Several groups file amicus briefs with the Washington State Supreme Court stating the Democrats’ income tax on capital gains is clearly unconstitutional.
State
Several moderate and conservative groups filed “friend of the court” (amicus) briefs this week to support those who have challenged the Democrats’ state income tax on capital gains. The Washington State Supreme Court will hear appeal arguments January 26th, after a Douglas County Superior Court ruled last March that the Democrats’ new tax is unconstitutional. Groups including the Washington Retail Association, Building Industry Association of Washington, Washington Policy Center, and the Citizen Action Defense Fund have all filed amicus briefs with the Supreme Court arguing their belief that over 100 years of legal precedent in state courts, as well as the opinions of the IRS and 49 other states, all clearly demonstrate that a tax on capital gains is a tax on income, which is illegal in Washington State. (BIAW media release, Yakima Herald, Washington Retail Association media release, Washington Policy Center, and Citizen Action Defense Fund media release)
Governor Jay Inslee will be releasing his biennial budget proposal Wednesday afternoon, but only credentialed media members can attend, while those watching the proceedings virtually will not be allowed to ask questions of the governor. Jason Mercier of the Washington Policy Center says this is change in the traditional manner in which normal governors have released their budgets, since he (not a credentialed media member) was free to attend budget release events for Governors Locke and Gregoire. (Governor’s office media release and Mercier Twitter post)
The Washington State Department of Transportation is giving motorists until March 1st to pay overdue fines before the state will again add late fees and penalties. Any outstanding tolls will be assessed a $40 late fee and could result in the driver not being able to receive new car tabs. (MyNorthwest)
Western Washington
Seven years after both the City of Seattle and King County declared homelessness an emergency, another record number of people have died on the streets of Seattle. On November 2, 2015, Democrat King County Executive Dow Constantine and former Seattle Mayor Ed Murray stood in front of other liberal politicians to declare an emergency due to the number of people who were then experiencing homelessness in the region. Since then, Democrats have spent billions in taxpayer funds, all levels of government have increased their “homelessness bureaucracy,” and the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (with its growing budget and already expanding bureaucracy) has been created. Yet the homeless problem continues to get worse. Tragically, the city reported 178 people dying on the streets in 2021, and thus far in 2022 at least 253 unhoused people have died. Despite this dramatic failure, all levels of government (city, county, KCRHA, state, and federal) will continue to use the problem as an excuse to raise taxes higher and increase the size of government. (KUOW/NPR and King County media release)
Seattle City Council President Debra Juarez strongly hinted at a meeting yesterday that she would not be running for re-election in 2023. Councilmember Juarez has “represented” the 5th City Council District (North Seattle) since 2015. The Seattle Times reported that Councilmember Juarez said at a council meeting on Monday that 2023 will be her last year. Councilmember Lisa Herbold, who has represented West Seattle since 2015, announced last Friday that she would not be running for reelection next year. The seven councilmembers elected by council districts (as opposed to the two “at-large” councilmembers elected citywide) are scheduled for re-election in 2023, though it now appears at least two of those members have chosen retirement before voters forced it upon them.
Like all current members of the council, Juarez has followed the extreme liberal position on nearly all issues, resulting in many disastrous city policies on homelessness, taxation, wealth disparity, transportation, housing, and a budget deficit. She did though vote against several of the council’s most destructive anti-police measures. Councilmember Juarez received some notoriety in 2019, when she was seen by millions in a viral video treating a member of the public rudely as he attempted to express his views at a city council meeting. (Seattle Times and YouTube/Seattle City Council meeting video)
Eastern Washington
Attorneys for a controversial non-profit group which the Inslee Administration is paying to “manage” the large encampment on Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) property in Spokane were successful Monday in obtaining a temporary restraining order to prevent local authorities from clearing the encampment and placing the residents in shelters. Jewels Helping Hands has a very contentious history for taking taxpayer money to manage homeless facilities in Spokane and it has been receiving funding from the state to manage the “Camp Hope” encampment on WSDOT land, which has been described by some residents as “The Lord of the Flies Camp” due to the number of rapes and beatings which have taken place inside its fences. Local authorities, who have expressed concerns over the violence inside the camp, as well as the increase in crimes in neighboring blocks, have sought to remove the encampment due to it being a public nuisance.
