This week’s Newsmaker Interview is with noted author Lynn Brewer, who has been investigating the mismanagement of the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) and how one of the largest thefts in American history took place last Spring when hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars were stolen by foreign criminals.  We first heard of Ms. Brewer’s latest effort when Mike Flynn, the former publisher of the Puget Sound Business Journal, wrote about the lawsuit she filed against Jay Inslee’s administration for failing to provide documents Brewer sought in her public disclosure requests. The few documents Brewer has obtained, and the Inslee Administration’s slow response, has led to more troubling questions about what took place at the ESD.  As a former executive at Enron and book author (Confessions of an Enron Executive: A Whistleblower’s Story), Ms. Brewer has first-hand experience with large financial scandals and how executives attempt to cover-up criminal activity. (Shift’s Newsmaker Interview, Flynn’s Harp, and Amazon)

Rumor has it that Governor Inslee is expected to release his next budget proposal on Thursday, December 17^th (he is constitutionally required to submit this by December 20^th).  Shift has been providing some good ideas (such as providing families with funds to offset some of the cost of educating students at home) which we do not expect to be included in the governor’s proposed July 2021 – June 2023 budget, and some bad ideas (like his state income tax on capital gains, and a low carbon fuel standard) which we unfortunately do expect to be in that proposal.

Next among the good ideas which we expect will NOT be part of the governor’s proposed budget is the removal of the state’s discrimination against charter schools and the at-risk students which they primarily serve.  Charter schools are voter-approved public schools in which lower-income and minority students comprise a higher percentage of students than the state’s overall public school system. Yet because the state’s largest teachers union, the Washington Education Association (WEA), does not control charter schools the same way it does other public schools, union leaders have commanded Democrat lawmakers to deny charter schools specific funding sources, which negatively impacts the education these at-risk students receive.  Democrats have kept charter schools from obtaining funds from enrichment levies or bonds which other schools receive.  It is estimated that this costs charter schools between $1,000 – $3,000 per student.  As the Seattle Times editorial stated, “it is past time for die-hard philosophical opponents (i.e. the WEA) to cease their efforts to undermine Washington’s charter schools. Their success — and the success of their students — depends on equitable state support.” (Seattle Times)

In was good to see Governor Inslee and Washington State Democrat Party Chair Tina Podlodowski join Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward in condemning political violence following a scary situation that took place at the Spokane County Democrat Party headquarters. Yet it is very telling that Inslee and Podlodowski only come out against political violence when the potential targets are people whose political philosophy aligns with their own, but remain embarrassingly quiet when their political allies are the ones committing violence on others.

Governor Inslee and Chair Podlodowski (along with nearly all other elected Democrat officials in the state) were completely silent this past summer when violent liberal protestors took over portions of Seattle’s Capitol Hill, damaged numerous businesses, violently assaulted police officers (such as a former Democrat legislator’s stepson being charged in assaulting a police officer with a baseball bat), and even attempted mass murder by locking in police personnel in their precinct while attempting to set the building on fire.  Despite numerous calls from many to condemn these violent actions by liberal activists, both Inslee and Podlodowski refused to comment (Inslee went so far as to look foolish in denying he had even heard about the CHAZ violence instead of condemning his fellow liberals).

Within hours of the Spokane incident (in which the suspect appears from public reports to have mental issues and only targeted the Spokane Democrats because the office was closer to him), both Inslee and Podlodowski attempting to use the unfortunate event for political gain by blasting out emails condemning political violence.  It is too bad their previous hypocritical behavior dilutes their current message.

If Inslee and Podlodowski want people to take their statements against political violence seriously, then they need to be consistent and also condemn the violent behavior of their fellow liberals.  Until then, their words seem a tad meaningless. (Spokesman Review, Rebecca Perry Twitter,  Inslee email, and Washington State Democrat Party email)

It appears the weather will cooperate for the Open Schools Now Rally scheduled to take place Saturday afternoon on the Capitol Plaza in Olympia.  Parents and students from across Washington State are expected to participate in this event, aimed at encouraging Governor Inslee and school officials to follow the data and scientific evidence that indicates there are safe ways to return students to schools.  The rally is scheduled to start at 2:00 PM, but organizers are encouraging people to get there early. Click here for more details. (Open Schools Now Rally flyer and Open Schools Now Facebook page)

Democrat legislators appear set to propose an income tax on capital gains in the 2021 legislative session, despite it being unconstitutional in Washington State.  The state’s constitution prohibits unequal taxes on income and other property, and all other states with an income tax and the IRS define capital gains as income.  Yet Democrat lawmakers are hoping that if they pass the legislation to open up another tax stream, their fellow liberals on the Washington State Supreme Court will find some “technical” reason to allow the tax to be fully implemented. (The Lens)

Washington State House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox is helping others recognize the pain caused by Governor Inslee’s “emergency” restrictions are being shared unevenly.  While government employees, workers for large businesses and retailers, and hi-tech workers have seen very little disruption in their paychecks, the governor’s actions have severely impacted those who work for small retailers and restaurants. Wilcox was critical of Governor Inslee’s narrow perspective and failing to consider the mental health, educational, and financial aspects of the pandemic and subsequent government restrictions. “Fighting COVID cannot be the only priority we consider. It is critical that we have a much broader view and that we think about all the pain the people of Washington are going through.” (House Republican Caucus podcast)

Experienced and well-trained officers continue to flee the Seattle Police Department as they respond to the insulting budgetary actions of the Seattle City Council, and the lack of support they have received from the city’s liberal establishment.  Reports reveal that an additional 33 officers have left the department since the beginning of November.  At least 130 officers have now departed the city recently, and the numbers will grow as many officers have applications pending in other communities. Department officials are becoming concerned about the depletion of the police force and whether it can keep the public safe. (MyNorthwest)

A Democrat King County Councilmember wants to limit free speech by only allowing those who agree with his political perspective to advertise on King County Metro buses.  In the latest example of the “tolerant” Left wanting to limit free speech, Democrat Councilmember Dave Upthegrove is siding with his fellow Lefties at the Sierra Club in attempting to stop natural gas companies from being able to purchase advertising on buses, just because he is against using natural gas to heat homes.  Perhaps someone could deliver a copy of the constitution to the councilman, and maybe an abridged version of the Federalist Papers so he can learn more about the founding principles of our country. (Seattle Times)

Washington State University will be conducting a survey on how farmers use water in irrigating their crops.  Water rights issues are continuing to grow in importance across the Northwest, and the survey is part of a federal effort to learn how the limited water supply can be used more efficiently. (Pacific Northwest AG Network)

BabylonBee Friday

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