After 22 years of silence, the Washington state legislative ethics panel dusted off their quills to slam State Rep. Melanie Stambaugh (R-25) with $5,000 of fines because she posted videos and photos taken by a legislative staffer to her Facebook page. Their rationale? An ethics law from 1994. Quick reminder: the internet was privatized in 1995. Most people didn’t have internet access in 1994. Enforcing this archaic law will only “inhibit direct communication between legislators and the public,” Stambaugh explained. We agree. Maybe the ethics board could try to focus on real corruption instead of trolling Facebook? Just a suggestion.

Gov. Inslee couldn’t find billions in a tin can, so he’s proposing billions in taxes instead. To be more specific, Inslee is proposing $8 billion in new taxes that he believes are necessary to meet the education funding mandated by the McCleary decision. His reason? “No one, including Republicans, has been able to find a tin can with billions of dollars in the backyard of the Capitol. That’s a fact.” Maybe the funds aren’t coming from a tin can, but as Rep. Drew Stokesbary and JT Wilcoxs have pointed out – if a real plan isn’t enacted that addresses the tax problem, we’re facing a McCleary 2.0.

“Deploy Seattle police to block ICE from seizing immigrants.” That’s Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant’s latest rally cry. Sawant has taken to the streets, marching people around to “stand in solidarity with all immigrants. And fight back against Trump and the billionaire class.” The flaw? Sawant is protesting an arrest by ICE, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, of 23-year-old Daniel Ramirez Medina. According to ICE, Medina has already been deported for drug trafficking and admitted to being in a gang. We’re just wondering if Sawant took a moment to ask why Medina was arrested.

State Patrol trooper under review for following routine procedure: Senator Steve O’Ban has written to Governor Inslee to express his concern over a state trooper was placed under review for following routine procedure. When screening a driver’s license following an automobile accident involving Armando Chavez Corona, an alert popped up directing the trooper to contact ICE. Apparently, Chavez Corona is a convicted felon with four deportations under his belt. However, following instructions led the trooper to be placed under review. Senator O’Ban is condemning this, explaining that “launching an administrative review of this routine and common-sense procedure sends a chilling message…  that undermines public safety by discouraging officers from gaining potentially vital information from federal authorities.”

“Sticker shock” over car tabs? Not if you read about Sound Transit 3 taxes before voting for it. Here’s the classic liberal problem: they vote for something because it sounds good and then when they realize they have to actually somehow pay for the mass transportation, they whine and complain. As car-tab fees have more than tripled, so have calls to the Department of Licensing. Maybe this will be the wake-up call people need before blindly supporting Sound Transit funding increases again.

Sound Transit is ready to kick Mark Twain Elementary School out of their way if they need to, despite officials from the school vocalizing their opposition. “It’s just common sense: Trains and elementary schools do not mix,” Superintendent Tammy Campbell wrote in January on their school district website of the proposal to run an above-ground Sound Transit track through the playground of the elementary school.

A petition to remove Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant from her position has picked up steam. The petition was created in response to Sawant “using her platform to incite violence and call for protests and riots.” Members of the group who began the petition, which now has 19,000 signatures, are finally calling the socialist out for her extreme and inappropriate reactions to decisions made by the people. “Let’s help bring people together and follow the laws to get things done, not promote hate and dismay because this election did not go her way.” We’re just wondering if Sawant is going to protest the petition next – since that seems to be her favorite activity as an elected official.

Veterans in Walla Walla now have a place to go, as the new $34 million facility celebrated its grand opening this last weekend. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Spokane) was joined by Governor Inslee to cut the ribbon at the ceremony. McMorris Rodgers pointed out, “it is fitting that this home is built on the historic grounds of Fort Walla Walla.” The facility can serve as a home to around 50,000 veterans and will host a staff of about 100 people.

Governor Inslee has begun a “four-year battle” with President Trump, pledging to “preserve the fundamental values of this country.” His pledge has left many wondering what will happen to state business if Inslee is caught up trying to get the upper-hand with Trump – but we’re not that worried. Given Inslee’s past work schedule, he won’t be missed very much if Trump proves to be any sort of distraction to Inslee’s gubernatorial duties. After all, governing the state is much easier when Inslee is distracted.