Republican Senator Keith Wagoner is once again attempting to overcome Democrat objections to having the contributions of Chinese Americans recognized by the state.
State
The first bill to be “pre-filed” in the Washington State Senate would declare January as Americans of Chinese descent history month and encourage (not mandate) state schools to commemorate the contributions of Chinese Americans. The bill (SB 5000) was introduced by Senator Keith Wagoner (R – Sedro Woolley) who sponsored a similar bill (SB 5264) during the last legislative session. Unfortunately, after the Senate unanimously passed the bill during the 2022 legislative session, Democrat House members (mostly “led” by Democrat Representative Cindy Ryu) killed the measure because she believes only liberal organizations and politicians should receive credit for honoring various ethnic groups and their heritage. This outraged many members of the state’s Chinese American community, who pointed out that Democrat Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins represents a Tacoma district which has a dark history for expelling those who were Chinese in 1885.
The bill is strongly supported by the moderate organization WA Asians for Equality, a group successful in 2019 in helping voters reject at the polls (through Referendum 88) a legislative measure to impose affirmative action quotas on state government. Representative Ryu was able to convince Speaker Jinkins to pull the bill from the House floor based on the fact that WA Asians for Equity is not a liberal special interest group and thus should not receive credit for promoting this bill. The legislature has previously honored the heritage of other Asian communities, including those who are Japanese, Korean, and Filipino. (Washington Legislative Bill Summary, WA Asians for Equality, MyNorthwest, and Washington Secretary of State election totals)
15 Republican members of the Washington State Senate sent a letter to Governor Jay Inslee encouraging him to work with legislators to move forward on methods to increase the use of green and renewable nuclear power in the state. The Republicans asserted that there have been great advancements made (many by Washington-based companies) in nuclear technology to make it a safe generator of clean energy, and it could be vital as the state seeks to meet its goal to be free of carbon emissions by 2045. The letter states, “Nuclear energy can help fill the gap between hydropower and other renewables that we will need to address—now—if we are going to keep our economy going.”
While the governor’s office has previously made some positive comments regarding nuclear energy, the governor has yet to come out as a strong advocate for producing small nuclear modular reactors despite them being a climate-friendly energy source. This reluctance by the governor is due to pressure from many liberal special interest groups which remain stuck in the 1970s and oppose advancing nuclear technology. (Senate Republican Caucus letter to Governor Inslee page 1 & page 2 and The Center Square)
The Vancouver Columbian, which is normally a strong supporter of liberal objectives and politicians, was critical of Washington Democrat lawmakers for not having a plan in place to build the necessary infrastructure before imposing a law forbidding the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035. A Columbian editorial focused on the concerning comments made by Democrat Senate Transportation Committee Chair Marko Liias, who should be THE legislature’s leading expert on the infrastructure needed to power the millions of electric vehicles the state is now requiring consumers to buy in the next decade. When asked what the state’s policies will be to provide the necessary infrastructure, the senator said, “As often in public life, we’re building an airplane while we’re flying it.”
This comment did not instill confidence in many state residents, who might choose to believe that such details about electric car fueling stations and our state’s power grid capabilities should have been worked out before imposing such a major transportation restriction which will impact every Washington resident’s life. The Columbian stated, “leaders must develop pragmatic solutions rather (than) relying on wishful thinking.” (Vancouver Columbian)
Western Washington
The City of Seattle has failed to build any affordable housing units on its Fort Lawton property despite development being authorized three-and-a-half years ago. Currently Seattle officials have no timeline for when construction might begin. Despite a citywide housing shortage and a homeless crisis which has resulted in thousands of people living on the streets of Seattle, the bureaucrats at Seattle City Hall continue to dither and bungle the development of low-income housing on a 34-acre piece of land next to Magnolia’s Discovery Park. For nearly 20 years the city has sought to build low-income housing on the property, with the Seattle City Council approving a $90 million plan in 2019 for 240 units of affordable housing. The property was handed over to the city by the U.S. Army, which declared the land surplus in 2005.
Even Democrat career politician Ron Sims is amazed at the city’s slow progress. The former King County Executive and Deputy Secretary for Housing and Urban Development said, “This is a lethargy that’s inexplicable. You just need to get this done.” When asked why this is taking so long, a spokesperson for the city’s Office of Housing conveniently used the COVID pandemic as an excuse, despite not one city worker losing a taxpayer-funded paycheck during the pandemic since all were supposed to be working. If they weren’t working, then why were they paid? (Seattle Times)
Eastern Washington
Governor Jay Inslee decided to be partisan and divisive in his latest visit to Spokane, failing to meet with either Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward or Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich regarding the large encampment his administration has allowed to grow on Washington State Department of Transportation property. Both the mayor and the sheriff have invited the governor to visit and discuss what needs to take place to find shelter for the 400 residents who remain at “Camp Hope” (the inappropriate name liberal spin doctors gave the large encampment, which one resident said she be called “The Lord of the Flies on drugs” due to the rapes and brutal beatings which repeatedly take place).
Most of the current residents have chosen not to accept shelter provided by the city and are currently living in tents that are surrounded by a foot of snow. Both the Sheriff and Mayor Woodward’s office confirmed that for the second time in two weeks the governor (who rarely visits Spokane or any place east of the Cascade Mountains) has refused to discuss the encampment and residents’ future with local officials. Instead the governor made a quick visit to a former Quality Inn the state purchased to eventually house about 100 homeless individuals. (The Center Square, KXLY TV, and KHQ)
Washington State University has begun a suicide prevention program aimed at farmers and farmworkers. A spokesperson for the program stated that the isolation caused by the COVID pandemic has intensified mental health problems, and those who live in rural communities don’t have the access to treatment programs. He also stated that farming is an incredibly stressful occupation and that many farmers are carrying the burden of the multi-generational family tradition of being a farmer. The stress has likely increased for Washington farmers during the past few years as urban Democrat lawmakers with no agricultural experience are imposing various measures that either make farming more expensive or restricts their ability to grow and harvest products. (KUOW/NPR)
Senator Brad Hawkins (R – East Wenatchee) has pre-filed a bill to allow Chelan and Douglas County to partner on a Regional Aquatic Center and Sports Complex. The bill (SB 5001) will allow local governments to seek voter approval to finance construction of the facility on a 283-acre site north of East Wenatchee at the Wenachi Landing. Democrat Senator Sam Hunt has co-sponsored the bill since Olympia is also considering constructing an aquatic center. (Wenatchee World and Washington Legislature Bill Summary)
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].