Apparently, running up raising taxes has really taken its toll, so naturally, Washington Democrats gave themselves a big fat pay bump!
Washington Lawmakers Give Themselves a 14% Pay Raise
Washington state lawmakers are set to receive a 14% pay raise over the next two years, pushing their salaries above $70,000. Lawmakers currently earn just under $62,000, but this raise, starting in 2025, will push their pay to $66,411, with another increase to $71,126 by 2026.
Democrat Lt. Gov. Denny Heck argued for these raises, claiming the demands on legislators have grown significantly – apparently, all those tax increases have really worn-out Democrats. Heck went as far as to describe lawmakers as the “board of directors” for the state’s 8 million residents, implying they deserve to be paid accordingly. The state’s budget issues be damned.
While Democrats can’t cut taxes or balance the budget, they sure know how to secure raises for themselves. Read more at PBS.
Bob Ferguson: Champion of ‘The People’—Just With $6 Million in Dark Money Backup
Surprise, surprise – Bob Ferguson’s gubernatorial campaign is benefiting heavily from dark money and far-left PACs. Groups like Evergreen Values, a Super PAC linked to the Democratic Governors Association, has spent over $6 million to attack his Republican opponent, Dave Reichert. In stark contrast, only $171,000 has been spent to oppose Ferguson – a massive financial imbalance, to say the least. As Shift WA readers know, while Super PACs can’t coordinate with candidates, they face no contribution limits, allowing them to pour unlimited cash into negative ads. Of course, despite the overwhelming support from outside money, there’s no guarantee Ferguson will win, but the influence of dark money in his favor is undeniable. Read more at KIRO Radio.
Washington Cities Throw a Tantrum Over Ballot Initiatives—Because Keeping Natural Gas and Lower Taxes is Just Too Much
In an act of political grandstanding, several Washington cities are actively opposing four ballot initiatives set for next month. Of course, Initiative 2066 aims to protect natural gas usage, while Initiative 2109 seeks to repeal the state’s controversial capital gains tax. Initiative 2117 would scrap the state’s cap-and-trade program, and Initiative 2124 would make the WA Cares long-term care program optional. But all that is unacceptable to cities like Seattle, Redmond, and Olympia. They’ve lined up against one or more of these initiatives – all for financial motivations and progressive virtue signaling. Despite the opposition, these initiatives are widely supported by voters, as they each surpassed the signature requirements needed for certification. Time will tell what voters will ultimately decide. Read more at Center Square.
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- Pete Serrano discusses his path to law school, work as an environmental lawyer, and run for office. He breaks down the Attorney General’s mission, public safety priorities, and the police and public defender shortages. Pete also highlights what sets him apart from his opponent and shares thoughts on working with the legislature and whether the AG should be appointed by the governor.
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- The hosts dive into regulations with Patrick McLaughlin, Director of Policy Analytics at the Mercatus Center. Patrick discusses his latest project on state-level regulations and their economic impacts. How does Washington compare to its neighbors? Do regulators care about stifling progress, or are regulations necessary? Patrick addresses critics and offers insights on improving the regulatory landscape, especially in a blue state.
- Judge Dave Larson joins the podcast to discuss his run for the Washington State Supreme Court, his journey into law, and the realities of judicial elections. He also touches on bias in the judiciary, legal news on ballot initiatives, and whether legal shows get it right. Finally, he shares ideas for improving the justice system.
- David Olson talks about his bid for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, including the role of OSPI, implications of I-2081, and his approaches to learning loss and school tech policies. He also addresses rising anti-Semitism in schools and the need for more apprenticeships.
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