Data proves the 2021 legislative session was the most partisan and divisive in Washington State history.  While the liberal media fawns over the unnecessary taxes and expensive energy policies that passed (which will hurt low-income workers the hardest), data proves that narrowminded urban Democrats felt no need to listen to the thoughts and concerns of those with different perspectives, as they imposed failed Seattle liberal policies on the rest of the state.  In the Senate alone, there were 24 bills passed along party lines. As soon as the Democrats had enough partisan votes in both legislative chambers, “all negotiation and any thoughts of talking to the Republicans went out the window. Gone was reasonable discussion.” (Click to read full Shift Article)

An Everett Herald editorial detailed Governor Jay Inslee’s recent illegal line-item vetoes, which upset legislators and his former major campaign contributors in the tribal communities, and stated the governor has “likely complicated future negotiations with lawmakers and the tribes on a range of issues.”  The Herald’s political columnist Jerry Cornfield had written prior to the vetoes that with the passage of his top priorities – two expensive and inefficient climate bills – the governor would likely be bored for the remainder of his term (as if the governor was actually active in legislative matters before this year).  The editorial concluded “The governor no longer need be concerned about how he’ll occupy the time remaining in his term. He can add two major infrastructure projects to his list: rebuilding the bridges he just burned.” (Everett Herald)

Republican legislative leaders cited Washington’s vaccination rate and other state’s activity levels to call on Governor Inslee to immediately fully reopen the state’s economy.  House Republican Leader JT Wilcox and Senator Republican Leader John Braun issued a joint statement saying, “With vaccination rates continuing to increase, new CDC guidance and other states showing the way, we no longer see a need to wait two more weeks, and certainly not another month. The time to move our state forward is now. Washingtonians want to return to a sense of normalcy and businesses need more certainty as they attempt to recover.” (Representative Wilcox and Senator Braun joint statement)

Clark County legislators were critical of Governor Inslee’s latest requirement that forces businesses to obtain employees’ private medical information, calling it “government overreach disguised as public safety, designed to maintain control.”  In a Vancouver Columbian op-ed, Senators Lynda Wilson and Ann Rivers, and Representatives Paul Harris, Vicki Kraft, Brandon Vick, and Larry Hoff, were critical of the governor’s latest unilateral mandate to require employers to obtain private COVID vaccination information from employees and keep a log for government inspection. The six legislators stated this was the latest unacceptable action from the governor whom Democrat lawmakers have allowed “to have unilateral authority to do whatever he sees fit” through nearly 460 days of unchecked emergency authority.  The Republican legislator noted that even the normally very liberal Columbian editors agreed with them when they wrote, “giving a governor indefinite emergency powers is disturbing, and it belies the notion of representative government. The public – through (its) elected legislators – should have a say in the state’s continuing response to the pandemic. It also should have a say in any future emergencies, once the initial shock has subsided.” (Vancouver Columbian)

The Washington Medical Commission (WMA) upheld the license suspension of Governor Inslee friend and political appointee Dr. Julia Barnett.  Formerly Dr. Barnett was responsible for supervising all medical personnel as the medical director at the Monroe Correctional Complex.  A WMA investigation determined that “Dr. Barnett’s work fell below the standard of care for six patients, four of whom died. While the patients’ conditions were severe, all of these patients suffered unnecessarily due to Dr. Barnett’s lack of response or inadequate response to staff reports of the patients’ conditions.”  We will repeat once again, more prisoners have died due to incompetence in Governor Inslee’s Department of Corrections then would have died if the governor had not placed a moratorium on death sentence penalties. (Washington Medical Commission media release)

KING5 News reported that Ravenna neighborhood residents had become “increasingly frustrated and angry” over the City of Seattle’s failed liberal homeless policies which allowed an illegal open encampment remain in the middle of their community.  The encampment in Olga Park, which is in the center of busy Ravenna Boulevard, was the site of a murder this weekend.  One resident stated, “I think they need to stop talking about compassion and start talking about enforcement.  I think all the compassion is just virtue signaling and is an excuse not to do anything.” (KING5 News)

The exodus of well trained and diverse Seattle police office is currently moving at a faster pace than last year.  Nearly 275 officers have left the Seattle Police Department since 2020, with 18 leaving in May.  There are also more than 100 officers “unavailable for deployment.”  Many of these individuals are taking vacation and unpaid sick leave before officially departing the force.  A majority of those leaving the force claim that the lack of support from elected officials is the primary reason for their departure.  The absence of available of officers has resulted in many staffing shortages at precincts.  This is occurring as homicides and violent assaults are rapidly rising in the city. Since the beginning of the year there have been 13 murders and over 100 incidents of gunfire, and yet the Seattle City Council does not care. (MyNorthwest)

The latest City of Seattle homeless strategy that is doomed to failure is the plan to use millions in federal COVID emergency aid to create 25 RV parks around the city.    The proposal to impose city-sanctioned RV campgrounds in every Seattle neighborhood will likely draw protests from liberal activists. Also, many of the occupants of the broken-down RVs which currently clutter Seattle’s streets and parks also decline to move to city-run facilities because of restrictions on drug and alcohol use. When asked why this plan will succeed when so any before have failed, lame-duck and truly worthless Mayor Jenny Durkan responded, “They have not all been a failure, there is just not enough of them.”  It seems odd to normal people that money meant to help those suffering during the pandemic is being used to create 25 permanent RV parks which will certainly drive down nearby home values.  (KING5 News)

The Farm Bureau is concerned the state’s judicial system is biased and is imposing fines based on the litigant’s political beliefs.  The bureau’s Chelan-Douglas President April Clayton writes in a Wenatchee World op-ed that a business group (Grocer’s Manufacturers Association) was fined $18 million for failing to disclose contribution information in a 2013 initiative contest (I-522, which pertained to GMA labeling on retail food products).  Yet a liberal group (Food Democracy Action!) was fined only $322,000 for the same infraction in the same race.  According to Clayton, this is “conclusive proof of a bias” by Attorney General Bob Ferguson who brought the case, and the liberal judges who determined the penalties.  The penalty will again by reviewed by the Washington State Supreme Court and Clayton writes, “This fine should be overturned because if it is ultimately upheld, this case will set a dangerous precedent for the state and political process.” If not, those fearful of judicial and systemic bias will be not become involved in the political process. (Wenatchee World and Washington Secretary of State elections returns)

Governor Inslee will be joined by Washington State Lottery Director Marcus Glasper at his media availability tomorrow afternoon.  It is expected that there will be a vaccine incentives program announced.  It is not known if the award will be available to everyone who has already been vaccinated or if only the 35% who are currently not vaccinated will be eligible. (TVW)

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee – Again – Breaks His Promises.  “It should have been obvious by now to any political observer that, after his nearly four decades in the public square, Governor Jay Inslee doesn’t care about his friends, enemies or frenemies.  His actions are all about Jay Inslee. If the COVID pandemic has shown us anything, it’s the fact the Jay Inslee is drunk with power and will do whatever necessary to maintain the dictatorial control he craves.” (Click to read full Shift Article)

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