This week’s Newsmaker Interview is with Joe Fain, President and CEO of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce and former Washington State Senator from the 47^th Legislative District.  Fain provides his unique perspective on Amazon bringing 15,000 jobs to Bellevue, the current political culture, and not giving up on Seattle. (Shift)

Shift’s “Zoomer” columnist takes on the Democrats’ desperate desire to impose a state income tax that would impact her generation for a lifetime.  While liberals claim there is a need to take more money from Washington taxpayers, the real problem lies in the out-of-control government spending happening under their watch. (Shift)

Governor Jay Inslee called out moderate Democrats for “following Donald Trump” because they do not support the governor’s extreme and expensive Low Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS). Inslee was specifically calling out Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Steve Hobbs (D-Lake Stevens) who opposes his LCFS (as do evidently at least three other Senate Democrats).  This reflects Inslee’s longstanding poor influence over members of his own party, and the lack of support for the extreme environmental positions he’s been pushing since he became governor, when a person he has labeled a “racist” and “white supremacist” has more sway over Democrat legislators than the alleged “leader” of their own party does.  (Cornfield Report/Everett Herald)

The Senate Democrats pushed through their bill that dictates just what Washington restaurants can serve to children.  Senate Bill 6455 limits menu selection for children’s meals to just water and unflavored milk.  Senator Keith Wagoner (R-Sedro Wooley) said, “This is government overreach in the worst way. We’re literally telling restaurants what to put on the menu.” The bill must now pass through the House. (Cornfield Report/Everett Herald and Washington Legislature Bill Summary)

The House Democrats passed a bill along party lines that reduces the criminal classification for knowingly transmitting the HIV virus, from a felony to a misdemeanor.  House Bill 1551 reduces the punishment for those who fail to notify their sexual partner that they have the HIV virus.  Representative Michelle Caldier (R-Port Orchard) condemned the bill saying, “One of our most basic and top priorities as state lawmakers should be public safety.  Lowering the punishment for intentional transmission or exposure to HIV puts innocent people at risk and removes their ability for informed consent.” (KING 5 and Washington Legislature Bill Summary)

Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Denise Juneau apologized for how the district handled disciplining teachers for misconduct.  At a public forum to discuss the recent KUOW report on how teachers were allowed to stay in the classroom after they had abused students, many parents demanded to hear directly from the superintendent.  Juneau provided no policy changes and only said the district needs to do a better job of communicating.  It is worth noting that the Times article failed to mention how teachers’ unions make it very difficult for administrators to discipline or fire teachers who have inappropriate contact with students. (Seattle Times and KUOW)

King County is mailing out its annual property tax bills for 2020 and they will be 13.7% higher than last year. This is mostly the result of an increase in the statewide education levy and allowing school districts to collect enhanced local levies. What a nice Valentine’s Day present from the Democrats who control taxation policy in our state. Evidently, when they say, “Be Mine”, they are talking to your money. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

An official ethics complaint has been filed against U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Seattle) for breaking House rules regarding soliciting contributions tied to an official action. Jayapal solicited contributions through her twitter account for her actions on a “Medicaid-for-all” bill.  Jayapal’s action apparently also broke the federal law which prohibits House members from soliciting funds for performing an official duty. It should be noted, we have not found this news item in the local press – guess they are just too busy covering the craziness coming out of Olympia and downtown Seattle to focus on ethically challenged local Democrats in DC. (FOX News)

Redfin lists Tacoma as the fastest selling home market in the country.  The lack of new home construction and people escaping the high cost of home ownership in King County are given as the reasons for why homes are selling so quickly in Tacoma. (News Tribune)

Spokane Councilman called on City Council President Breean Beggs to publicly open the closed-door negotiations he is currently having over housing laws.  Councilman Michael Cathcart says, in order to be transparent, the meetings Beggs is having with tenants, landlords, and other councilmembers should not be held in secret.  Beggs provided a weak defense for his backroom dealing by stating, “Some people feel more comfortable not being in the public glare when they’re giving their opinions.” Unfortunately for the council president, most people believe that if your “opinions” are determining public policy, they might just need to  be presented in public. (Spokesman Review)

The Washington Senate passed a bill to create new “vanity” license plate commemorating the Washington Apple Growers.  Funds from the plate will go towards scholarships.  Senate Bill 6032 passed the senate 46 – 1. The one lone vote was Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, one of the few actual farmers in the legislature, who consistently votes against the state issuing specialty license plates because he believes the additional revenue is not worth the expense of doing so. The bill now goes to the House chamber. (YakTriNews and Washington Legislature Bill Summary)

Do you like The Daily Briefing? 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].