It is the last week of the legislative session and the Democrats want to raise the cost of gas by another 66 cents a gallon.  Despite the state having the fourth-highest gas tax in the country, the Democrats want to impose more financial burdens on the poor and middle income by taking even more of their paycheck.  The proposed Democrat gas cost increases will not provide any new revenue for road improvements. (Shift)

Last week’s Newsmaker Interview is with Dann Mead Smith, President of the Washington Policy Center (WPC) – one of the premier free-market think tanks in the nation.  Despite being in one of the country’s most liberal states, Dann leads an excellent staff that has built a strong reputation for providing creative solutions to a broad array of issues.  Dann discusses the think tank’s successes, future goals (taking on socialism), and wanting Oasis to sing the National Anthem at the WPC’s annual dinner. (Shift)

Governor Jay Inslee has spent his two terms imposing multiple tax increases to thank his financial backers in the government unions and environmental community while ignoring our public health system.  Governor Inslee dodged criticism of his administration on CBS’s Face the Nation by stating, “Well, look, our national public health system nationally could always have used additional hope but we have had a lot of things to do in the state of Washington, including financing our schools. We run a constitutional obligation to generate about $8 billion for our schools, and we have done that successfully. Our public health system has remained stable while I have been governor. But, look, all of this can say generating more support for public health nationwide, we are going look forward to those issues.” (Seattle Times and Face the Nation)

Before the legislation has even been signed into law by Governor Inslee, citizens from across Washington are organizing to overturn the radical measure.  While Democrats showed their disregard of Washington voters by placing referendum restrictions on their bill to provide tribal casinos with a sports gambling monopoly (HB 2636), they were unable to find a flimsy excuse to place the same restrictions on their seXXX education bill.  You can expect to read more about this repeal drive from Shift as the campaign is organized.  (Repeal SB 5395 and Washington Legislature Bill Summary)

Senator Steve O’Ban (R-Pierce County) details three necessary improvements to fix the 2019 Democrat-passed legislation that established the rules for Washington’s presidential primary.  O’Ban introduced legislation that 1) provides an “unaffiliated” option (instead of having to chose a Democrat or Republican preference), 2) provides an additional envelope to ensure party affiliation remains private, and 3) mandates all votes be counted no matter the affiliation.  (Crosscut)

Besides the seXXX education bill and Governor Inslee’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, Democrat lawmakers seeking final passage of many bills in the closing days of the 2020 legislative session.  Still on the Democrats’ “To Do List” is to provide tribal casinos with a monopoly on sports betting, banning plastic bags across the state, providing the Department of Ecology with increased regulatory powers over everyone’s lives, protect government union members from receiving information on not paying dues, and a supplemental budget to make government even bigger. (Cornfield Report/Everett Herald)

A bill to increase the penalty for “swatting” has received unanimous support in both the Senate and House.  “Swatting”, which is making false 911 calls for the purpose of having police deploy special units to a targeted household, has significantly increased in recent years.  Often it is used as a prank.  The bill (SB 2632) would allow the victim and law enforcement to seek financial compensation and is now waiting to be signed by Governor Inslee. (Crosscut and Washington Legislature Bill Summary)

Liberals continue to stick to their greedy political narrative that housing costs are the primary reason for the homelessness increase on the West Coast, while the evidence shows addiction, mental illness, and permissive public policies towards crime are the primary culprits. While homelessness has decreased 14.6% nationwide over the past decade, it has become rampant on the West Coast, where an estimated 160,000 people are now without shelter in Washington, Oregon, and California.  In Christopher Rufo’s latest column, he describes how liberal/progressive political attitudes in cities like Seattle have created policies that have encouraged homelessness.  Rufo writes, “It’s because these cities have adopted permissive policies on public camping, drug consumption, and property crime, which has created an attractive environment for the homeless.” (The Daily Signal)

Many who are homeless in Western Washington’s urban centers are older and have health concerns, and thus are most susceptible to COVID–19.  In shelters they sleep in close conditions with others who are also high-risk to be carrying the virus.  Some Seattle politicians (notably Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda) ignore reality and have downplayed the threat of the disease spreading through the homeless population.  Meanwhile health officials believe displaced individuals are a “very vulnerable group” and their habitat is “fertile ground” to encounter the virus. (Seattle Times and MyNorthwest)

Mayor of Puyallup Julie Door has announced that she will run as a Democrat for the State Senate seat in the 25^th Legislative District, which is being vacated by outgoing Senator Hans Zeiger (who is running for Pierce County Council).  Door’s term as mayor and on the city council has been plagued with significant financial difficulties.  Recently Puyallup’s extremely slow permit process has been blamed for the increased cost of construction in the city.  Door previously lost in the 2018 primary for a state House seat in the 25^th Legislative District.  Republican Chris Gildon has already announced his candidacy for the senate seat. (News Tribune)

King County Metro has pledged to step up the cleaning of its buses during the coronavirus outbreak.  Despite the public relations effort behind this endeavor, many transit riders are unimpressed with the effort. (MyNorthwest)

The City of Longview has placed a March 30th deadline to close a temporary homeless campsite, yet there are some who want to make the site permanent.  The Longview City Manager says the city is firm on the deadline and is on the side of those in the neighborhood who are concerned with garbage and sanitation in the encampment.  The temporary site was provided by the city in December to move tents and other structures off the city hall lawn. (Longview Daily News)

The Washington Legislature passed a measure to create a state vanity license plate honoring the state’s apple industry.  It passed the state Senate 46-1 (Senator Mark Schoesler voted against the bill for he believes the state loses money on the plates even with the increased fee) and the House 92-5.  The bill awaits Governor Inslee signature (Washington AG Network)

After the Washington State Senate passed a bill to partially ban the pesticide chlorpyrifos, the House decided to ask the Department of Agriculture review its safety and adopt rules if needed.   The pesticide has been the subject of much national debate between environmental groups and those in the farming industry. The state’s tree fruit farmers were concerned with the Senate’s version and favor the House legislation. (Capitol Press)

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