Another day, another ferry fiasco. Washington State Ferries (WSF) seems to be setting the standard for how not to run a transportation system. This time, they’re dragging their feet on restoring service cuts, blaming everything from aging boats to crew shortages. Back in 2019, they boldly promised seven new ferries by 2027, but then Governor Inslee’s shiny green electrification mandate turned that plan into a costly trainwreck. The first hybrid-electric ferry design was so over budget and overweight it had to be scrapped, because who needs fiscal responsibility, right? Now, new ferries might show up by 2028—assuming everything miraculously stays on track. That leaves the 50-year-old clunkers to sputter along in the meantime. Predictably, service cuts have driven down ridership, gutting fare revenue, which now only covers half of operating costs. Meanwhile, overtime and maintenance bills are ballooning, setting the stage for the legislature to deal with this mess in 2025. Get ready for another round of fare hikes or budget raids, because WSF clearly specializes in one thing: making problems more expensive and harder to solve. Read more at the Washington Policy Center.

In a recent op-ed, Republican State Senator John Braun offered his insights on Washington’s ranking as the 35th best state to live in according to a WalletHub analysis. Despite being ranked first in economic performance, Washington fares poorly in affordability and safety, ranking 36th and 50th respectively. Of course, these failures come down to policies enacted by state Democrats, such as laws restricting police pursuits and the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), which have driven up the cost of living and compromised public safety. Braun concludes by emphasizing that Republican-led reforms on affordability and safety would improve living conditions statewide, raising Washington’s ranking in future reports. Read more at The Chronicle.

The brutal killing of 80-year-old Ruth Dalton during a Seattle carjacking highlights the city’s escalating crime crisis – and KTTH’s Jason Rantz recently speculated on whether the tragic murder will finally lead to change. Dalton, a beloved dogwalker, was allegedly attacked by Jahmed Haynes, a repeat offender with eight prior felonies, who reportedly dragged her from her car before stealing it. For too long, Seattle’s lenient, pro-criminal policies and ineffective leadership have contributed to rising crime rates. Despite public outcry, local officials, including the mayor, have been largely silent. There are calls for the community to demand stronger policing, judicial reforms, and greater accountability from leaders. As Rantz points out, th reality is that, unless urgent action is taken, the city’s decline will continue, with incidents like Dalton’s becoming yet another grim statistic. Read more at KTTH.

Have you subscribed to the new Shift WA podcast yet? We’ve already released three full episodes, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive:

• Judge Dave Larson joins the podcast to discuss his run for the Washington State Supreme Court, his journey into law, and the realities of judicial elections. He also touches on bias in the judiciary, legal news on ballot initiatives, and whether legal shows get it right. Finally, he shares ideas for improving the justice system.
• The hosts break down the results of the Washington state primary election. Why are people reflexively voting for Cantwell? What did we learn in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th congressional races? They touch on all those federal questions and pontificate about the major state races including OSPI, commissioner of public lands, and that other one.
• David Olson talks about his bid for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, including the role of OSPI, implications of I-2081, and his approaches to learning loss and school tech policies. He also addresses rising anti-Semitism in schools and the need for more apprenticeships.

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