Washington Democrats are drafting a bill to make homelessness a protected class, effectively legalizing encampments and RV living statewide while stripping cities of their ability to enforce bans. Sponsored by Rep. Mia Gregerson, the legislation would grant the homeless the “civil right” to live wherever they please—parks, sidewalks, freeway medians, even public building lobbies—while cities stand by powerless to act. Local leaders weren’t consulted, and the bill conveniently ignores addiction and mental illness as drivers of homelessness, instead blaming “economic hardship” and “discriminatory policies.” It even leaves shelters vulnerable to being deemed “inadequate” if they don’t allow, say, smoking fentanyl on-site. In the name of compassion, Gregerson’s proposal prioritizes permissiveness over solutions, ensuring Washington communities get even more encampments and fewer answers. It’s peak absurdity wrapped in a veneer of progressive virtue. Read more at KTTH.

After decades in Congress, Rep. Adam Smith has finally had his “eureka” moment: the Democratic Party’s brand is a hot mess, and maybe—just maybe—lecturing voters and calling them ignorant isn’t a winning strategy. In a rare bout of candor, Smith admitted the party’s messaging and economic policies are so narrowly tailored they might as well come with a “some exclusions apply” label. He also called out his colleagues for thinking endless Trump-bashing would somehow fix everything, as if the American people haven’t already heard that one on repeat. This revelation comes after Democrats were trounced in the 2024 elections, with Trump crushing Kamala Harris and Republicans taking over Congress. Now, Smith is vowing to lead “honest conversations” about the party’s flaws—because, apparently, better late than never. Read more at the Washington State Standard.

Seattle’s City Council has decided to raid its payroll tax piggy bank, diverting funds meant for affordable housing and other priorities to plug a $350 million general fund deficit—because why stick to promises when you can just shuffle the money around? Originally meant to support lofty goals like the “Green New Deal” and mental health programs, the JumpStart tax revenue will now prop up the city’s bloated budget, with no restrictions on spending. Residents and local groups objected loudly, but their concerns were ignored as the council gave a $287 million nod to the general fund for 2025 alone. To add insult to injury, they disbanded the tax’s Oversight Committee, conveniently silencing one of the few checks on their spending spree. Despite all this cash-grabbing, Seattle is still staring at a $75 million deficit post-2026, proving that no amount of tax revenue is ever enough for City Hall. Meanwhile, businesses like Amazon and Meta get to bankroll this circus, whether they like it or not. Read more at Center Square.

Seattle’s crime crisis hit yet another small business, as thieves calmly looted $5,000 in tips from the Wild Mountain Café while the owner helplessly watched on her Ring camera. Despite repeated 911 calls, police—crippled by years of defunding and mass resignations—arrived too late to stop the burglars. Since 2020, over 600 officers have left Seattle PD, leaving the city understaffed and overwhelmed, with no meaningful plan to rebuild. Mayor Bruce Harrell talks tough on crime but has done little beyond vague promises and speeches, while recruitment efforts are bizarrely outsourced to city bureaucrats. Small business owners, unlike city leaders with personal police protection, are left to fend for themselves in this lawlessness. Read KTTH’s Jason Rantz’s take on the incident here.

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