In a recent op-ed, State Sen. John Braun (R-Centralia) criticized Jay Inslee for breaking his infamous no-new-taxes promise when he first ran for governor. As we know, Inslee has no intention of keeping his promise. Inslee’s tenure resulted in numerous tax bills and increased state spending.

Now, as Sen. Braun points out, Bob Ferguson is running for governor and making several promises that his record simply does not support, particularly when it comes to law enforcement. Braun notes Ferguson’s lack of support for Republican police funding bills and his endorsement by the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, which disparages police. Braun also highlight Ferguson’s anti-gun legislation and policies decriminalizing drug possession, which is linked to increased drug overdoses.

All in all, Ferguson’s actions don’t line up with his promises – and, like Inslee, voters should not trust he has any intention of keeping them. Read more at The Chronicle.

Spokane business owners are considering a petition to oust Democrat Mayor Lisa Brown if she fails to enforce Proposition 1, an ordinance banning homelessness near parks, daycares, and schools. The ordinance, previously unenforced due to the Martin v. Boise ruling, can now be enforced following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision. Some city council members and business leaders are calling for urgent enforcement of Prop 1, with warning of a potential recall if the mayor does not act promptly. Understandably, they are frustrated with the current state of homelessness and drug use in Spokane. Read more at Center Square.

Transit ridership in our state has dropped sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and has been slow to rebound – that reality has the Washington Policy Center questioning whether transit is in a “death spiral” where reduced ridership leads to lower revenue, service cuts, and further declines in ridership. As the Washington Policy Center points out, unlike rust-belt cities that faced this issue due to population and job losses, Washington State’s transit revenue has grown significantly. Revenue went from $2.15 billion in 2012 to $5.19 billion in 2022, mainly due to increased sales tax revenue and federal grants.

However, operating costs have also risen sharply, with King County Metro’s costs increasing from under $150 per service hour in 2011 to over $235 per hour in 2022. Additionally, service productivity has declined, with average passenger boardings per service hour dropping from 31.4 in 2012 to 15.96 in 2022. The numbers reveal a troubling reality: while transit agencies have avoided a traditional “death spiral,” they face a different challenge of rising costs and decreasing productivity. Read more at the Washington Policy Center.

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our podcast, dedicated to delivering insightful conversations on the pressing issues facing Washington state. If you’re concerned about the events unfolding in our state – from rising crime rates to the incessant addition of new tax hikes – and want to have a little fun, this podcast is for you.

Hosted by lifelong Washington state residents, our podcast features interviews with conservative thinkers and leaders who share their perspectives and solutions for the challenges our state faces. And, in the coming weeks, we’ll bring you interviews with candidates vying for offices across our state.

Listen to the inaugural, introductory podcast today – and don’t forget to subscribe!

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