The Associated Press analyzed national voter registration data and determined that over a million voters across the country have switched to the Republican Party. This change has mostly occurred in suburban communities where voters had previously left the party due to President Donald Trump.  The suburban voters are now switching to Republicans out of frustration with the Democrats who are (rightfully) being blamed for the rise in violent crime, inflation (including rising gas prices), and COVID-19 restrictions.

The national AP analysis corresponds with polling data in Washington State, though voters do not register by party in our state. Polling data seen by Shift is showing that Republican candidates are receiving a 4% – 8% bump in 2022 over their 2020 numbers.  This is especially true in the vital suburban swing districts which will determine which party controls the Washington State legislature next year. Republicans need to pick up four seats in the Senate and nine seats in the House to earn legislative majorities. (Associated Press)

One of several districts where Republicans hope to gain both Senate and House seats is the 30^th (Federal Way and portions of Auburn and Des Moines). The open House Position 2 general election race will likely feature Republican leader Ashli Tagoai against liberal challengers Kristine Reeves or Pastor Carey Anderson. This is the race where incumbent Jesse Johnson dropped his re-election bid after polling showed he would likely lose, due largely to his partisan leadership in passing the Democrats’ disastrous anti-police legislation in 2021.

The Stranger’s profile of the two Democrat contenders stated that they “conducted themselves like moderates” during their interview to avoid exposing their real beliefs, which would likely get them into trouble with non-Seattle South-end voters.  Yet The Stranger did not do the Democrat candidates any favors by pointing out that “both of them let slip some seemingly sincere support for progressive policies.” These failed “progressive polices” on crime, taxes, inflation, homelessness, education, emergency powers reform, the Long-Term care payroll tax, and legalizing possessions of lethal drugs is exactly why Democrats have lost support in suburban districts and why analysts agree that Republicans will make serious gains in November.  In a Facebook post, Republican Ashli Tagoai thanked The Stranger for doing the article on the two Democrats which revealed they both “support increased taxes and rent control” and both are not “the right fit for the 30th District.” (Quick note, Shift is currently working with the Tagoai campaign to arrange an interview with her in the coming weeks.) (The Stranger and Ashli Tagoal Facebook page)

There is an increase in the number of stolen vehicles which are later used by criminals to commit additional felonies, including the theft of ATM machines. Stolen vehicle rates in Washington State have nearly doubled since the passage of the Democrats’ anti-police measures in 2021, and these cars are often merely “disposable” tools used by criminals to commit additional crimes.  Stolen trucks are used by thieves since they can easy transport stolen catalytic converters. Other criminals have used stolen cars to break through store fronts to steal merchandise.  Recently there has also been an increase in the number of stolen vehicles used to steal ATMs from stores and banks, as criminals tie a chain to the ATM to rip it from its foundation using the stolen car. (News Tribune and Q13 Fox News)

Governor Jay Inslee’s unilateral decision to force all state workers to be vaccinated is one of many controversial “emergency orders” which is still creating problems and will cause headaches for many this holiday weekend.  The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) was especially affected by Inslee’s nonsensical and inflexible vaccination mandate.  Because of the governor’s partisan unilateral decision, 402 WSDOT workers lost their jobs.  Last winter this impacted WSDOT’s ability to keep mountain passes open, as short-staffed crews were unable to keep the roads safe for passage.  This caused many long closures and caused supply problems due to delivery trucks being unable to cross the mountains.

The Washington State Ferries system (part of WSDOT) had 132 employees fired last October because of Governor Inslee’s  orders.  This unscientific decision has negatively impacted ferry service for the past eight months as all routes were forced into reduced schedules due to the lack of certified ferry workers.  State officials admit that the delays may be extensively longer than normal over the upcoming Fourth of July holiday weekend and that staffing problems could cause many currently scheduled ferry runs to be cancelled without notice.

One can easily imagine that if more people had been brought into the decision on whether to fire unvaccinated state workers (especially those who work outdoors, with little or no public interaction) or even on how to do it in a way to minimize impacts on service, these on-going problems with the state’s ferry system would not be wreaking as much havoc with the public.  But since the governor doesn’t believe that the Democrats who control the legislature are capable of helping him govern the state, the travelling public must suffer the consequences.  FYI – we are now on Day 851 of the governor’s undemocratic abuse of “emergency” orders. Does anybody else feel the emergency today? (KOMO News and KIRO News Radio)

Democrat lawmakers seeking reelection this November will have to defend voting for significant price increases in driver’s licenses and vehicle plates despite there being billions in surplus state revenue sitting in the bank.  These fee increases (which the Democrats jammed through the legislature to go into effect this Friday) will hurt those on a fixed or lower incomes the most.  Democrat legislators increased some fees 400% to help fund their transportation package even while Republicans instead pushed to use the billions in surplus revenue to pay for new road construction. We can just add this to the many unpopular decisions (including the notorious anti-police package, no tax relief despite record-breaking surplus revenue, lack of emergency powers reform, the bankrupt Long-Term Care payroll tax, unscientific vaccine mandates, out-of-control homelessness, an unconstitutional state income tax on capital gains, an upcoming 50-cents-per-gallon increase in gas prices due to Cap and Trade policy, etc.) made by Democrat lawmakers which they will have to defend as they go before voters this fall. (Seattle Times and Shift)

An initiative funded by Seattle labor groups has bought enough signatures to include a measure on the November ballot to raise the minimum wage in Tukwila.  Initiative Measure 1 would require many employers (companies with less than 15 employees worldwide or grossing less than $2 million annually would be exempt) in Tukwila to raise their minimum wage by approximately $3. Neighboring SeaTac and Seattle also have union-sponsored minimum wage laws which require employers to pay workers above the state’s minimum wage, which is currently at $14.49 per hour.

Studies have found that there is often a negative impact on workers due to increases in minimum wage, especially those who work in lower-income neighborhoods. Employers are often forced to cut workers’ hours, and franchises with locations serving many people on a fixed income often find they lose business because their customers can no longer afford the higher prices of their products. The initiative is aimed at Southcenter, the largest shopping mall in the Pacific Northwest. If the wages are increased in Tukwila it will certainly raise the cost of products sold at the mall, which will likely drive some customers to one of the other malls in the region with lower personnel costs. (Seattle Times and Washington State Public Disclosure Commission)

Attorneys for football coach Joe Kennedy said they expect he will be rehired as an assistant at Bremerton High School this fall.  The coach won a landmark case this week in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional for the school district to fire Coach Kennedy simply because he said a prayer at midfield after games.  Kennedy’s attorney said the coach would not be seeking damages or back pay for salary he lost since he was fired in 2015. (Q13 Fox News)

As if dealing with increased regulations and mandates from urban Democrat lawmakers wasn’t tough enough for Washington State’s agricultural community, now the Federal Bureau of Investigation is warning farmers to be cautious of ransomware.  The FBI said they have seen a significant increase in farmers being targeted by hackers who take control of a computer’s content and release it only after a ransom is paid.  Since much of farming is dependent on working on a tight schedule, farmers are dependent on having the data available to them and will lose crops when they don’t have access to it. As one FBI agent said, “It’s pay these guys six figures or go out of business.” (YakTriNews)

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