half of 1 percent).  This is an incredibly weak definition of “deep cuts”, especially when each of savings came from previously non-existing government programs and the state budget has already increased more than 20% from the budget passed two years ago.  But like most liberal organizations, Physicians for Social Responsibility is more concerned about the size and power of government than on the economic well-being of the citizens who must pay government’s bills. (Seattle Times)

Retiring Democrat Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib backed the most liberal current candidate running for his job, Senator Marko Liias (D-Mukilteo).  Habib made the selection of the Seattle styled liberal from Mukilteo over the more moderate Senator Steve Hobbs (D-Lake Stevens) and retiring Congressman Denny Heck, who last week filed paperwork to enter the race.  Ann Davison Sattler and Joseph Brumbles have entered the race as Republicans. (Everett Herald)

A lengthy, 52-page report from the City of Seattle Auditor details many problems within Seattle City Light’s billing procedures.  Similar to many City of Seattle departments, the utility lacked accountability and a professional attitude about customer service. Many of the problems stem from the implementation of a new billing system in 2016, which came in 67% overbudget and cost Seattle taxpayers an additional $34 million over the $51 million originally planned.  (Seattle Times)

Due to the closure of bars and people staying home, Seattle 9-1-1 calls have decreased.  This is a relief to public safety first responders, who are working under extremely stressful conditions during the coronavirus outbreak. (MyNorthwest)

Snohomish County’s Community Transit has again reduced its number of bus routes because of a 70% drop in ridership.  The decrease in passengers has occurred even though the agency has offered free rides on all bus routes through April. (Everett Herald)

Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward and Spokane Valley Mayor Ben Wick will be among the local and state officials to answer questions from the public on the region’s COVID-19 response.  People can watch/participate on City Cable 5 at 6:00 PM, and the Spokane COVID-19 Response Facebook page. (Spokesman-Review and Facebook)

The Home Builders Association of Tri-Cities (HBATC) argues that the governor allowing government-financed projects to continue is proof that home construction can be done safely.  The HBATC sent a letter to Governor Inslee asking that he reverse his ban on private home construction. The letter says the group is concerned that the ban will increase the cost of housing and they are experiencing a rash of vandalism at closed construction sites.  HBATC represents nearly 8,000 employees, many of whom are needlessly unemployed due to the governor’s actions. (YakTriNews)

Yakima City Councilmember Jason White could face censure for social media posts that contradicted what public health officials were advising regarding the coronavirus.  White had said on Facebook that people should take off their masks and get back to work and that the virus does not impact people with healthy immune systems. (Yakima Herald)

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