Jesse Jensen is this week’s Shift’s Newsmaker Interview, as we continue to bring readers each of the GOP candidates running to challenge Representative Kim Schrier next November in the 8^th Congressional District.  Jensen is a highly decorated combat veteran who served four tours of duty in Afghanistan.  His first experience in politics was in 2020, when he surprised many political pundits by coming within 2.5% of defeating Representative Schrier, despite being outspent $5.4 million to $850,000.  Jensen’s 2022 campaign is focused on reversing the current inflationary economy he attributes to Democrats in Washington, D.C.  Jensen asserts that Representative Schrier needs to be replaced because “She’s put the far-Left agenda ahead of Washington families.” (Click to read full Newsmaker Interview)

Inflation hits highest mark since 1982 – will it cause Democrats to provide tax relief? The Washington Policy Center provides an interesting local take on the national inflation news, asking the question that since “(p)rices are 6.8% higher than a year ago, which is the highest inflation increase since June 1982,” will Jay Inslee be moved to “recognize this and provide some tax relief for Washingtonians in next week’s budget proposal”? Seems like far too good of an idea, which is why the governor pretty much dismissed it out of hand. (Washington Policy Center)

State Senate Democrats put transportation policy in the back seat, promote pro-congestion zealot Marko Liias as new head of Senate’s Transportation Committee. Nothing says “doomed to failure” quite like putting Senator Liias in charge, whether it’s his three losses while seeking a bigger government paycheck, his controversial side jobs to keep getting government paychecks, or his own personal bankruptcy due to a lack of government paychecks. So naturally, with the far-Left Senate Democrats wanting to stop putting money into roads so they can buy shiny new transit trains, Sen. Liias was a natural pick to take over the committee (after Jay Inslee removed Steve Hobbs from the Senate with a higher paying government job, of course). (The Herald)

Socialism still sweet in Seattle – at least to voters in the Third District.  Seattle’s own Socialist City Councilmember Kshama Sawant appears to have slipped the noose of recall, coming from an election-night deficit to claim a 232-vote lead, after yesterday’s counts put Third District turnout above 40,000 votes. The Seattle Times reports that “with 591 ballots being challenged because of the signatures — more than twice as many than the current vote spread — and mailed ballots slowly coming in until Dec. 16,” that the decision may not be final for another week.  As an election spokesperson said, “It’s just going to be a bit of a trickle up until it’s certified.” Gee, we can hardly wait. (Seattle Times)

Out of control crime shuts public out of Tacoma library branch – but drug dealers still hanging around. The COVID pandemic has closed plenty of public spaces over the last 20 months, but now we’re returning to the days when simple intimidation can do the trick.  According to News Tribune reporting, the Mottet branch on Tacoma’s Eastside will temporarily stop in-person service “until March, citing safety concerns and ‘suspected criminal activity.’ ” Staff claims that suspects “are using the facility to distribute drugs”, though a police spokesperson said, “police don’t have evidence of drug dealing at the library but that community liaison officers and the sector lieutenants are working with the library to come up with strategies to address the issues.”

Of more concern than coming up with “strategies” to fight a problem the police won’t/can’t find or fix, is that even after shutting the public out last week, staff says “that since the doors closed, the people who have been intimidating staff members have been seen coming onto the property and staring through windows.” (The News Tribune)

So much for his “existential crisis”: Governor Inslee is preparing to throw away another $386,000 in taxpayer dollars on a study to tell him what he (and everybody else) already know – the four lower Snake Rivers Dams provide renewable hydroelectric energy and cleaner transportation options for agricultural products, both of which reduce carbon emissions. The governor never misses an opportunity to talk about the need for action to address climate change, and his hypocrisy in focusing on removing Eastern Washington dams is the reason for an opinion piece in today’s Spokesman Review. Yes, some of his biggest donors demand the dams be removed, but what of Inslee’s commitment to “science”? Washington Policy Center writers highlight that “Washingtonians need leaders who will stand up for green energy and our clean, renewable sources of power. “Studies” and threats to tear the dams down amount to failed leadership.” Of course, if it weren’t for failed leadership, we would not have any kind at all under Inslee. (Spokesman-Review)

Engage the debate – lock up public lands, or follow the lead of local stakeholders to conserve our shared lands? Washington Congressman Dan Newhouse, himself a former state agriculture commissioner, highlights his fight for “those of us who live and work in rural America every day who know best how to protect our natural resources” in a Tri-City Herald op-ed. Congressman Newhouse provides his experience at “working to empower states, local governments, tribes, private landowners, and others to continue their great work to conserve our lands, restore habitats and ecosystems, and ensure a healthy environment for future generations.” (Tri-City Herald)

Governor Jay Inslee is required by law to release his latest budget plan next week.  Given his record of always proposing tax increases (primarily to benefit his special interest donors), we’re not optimistic about his ability to refrain from – once again – demanding tax hikes. After all, Democrats – led by Inslee – went so far as to jam through new taxes last session in the middle of a pandemic, despite record-high revenues coming in.  Meanwhile Republican lawmakers are pushing for ways to reduce the tax burden and eliminate many of the failed policies which have negatively impacted our state.  Let us know which taxes you believe should be repealed and what policies should be removed by participating in Shift’s Holiday Madness Match-Up.  By participating in the three-round tournament, you can let Republican leaders know where they should focus their 2022 legislative session efforts.  (Play Holiday Madness Match-up by clicking on the link)

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