Honoring the 80th Anniversary of D-Day: Reflecting on the bravery and sacrifice of the Greatest Generation.
Honoring the 80th Anniversary of D-Day
Today, we honor the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a pivotal moment that exemplifies the bravery, sacrifice, and determination of the Greatest Generation. On June 6, 1944, tens of thousands of American, British, Canadian, and Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy. We reflect on the courage of those who laid down their lives for freedom, and the resilience of those who survived to continue the fight. Their sacrifice ensured the preservation of the values we hold dear: liberty, democracy, and justice.
As we commemorate this historic day, we invite you to delve into an interesting aspect of that fateful night: how Americans learned about D-Day here at home. Read more at MyNorthwest.com.
King County's Housing Market Hits Record Highs
King County’s median home price exceeded $1 million last month, reaching a record high. This milestone reflects the ongoing challenges in the Seattle-area real estate market, where high mortgage rates have increased monthly payments and dampened demand, yet home prices continue to rise due to a scarcity of available homes. The Eastside saw the most significant increase, with median home prices reaching $1.7 million, a 17% rise, while Seattle’s median was $965,000, up 7%. Of course, high mortgage rates, now around 7%, have significantly increased monthly payments, constraining buyers’ purchasing power.
For perspective, the typical monthly mortgage payment for a median home with a 20% down payment has risen to about $5,800, a 10% increase from last year. And, of course, inventory constraints are exacerbated by homeowners reluctant to sell due to their low interest rates from previous years, leading to a “lock-in effect.” In other words, for most families, the dream of obtaining a home is increasingly out-of-reach in King County.Read more at the Seattle Times.
King County's Painful Lesson: Doubling Down on California's Failed Minimum Wage Hike
King County decided that they won’t learn an important lesson by observation, they prefer to feel the pain themselves. Refusing to learn from California’s economic struggles resulting from raising the minimum wage, King County Council has increased the minimum wage to $20.29. Reports from California show significant price hikes and business closures attributed to the wage increase. And, unfortunately, King County’s move will likely lead to similar outcomes.
Restaurants with slim profit margins must now raise prices or cut labor costs, resulting in fewer jobs and reduced hours. Although workers might initially see higher wages, long-term costs like reduced hours or job losses will likely negate these benefits. Just this week, Rubio’s Coastal Grill closed 48 restaurants due to California’s $20 minimum wage. As the Washington Policy Center recently warned, King County should reconsider this decision to avoid similar economic issues. But, with Democrats in charge, we aren’t holding our breath. Read more at the Washington Policy Center.
NEA Contributes $$$ To Prevent Repeal of Capital Gains Income Tax
The National Education Association (NEA) is, once again, throwing money in our state – and this time it’s to stop Initiative 2109, which would repeal the state capital gains income tax. NEA has contributed $500,000 to defend the state capital gains income tax. Thus far, the NEA is the largest donor to the campaign against I-2109, followed by other major public-sector labor organizations. Thus far, both the opposition and supporters of the repeal have raised about $1 million each. According to the Washington Observer, more significant donations are anticipated as the campaign progresses. It’s just another reminder of the importance of voting this election cycle.
Democrats' Failed Police Pursuit Ban: Chaos on Washington's Roads
After Democrats passed their failed law banning police from pursuing suspected criminal in 2021, nearly 8,000 incidents of drivers refusing to stop for troopers were logged by the Washington State Patrol. Between July 2021 and March 2024, drivers fled from troopers 7,941 times. Local police forces are reporting similar numbers. From King 5:
“There’s no statewide database tracking the number of police chases or drivers that fail to yield to cops. But even at some smaller law enforcement agencies, like in Lakewood and Puyallup, police leaders said they recorded a similar pattern of more drivers suddenly dodging the cops.
“At the Lakewood Police Department, where about 100 officers patrol the streets, city data shows drivers fled from the cops 727 times between July 2021 and March 31 of this year.”
Democrats’ failed law has been revised to allow police to pursue suspects with reasonable suspicion. But, given these astonishing numbers, we’ll never know how many tragic car accidents or crimes could have been prevented. Read more at King 5.
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