Democrat legislators are like the townsfolk in the famous tale, they are too afraid to tell Emperor Inslee that he has no new clothes and that the state budget is in shambles.  While the governor keeps failing during his one-man rule over the state during the coronavirus pandemic, Democrat legislators shirk their responsibilities and refuse to join Republican lawmakers to reconvene the legislature to repair the state budget, which is crashing due to an estimated $8.8 billion shortfall in projected revenue. Instead, Democrat leaders are convinced the best solution is to (conveniently) wait until after the November elections, and then proclaim the only way to fix the state budget is to raise taxes. (Shift)

The News Tribune has joined the chorus of state newspapers calling on Governor Jay Inslee to convene a special session of the legislature to fix the budget deficit, due to the massive shortfall in tax revenues caused by Governor Inslee shutting down the economy during the coronavirus pandemic.  The newspaper is right in stating, “the longer we wait to address the current crisis, the worse it will be.”  As the non-partisan Washington Research Council showed, unless 3% – 9% budget cuts are made now, cuts as high as 28% will need to be made later to balance the budget.  Of course, Inslee and the Democrat legislators plan to use the prospect of these future cuts to fuel the desire of government union bosses to make sure new and higher taxes are imposed on Washington State citizens, to keep increasing the size, power, and cost of state government.  The governor (who already gave state employees a pay raise last month, while state revenues were crashing) will continue to do whatever the union bosses demand, as he seeks their support for a cabinet position in a possible Biden Administration. (News Tribune)

The Everett Herald reports that 20,000 Washington residents are still waiting to receive payments from the dysfunctional Employment Security Department (ESD).  Frustrated recipients are forced to wait on hold for hours and rarely receive the opportunity to speak with a live voice when they inquire about an update on their benefit payments.  One would think Governor Inslee would spend a little more time and attention working to solve the many ongoing problems and administrative incompetency within his ESD (instead of wasting time searching for microphones to talk about partisan federal issues), since this massive failure will likely be brought up in a U.S. Senate confirmation hearing for a cabinet position in a possible Biden Administration.  (Everett Herald)

As opposed to Washington State’s neighbors in Oregon, Idaho, and California, Washington State Governor Inslee has stubbornly refused to do the right thing, and reconvene the legislature to fix the state’s budget mess.  Last week the Washington Policy Center held an informative webinar with legislators and policy analysts, on the impact of the governor and Democrat legislative leaders not allowing the legislative branch have a say in how state funds are being distributed during the coronavirus pandemic. A video of the webinar can be viewed by clicking on the links. (Washington Policy Center)

Tributes to the late Senator Slade Gorton continued over the weekend, as his public service was honored, and his much-admired integrity provides important lessons for future leaders.  Brandi Kruse used her weekly commentary to extol Senator Gorton’s belief that leaders should “try to leave the country better when they leave it.”  In following Gorton’s example, Kruse said, “We have to work together. We have to try to understand each other in order to ultimately improve our own lives. There is no other way.” (Q13 The Divide)

A Seattle Times article attempts to condemn the thoughtful process used by Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best in determining if she should resign her position to protest the city council’s treatment of the police department.  The story implies that Chief Best was not completely honest about the timing and reasons for her resignation, because she had personally researched the impact of her resignation on her pension.  As opposed to the Seattle City Council, which made knee-jerk reactionary decisions to slash police funding by an arbitrary 50% following violent protests, Chief Best used due diligence to learn and consider her options before making a life-changing career decision.  (Seattle Times)

The organizer of effort to recall Seattle Councilmember Kshama Sawant was fired from his job with a non-profit that is dependent on City of Seattle funding.  While the organization, Three Dollar Bill Cinema, claims Ernie Lou was fired for unrelated reasons, Lou claims it was because he is seeking the removal of the controversial councilmember.  Lou’s dismissal occurred just days after the Recall Sawant campaign was launched.  Lou claims that the non-profit was “inundated and bullied” by supporters of Sawant’s immediately after the petition drive became public.  It is illegal in the City of Seattle to discriminate against a person due to their political beliefs, but that has never mattered to socialists like Sawant.  (MyNorthwest and the Municipal Code for the City of Seattle)

Several groups which have lobbied Seattle councilmembers to break campaign promises and instead support measures to defund the Seattle Police Department have been conducting lobbying activities while not having to register as lobbyist.  A Seattle Times editorial notes that the groups (Decriminalize Seattle and King County Equity Now) are using loopholes to avoid public detection of their activities.  While the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission made suggestions on how to close these loopholes over a year ago, the Seattle City Council has yet to find it necessary to make government transparent by acting on the commission’s suggestions. (Seattle Times)

The City of Everett launched its “streatery” program last week, allowing businesses to use sidewalks and public parking spaces to expand the area where they can serve the public.  Many Washington cities have begun similar measures for restaurants and bars, but Everett has also included other retailers in its program. It is free to apply for the permit and, if approved, the city will provide fencing and signage. (Everett Herald)

Due to the state closures of pools and restrictions on other activities, more people are spending more time in area lakes and waterways, which has increased the number of water rescues and drownings.  Thus far this summer, the Seattle Fire Department and the Seattle Police Harbor Patrol have responded to 56 water rescues, and there have been 15 drownings.  (Seattle Times)

Yakima County, which was once the center of the state’s coronavirus outbreak, continues to experience a drop in new cases.  On Sunday, only 17 new cases were confirmed.  This was the 10^th consecutive day that fewer than 60 cases were reported.  Earlier this summer over 200 new cases were being reported daily. (Yakima Herald)

The Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce has announced that holiday lights will still be lit in the community, but to reduce crowds, the Christmas Lighting festival will be cancelled.  Lights will be on from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day but there will no longer be the nightly lighting ceremonies that take place on weekends. (Wenatchee World)

Despite a 50% reduction in riders, Spokane Transit Authority (STA) says it will not impose a reduction in services.  Because STA received federal funding through the CARES Act, it can continue its regular services which it believes is necessary for essential workers to get to their jobs. The STA has also seen a 44% reduction in riders in its disabled and senior services. (Spokesman-Review)

Do you like The Daily Briefing?

Please consider making a contribution to ensure Shift continues to provide daily updates on the shenanigans of the liberal establishment.

Forward this to a friend.  It helps us grow our community and serve you better.

You can also follow SHIFTWA on social media by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

If you feel we missed something that should be covered, email us at [email protected]