Washington is set for a heated debate as voters will decide on Initiative 2066 in November, which aims to reverse the state’s push to phase out natural gas in homes and buildings. The initiative, backed by the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) and supported by other industry groups, gathered over 533,000 signatures, far surpassing the required 324,516. If passed, it would repeal Democrats’ recent laws forcing the transition from natural gas to electric heat pumps. It would also prevent local governments from banning or discouraging natural gas use. The initiative joins three others on the ballot, which aim to roll back the cap-and-tax, the capital gains income tax, and the long-term care tax. Read more at the Washington State Standard.

The King County Council Law and Justice Committee met to discuss a motion proposed by Council member Reagan Dunn, aiming to maintain the operations of the Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center (CCFJC), which is currently planned to close next year.

However, not every member of the County Council appears to believe in the need to detain youth charged with serious crimes. Committee Chair Jorge Baron claimed the current system has harmful effects on youth and suggested it may undermine public safety goals.

The discussion was influenced by a recent ‘Care and Closure’ report, which explored moving towards unsecure detention for juveniles, despite a significant rise in youth violent crime. Concerns over the facility’s potential closure have reportedly affected staff morale and service. The full council is set to continue deliberations on August 20. Read more at KIRO Radio.

The “OIC Answers on Insurance” podcast, produced by Washington state’s Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC), recently discussed Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSMs) with OIC Deputy Commissioner Michael Marchand. HCSMs are non-insurance pools where members voluntarily contribute to cover healthcare costs, though without guarantees of reimbursement. The OIC cautioned listeners about these arrangements, noting they often leave participants without expected benefits.

Ironically, the podcast inadvertently highlighted similar issues with the state-mandated WA Cares program (aka the long-term care tax), which requires workers to pay a payroll tax for long-term care coverage. Like HCSMs, WA Cares promises benefits that may not materialize, as many contributors may never qualify for payouts despite paying into the system. Far from providing “peace of mind,” the long-term care tax may not be sufficient or available when needed. As the Washington Policy Center points out, the OIC’s warnings about HCSMs—such as confusing consumers by resembling insurance but failing to deliver—apply equally to WA Cares. Read more at the Washington Policy Center.

Voting for Washington’s 2024 primary election is underway. Voters must return ballots to drop boxes or voting centers by 8 p.m. on August 6. Mailed ballots need to be postmarked by August 6, and the USPS recommends mailing them a week prior. It’s worth noting – all 39 counties have races on their ballots, with 654 offices and 94 local measures up for decision. Voters can check ballot status and drop box locations online!

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!

Please consider making a contribution to ensure Shift continues to provide daily updates on the shenanigans of the liberal establishment. If you’d rather mail a check, you can send it to: Shift WA | PO Box 956 | Cle Elum, WA 98922

Forward this to a friend.  It helps us grow our community and serve you better.

You can also follow SHIFTWA on social media by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

If you feel we missed something that should be covered, email us at [email protected].