Governor Jay Inslee continues to make arbitrary and partisan decisions regarding the safe re-opening of Washington State, without consulting our own legislators (but instead listening to the Democrat governors of other states and three “advisory” groups that consist primarily of his campaign supporters/donors).  Are Inslee’s rules regarding church services even constitutional? In case Inslee forgot, the First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Seems like Inslee’s plans do impact “exercise thereof”. (Shift)

House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox discusses his frustrations over Governor Jay Inslee’s failure to include legislators on the important decisions that are impacting every Washington resident now, and will impact the state’s resources for the next decade. Even though Wilcox is not one of the plaintiffs in a recent lawsuit filed against Inslee by several legislators, he does support their efforts. Wilcox also discusses how the lockdown is having a negative impact on people’s physical and mental health, from not being able to have elective procedures or receive preventative care, to depression caused by isolation, to not being able to attend 12-step meetings. (Shift’s Newsmaker Interview)

On Friday, a King County Superior Court ruled the 2019 bill jammed through the legislature by its Democrat majorities to impose taxes on out-of-state banks was unconstitutional because it discriminated “against interstate commerce in purpose and effect.” The Democrats quickly pushed the bill (HB 2167) through the legislature by using a “title-only” bill to deny the public the opportunity to review or provide testimony on the legislation. Also, because the Democrats passed the bill within hours of introducing the substance of legislation, they did not obtain a legal analysis on its constitutionality from the Attorney General’s office.  Despite Republicans (rightfully) warning that the bill was unconstitutional and would likely cost the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars to defend in court, the Democrats recklessly passed the bill and Governor Inslee signed it (because it was a tax increase, how could he not). (Washington Policy Center and Washington Legislature Bill Summary)

The failure of Governor Inslee’s Department of Corrections and Department of Social and Health Services to follow simple health guidelines likely contributed to the spread of the coronavirus in state-run facilities.  Inslee’s continued mis-management of Western State Hospital is especially troubling considering the amount of time and money that has been spent to correct the serious problems that have occurred during Inslee’s two terms. In 2018, the failure of the department and hospital administrators to comply with federal guidelines cost Washington taxpayers $53 million. Earlier this year, the nurses’ union voted “No confidence” in Governor Inslee and his department administrators because they failed to protect workers from physical attacks. (News Tribune, Seattle Times, and SEIU 1199)

On Wednesday, three of the Washington Democrats’ “faithless electors” will have the appeal of their $1,000 fine heard by the United States Supreme Court.  The three were among Washington’s Electoral College delegation who did not vote for Hillary Clinton following the 2016 election.  The three were part of a failed scheme to vote for Colin Powell, thinking it would encourage Republican delegates to not vote for Donald Trump.  By state law, they were fined $1,000 for not voting for the person who won the state’s popular vote. (Seattle Times)

Republican State Senators Brad Hawkins (R-East Wenatchee) and Keith Wagoner (R-Sedro Woolley) provided a five-point plan to Gov. Inslee and Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal to re-open Washington State schools.  Despite Inslee seemingly refusing to listen to any recommendations from any individual who does not share his extreme points of view, the Senators provided some helpful suggestions for the Democrat state officials to consider.  The Senators’ ideas include working with local utilities to provide internet access to children, re-thinking the school calendar, and freezing expenditures due to the loss of tax revenues. (Washington Republican Senate Caucus)

Filing for public office in Washington State began Monday morning, and will run until 4:00 PM on Friday.  Candidates are encouraged to file online.  (Yakima Herald)

It took the Tacoma – Pierce County Health Department three days to test a major spill in the Foss Waterway because no one could reach a staff member. The Foss Harbor marina manager said the late-April spill was so large, “it covered the majority of our marina, as well as the entire northern half of the Foss Waterway,” (News Tribune)

Republican King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn highlights the “Little Free Pantries” as part of his COVID-19 Action & Response Enlistment (CARE) Project.  To assist neighbors who might be experiencing food insecurities due to the coronavirus, people throughout the region are putting up small food pantries. People are encouraged to take what they need and give what they can. (Reagan Dunn Facebook video)

The News Tribune quoted a Western Washington University political science professor in a story analyzing the 10^th Congressional District race, without mentioning he is also a Democrat Whatcom County Commissioner.  In a piece of sloppy reporting, the News Tribune failed to notify its readers that Todd Donovan holds a partisan political office and thus likely has a biased point of view. (News Tribune and Todd Donovan for County Commission Facebook page)

The Aberdeen School District announced it will cut approximately 20% of its teaching positions. The district stated that it will eliminate 46 of its current 214 positions due to the reduction in state tax revenue from the coronavirus outbreak and a reduction in district enrollment. (Daily World)

Many farmers have been ahead of state regulations to protect their workers during the coronavirus outbreak.  This includes Mt. Vernon’s Washington Bulb Company that employs up to 500 workers during its peak harvest season.  Long before the state put out regulations, the company employed social distancing, staggered break times, implemented use of face masks, and did extra cleaning. (Washington AG Network)

Due to Washington State not embracing online learning prior to the coronavirus outbreak, a significant portion of Spokane students are not involved with at-home education.  In many schools, less than 50% of the students are logging onto the district’s online learning platform. The result of the state’s failure is the widening of the learning gap between wealthy and poor students.  (Spokesman-Review)

20% of workers at Ellensburg’s Twin Cities Foods tested positive for the coronavirus.  In news that will likely deter Kittitas County from being able to immediately move to Phase II, at least 34 of the frozen food plants employees tested positive over weekend after it was revealed last week that one employee had contracted the virus. (Ellensburg Daily Record)

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