Washington State has the highest unemployment rate in the country and fellow (Democrat-only) Western States Pact members are right behind.  Washington State has 30.8% of its civilian workforce seeking unemployment claims (some of which can be attributed to fraudulent claims the state was not prepared for), while fellow Pact members Nevada (24.5% – the 2^nd worst in the nation), Oregon (23.8% – the 3^rd worst), and California (19.6% – the 7^th worst) are nearly as bad.  It is telling that the only other Pact member, Colorado, has just 8.3% unemployment. Could this be because Colorado Governor Jared Polis has been less partisan than the other Democrat governors in his decisions, and has been far more responsive to the public to safely reopen his state’s economy? It is interesting to note that neighboring Western states with Republican governors have a far lower percentage of unemployment claims  – Arizona (7.0%), Idaho (7.2%), and Utah (5.7%).  Remind us again how being a member of the (Democrats-only) Western States Pact is a benefit for Washington residents??? (Tax Foundation)

The Mayor of Burlington has taken issue with Governor Jay Inslee using the coronavirus outbreak to “peddle” his climate change agenda.  Like many Washington State residents, Mayor Steve Sexton is growing frustrated over the increasingly partisan and self-serving actions of the governor.  Sexton, who was supportive of Inslee’s initial orders, has become “pissed off” that Governor Inslee is more focused on his political agenda then he is on the health and economic recovery of his constituents.  Sexton was referring to Inslee’s appearance on Bernie Sanders’ YouTube program where the governor said he was willing to use the “crisis to peddle a solution to climate change.”  Speaking of Washington mayors, isn’t it telling that Governor Inslee has time to promote himself to Bernie Sanders non-Washington State socialist audience, but doesn’t have the time to return the multiple phone calls of the Gig Harbor mayor who is seeking to protect the workers and business owners in his community?  Apparently for Jay Inslee, self-serving political actions are a priority over the health and well-being of Washington residents. Maybe Jay thinks that Senator Sanders might need a climate czar after Bernie replaces controversy-plagued Joe Biden as the Democrat nominee this summer. (Skagit County Herald, Bernie Sanders’ YouTube program, and News Tribune)

Currently, Washington is one of a few states that will force businesses to pay increased unemployment insurance taxes to replenish the fund that has been decimated by the COVID-19 crisis. Because, the Democrats love higher taxes! This increased tax will slow the state’s economic recovery and reduce the number of jobs available to unemployed workers.  The increased tax could be the determining factor in whether a business stays open. The slow and politically self-serving actions of Governor Inslee are only increasing the future financial burdens on our state’s small businesses. (Washington Policy Center)

Under Governor Inslee’s watch, Washington State is the #1 target of fraudulent unemployment claims in the country. Following poor performances at the Department of Corrections and Department of Social and Human Services which helped to spread the virus,  the leadership put in place by Inslee at Washington’s Employment Security Department has not performed well during the coronavirus outbreak.  The state found out after the money was gone that it was paying out millions in fraudulent unemployment claims, before having to shut down to repair its broken process for verifying requests (while thousands of Washington residents had their checks delayed).  Despite state agencies being one of the very few workplaces with full employment during the COVID-19 crisis, Governor Inslee’s management team has not served the needs of Washington residents well. (Krebson Security, Seattle Times, and News Tribune)

Public employee union bosses proclaim that government workers should not have to suffer the same fate as private sector workers, after the City of Everett lays off 160 workers.  Despite the reality that government employee paychecks are dependent on the taxes paid by private sector workers, union boss Chris Dugovich (from the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees) complained about the necessary reductions and called them “heavy-handed.”  In Washington State, government employees have been one of the very few employment sectors to not experience a dramatic spike in unexpected job loss during the coronavirus outbreak.  Now that government union members are finally facing the same economic realities private sector workers have been experiencing for over two months, maybe these major Inslee campaign donors will put pressure on the governor to work with businesses to develop safe ways to return to work.  Once the private sector returns to work, tax revenues will increase, and governments can start to rehire their union workers. (Everett Herald and Washington Research Council)

State Representative Beth Doglio is positioning herself to claim the far-Left wing of the Democrat Party in the heated 10^th Congressional District race.  Doglio, who actually lists herself as a “community organizer and climate activist,” is battling former Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland, former State Rep. Kristine Reeves, Socialist truck driver Joshua Collins, and Congressional staffer Phil Gardner for the liberal vote.  Each of the Democrat candidates appear to be making promises to the “progressive” special interest groups to help them make it past the August primary.  Doglio’s focus appear to be appealing to union bosses, as she is promising to deliver on their political agenda items. (Washington State Wire and Beth Doglio for Congress website)

Even with the economic lockdown of the state, West Seattle residents are experiencing larger traffic volumes in their neighborhoods due to the closure of the West Seattle Bridge. The failure of the City of Seattle to maintain the 35-year-old structure, will cause serious traffic problems once the economy is allowed to resume. Maybe the city council can pass a tax on struggling employers to pay for a new bridge? (MyNorthwest)

More of Governor Inslee’s contributors from the tribal casino community are disregarding state health restrictions and are planning to reopen next week.  Along with other Western Washington tribal gambling facilities, the Tulalip Resort Casino and Quil Ceda Creek Casino will open their doors May 26 to allow hundreds (if not thousands) of gamblers to gather. Meanwhile, nearby non-tribal small business owners are idle as they wait for Inslee to allow them to rehire employees and pay much needed tax revenues by resuming operation.  At least Governor Inslee did not display his lack of compassion for the non-tribal business owners and workers by proclaiming his support of the reopening casinos by stating “I hope they are very very successful,” as he did when the Angel of the Winds opened last week. (Everett Herald and Seattle Times)

As Spokane County continues to wait on state approval to safely resume some commercial activity, small business owners are preparing to open their doors.  More than two weeks after Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward and other community leaders first developed a plan to reopen businesses, they are still waiting on word from Governor Inslee’s office that they have been approved.  Woodward said she was hoping businesses could open by Memorial Day (now four days away). (Spokesman-Review)

Owners of the Windmill Steakhouse in Wenatchee are tired of waiting for Governor Inslee and announced on Facebook that they will reopen next Wednesday, May 27^th.  The restaurant will follow health guidelines and have limited seating.  The owner has also encouraged other local business to safely resume operation. (Facebook)

Liberal members of the Spokane City Council, including Council President Breean Beggs, believe they should receive a pay raise.  The issue is currently being deliberated by the Salary Review Commission.  Councilmember Kate Burke, thinks the commission should consider Seattle City Councilmember’s $129,000 a year salary as a comparison, because evidently Seattle and Spokane are similar.  Conservative Councilmember Michael Cathcart says the public should be able to vote on any pay raise.  Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward did not ask for a pay raise from the commission. (Spokesman Review)

Representative Tom Dent (R-Moses Lake) encouraged members of the agriculture community to help combat the political attacks it receives in Olympia by becoming active in events that help educate lawmakers.  Dent said there will be farm tours with Westside legislators this summer, where community members can participate and help inform lawmakers what it takes to deliver products to market. (Washington AG Network)

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]