The latest national survey of gas prices reveals that Governor Jay Inslee and Democrat lawmakers’ taxes and regulations have placed Washington State as the fourth most expensive place in the country to purchase gas, and it will soon become even more expensive.  According to the American Automobile Association, Washington State trails only California, Hawaii, and Nevada with an average price for gas at $3.88 per gallon. Yet due to the Democrat-only passage of the expensive and inefficient Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and Cap-and-Trade bills during the 2021 legislative session, and the promised increase in the state’s (already third highest in the nation) gas tax which is expected to be part of a transportation package to be assembled during the upcoming 2022 session, Washington’s future gas prices will only go even higher – much higher.  Gas price increases impact transportation costs for consumer goods, resulting in higher prices for basic necessities, which impact low-income workers and those on a fixed income the hardest.  (American Automobile Association and Washington Policy Center)

Like nearly all other COVID-related projects developed by the Inslee Administration, the state’s new vaccine verification computer app has already experienced serious problems.  If you visited the newly released website Friday morning, you received a message stating it was “temporarily unavailable” due to maintenance.  Just as the state’s “dashboard dials” failed to be connected to any actual data (yet somehow they still “determined” Governor Inslee’s decisions), it’s contract tracing program failed to come close to reaching its stated goals for reaching those who came in contact with an infected person, and a vaccination effort that was so poorly designed that the state ranked near the bottom for immunizing medical workers and seniors during the critical initial weeks of an effort the Inslee team had months to prepare for, the state’s vaccine verification program appears to be like nearly all other state programs which fail to deliver. But remember, Governor Inslee alone “won the Super Bowl” against COVID.  (Washington State’s Department of Health WA Verify website, Shift, and Brandi Kruse Twitter)

Governor Inslee strongly indicated that he will likely pick a Democrat to replace Republican Secretary of State Kim Wyman.  Secretary Wyman announced her resignation this past week to accept a position in the federal Homeland Security Department to oversee election security issues across the country.  It is not a surprise that Governor Inslee plans to replace Secretary Wyman with a Democrat, since he has consistently demonstrated throughout his time as governor that he always choses what’s best for Democrat politicians over the needs of the public. Who could forget that Governor Inslee forced the residents of Washington to subsidize his failed 2020 bid for president by making them pay for his campaign security?  And despite having more than a million dollars in his campaign bank account, he continues to refuse to reimburse the state taxpayers (KING5 News, CNN, Seattle Times, and Washington State Public Disclosure Commission report)

While Governor Inslee does not believe the public or the elected representative of the public should have a say about the state’s COVID-related policies, which impact the lives of nearly all 7.6 million Washingtonians, the state is asking the public to weigh in on what should be the name of the state’s new electric ferry (scheduled to join the fleet in 2025). The six finalist are “Wishkah,” “Stillaguamish,” “Snoqualmie,” “Enie Marie,” “Stehekin” and “Muckleshoot.”  A few of the names which missed the cut are “Boaty McBoatface,” “Electric Avenue,” ”SS Kraken,” and “Kevin.” (Seattle P-I)

A quick reminder to our readers, next Tuesday is election day, and nearly all local candidates are seeking volunteers to assist in encouraging their supporters to return their ballots.  We urge you to contact the candidates you support to see how you can assist.  Here is a map of the locations for the 582 ballot drop boxes across the state. (Washington Secretary of State office)

As failed liberal policies are devolving the City of Seattle into the future slums for a prosperous Eastside, the debate between the two liberal politicians who are seeking to become Seattle’s next failed mayor reminds us of two social media trolls hurling insignificant insults at each other while completely forgetting about the actual issues the public wants to hear them debating.  Former Seattle City Council President Bruce Harrell accused current Seattle City Council President Lorena Gonzalez of being a racist, while Gonzalez accused Harrell of not caring about sexual assault victims. This is a continuation of the candidates’ argument over an ad the Gonzalez’ campaign ran (and since pulled) which accused then-Council President Harrell of defending former Seattle Mayor Ed Murray after allegations were made that he sexually assaulted many young men. Harrell called the ad racist saying it “played into stereotypes about Black men.”

The reason why the contest is now focused on which candidate is the most effective name caller is because there is very little difference in the policies of the two ultra-liberal career politicians, and both have been major architects of the city’s failed policies.  Both are responsible for expensive homeless policies which have only caused the number of homeless in the city to skyrocket. Both have supported job-killing taxes on Seattle employers which have forced many businesses to move their operations to the Eastside. Neither candidate has condemned the political violence committed by liberal activists that resulted in hundreds of well-trained Seattle police officers leaving the department due to lack of support from elected officials (and a subsequent increase in violent crimes, especially in minority neighborhoods).  Both candidates want to grow the size and cost of city government.  Both support housing policies which will only decrease the number of housing units available and thus increase the cost of residing in Seattle.  This is why the choice next Tuesday is now about whether the voters want a “racist” or a “rapist enabler” to become the city’s next mayor.  (MyNorthwest and KING5 News)

A Seattle Times editorial asserts that the recent arrest of a Pike Place Market retailer, who was charged with selling known stolen items, reflects the failed liberal criminal justice policies of outgoing Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes.  The editorial argues that since those who repeatedly steal from Seattle retailers were never prosecuted by the city attorney, many individuals would brazenly rob items and sell them to other retailers, who would then sell the stolen items at a discount to the public.  The Times states that the voters have a clear choice in next Tuesday’s election for Holmes’ replacement. Radical candidate Nicole Thomas-Kennedy wants to abolish prosecution of misdemeanors (which would only perpetuate similar criminal activities), while moderate candidate Ann Davison says it’s time to “place limits” on criminals to protect victims. (Seattle Times)

Longview City Council members voted unanimously to have their city become the tenth Washington State community to ban a local income tax. The Southwest Washington city joins Battle Ground, DuPont, Granger, Kennewick, Moses Lake, Richland, Spokane, Spokane Valley, and Union Gap in a grassroots response to liberal lawmakers’ efforts to impose a job-killing income tax at both the state and local levels to fund their selfish desires to grow the size and power of all governments. Yakima County has also banned an income tax and the voters in the City of Yakima will be voting on an income tax ban in next Tuesday’s election. (Washington Policy Center)

Spokane city officials and firefighter unions are discussing how a “small number” of recently fired firefighters can return to work despite not complying with Governor Inslee’s vaccine mandates for all medical workers. 20 Spokane firefighters were separated from their jobs due to Inslee’s illogical mandate.  Other area fire departments have found ways to accommodate firefighters through daily tests, restrictions on work activities, and by making accommodations of their living arrangements. (Spokesman-Review).

BABYLONBEE FRIDAY!

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