The city opened up a new shelter on Trent Avenue to help house some of the nearly 400 people who remain in tents in the camp that is now covered in snow. All of the current encampment residents have been offered shelter, but they have chosen to remain at Camp Hope either because they are seeking better accommodations provided by the state or they don’t want to abide by the personal conduct restrictions placed on those in the city-funded shelter. A federal judge on Monday approved a restraining order which Jewels Helping Hands was seeking to prevent local officials from cleaning up the camp, to ensure that the Inslee administration could keep people living outdoors on WSDOT property through Christmas. This ruling will also allow Jewels to continue to be paid by Washington taxpayers through the holidays.
Following the judge’s ruling, Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward released a statement encouraging Camp Hope residents to come in from the cold and receive assistance from the city. “We want people to know they have options other than living outdoors in the snow and freezing temperatures,” the mayor said. “Our message to people is to come in out of the weather while you get connected to a more permanent housing option.” (Spokesman Review, Shift, KXLY TV, and Mayor Woodward media release)
Many Washington State farmers reported that they cut the hours of their workers during recent harvest weeks due to the Democrats imposing costly overtime pay rules. Last year farmers had to pay time-and-a-half overtime wages for any employee who worked more than 55 hours in a week. Next year the threshold will be 48 hours, and then just 40 hours in 2024. This mostly impacts farmers during harvest times, when all of the crops need to be gathered during a short window before they spoil.
Several farmers said in the survey conducted by the Washington Farm Bureau that they cut workers’ hours (and thus paycheck amounts) instead of paying overtime. They also said they plan to do the same when the overtime threshold is reduced in the coming years. One orchardist said the Democrats’ overtime regulations are hurting the seasonal workers the hardest since their paychecks will be much smaller. “I feel bad for these hard-working people spending so much time away from their families and not being able to work longer hours to generate more income for their families.” There are several proposals being discussed by Republican legislators to help the workers obtain larger paychecks, including having 50 hours be the permanent limit before a farmer must pay overtime wages. (Capitol Press)
Our condolences to readers who are supporters of Washington State University football – indeed all of college football — over the sudden passing of former Cougar head coach Mike Leach at the age of 61. The outspoken and always entertaining coach passed away on Monday in Mississippi, where he had led the Mississippi State football team for the past three seasons. He had been the football coach at WSU for the previous eight years, where his teams were 55 – 47. Before coming to Pullman, Leach led the Texas Tech team for 10 years, going 84 – 43, featuring the high-powered offense he was known for throughout his career. (Spokesman-Review)
Newsmaker Interview
Shift’s Newsmaker Interview was a pre-session discussion on the issues facing the Washington State Legislature with Republican Senate Leader John Braun of Centralia. Senator Braun was first elected to the Senate in 2012 and was voted GOP caucus leader prior to the start of the 2021 legislative session. The upcoming 2023 session will be the first time Senator Braun will lead his caucus without COVID restrictions placed on legislative activity and public participation.
In his in-depth interview, Senator Braun provides his thoughts on a wide assortment of issues. He states his belief that the return of public participation in the legislative process should deliver better policies. Sen. Braun provides his thoughts on whether Democrats are willing to reverse their disastrous policies on restricting police pursuits and essentially decriminalizing possession of lethal drugs. The U.S. Navy veteran and captain in the Naval Reserves also shares his thoughts on Washington students learning loss due to the liberals’ COVID restrictions, emergency powers reform, implementation of the Democrats’ long-term care payroll tax (WACares), and the Democrats’ latest proposal to take money from state residents – the “Washington Future Fund.” (Click to read full Newsmaker Interview)
Overheard on the Interwebs...
Please Support The Daily Briefing
Do you like The Daily Briefing? Do you want to keep seeing coverage of issues which are important to you?
Shift was the only Washington media outlet in 2022 to interview legislative candidates to obtain their views on the important issues facing Washington State voters.
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].