Seattle’s Democrats are at it again—championing “democracy” when it serves them, and tossing it aside when it doesn’t. The latest stunt? Suing to overturn Initiative 1108, a voter-approved measure that blocks their natural gas ban. Despite Washingtonians making it clear they want affordable, reliable energy, Mayor Bruce Harrell, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and their green-activist allies decided voters are too ignorant to make their own decisions.

This is democracy, Seattle-style: if the people dare reject progressive overreach, Democrats simply lawyer up. Their excuse? The initiative “conflicts” with state law and climate goals. Translation: Seattle knows better than you. Forget your heating bills or survival during storms—what really matters is virtue-signaling to their eco-warrior base.

The hypocrisy is thicker than Seattle fog. These are the same folks who whine about “threats to democracy” when Republicans question election results. But when the Left ignores voter mandates? It’s just “restoring order.” And don’t expect the media to call them out. As KTTH’s Jason Rantz points out, outlets like The Seattle Times happily regurgitate Harrell’s environmental platitudes without question, portraying him as a hero rather than a bureaucrat bent on control.

This lawsuit isn’t about saving the planet; it’s about power. Natural gas is essential for families and businesses, but Seattle’s leaders would rather push their climate agenda—no matter how many people they hurt or how unprepared the electric grid is to handle the fallout. Meanwhile, skyrocketing costs and overregulation have already driven families out of the city. Add a natural gas ban, and things will only get worse.

More troubling, this lawsuit sets a dangerous precedent: if politicians can sue away any voter initiative they dislike, why bother with ballot measures at all? The message to Washingtonians is clear—your vote only matters when Seattle elites agree with it. And if they get away with this, who’s to say they won’t start overturning elections next?

Seattle doesn’t need climate heroes; it needs leaders who actually respect democracy. Harrell and company should stop masquerading as public servants and start listening to the voters they claim to represent. Otherwise, the only thing they’ll save is their own political agenda. Read more at KTTH.

Senator Curtis King, R-Yakima, has proposed legislation to redirect vehicle sales taxes to Washington’s transportation budget, aiming to fully transition this revenue by 2031. Currently, most of these funds go to the general fund, but King argues transportation needs—such as road maintenance, ferry upkeep, and new projects—are severely underfunded. His plan could generate up to $1.2 billion annually by its third year.

King highlights how declining gas tax revenue, due to fuel-efficient and electric vehicles, has worsened the transportation budget shortfall. While road usage fees are being studied, King critiques their high administrative costs and instead emphasizes the need to reorganize state budgets to prioritize transportation funding. He argues this shift would eventually benefit the general fund through economic growth spurred by infrastructure improvements. Read more at Center Square.

Washington’s budget is a train wreck, with a $10–$15 billion hole looming over the next two budget cycles thanks to Democrats’ spending spree on everything from public employee contracts to expanding social programs. Gov. Inslee’s response? A band-aid of hiring freezes and delayed commitments, while signaling his caucus’s usual playbook: higher taxes. Proposals include resurrecting a wealth tax, Seattle’s “JumpStart” payroll tax, and a road usage fee, all under the guise of making the rich and corporations pay their “fair share.” Meanwhile, Republicans like Sen. John Braun point out the obvious—this isn’t a revenue problem; it’s a spending problem. Delaying costly programs like Fair Start for Kids and collective bargaining agreements could eliminate half the shortfall without punishing taxpayers. Yet, with Bob Ferguson poised to take the reins as governor, don’t expect bold cost-cutting reforms. Instead, brace for another round of tax hikes to fund the endless wish list of Democratic policies run amok. Read more at the Washington State Standard.

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