Nothing says “we’re out of ideas” like blowing past campaign finance laws and hoping no one notices! But that’s exactly what’s happening in Spokane.
Recall Gone Rogue: When Breaking the Law is Plan B
In some interesting Spokane news, the Republican incumbent County Commissioner Al French filed a major complaint with the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) and Attorney General Bob Ferguson. A press release from the campaign details how Clean Water Accountability Coalition (CWAC) and several other groups broke Washington’s campaign finance laws during the failed recall effort against French. The complaint claims CWAC, attorney Knoll Lowney, and their contributors exceeded legal contribution limits and are now doubling down by running misleading ads after their recall was thrown out of court. According to French, this is a clear attempt to influence the election with lies, and he’s urging the PDC to take immediate action to stop it.
French called out his opponent’s allies for trying to use the court of public opinion to spread misinformation after losing in the court of law. He argues Spokane voters shouldn’t have to fact-check these blatant falsehoods and insists the PDC should force local stations to pull the ads.
Attorney Mark Lamb, representing the French campaign, called the situation unprecedented, describing the violations as some of the worst he’s seen in 26 years. He explained that CWAC knowingly crossed the legal limits, even asking the PDC for a waiver before backing out just as it was about to be denied. Lamb emphasized that this isn’t an isolated incident—groups like Fuse Washington and Washington Conservation Voters, both heavily involved in the recall and ads, have a long history of breaking campaign finance rules. This shows a deliberate and coordinated effort to sidestep the law, not just an accidental oversight.
The French campaign argues that these illegal contributions, combined with the false ads, are an attack on the integrity of Spokane County’s election process. With the election just weeks away and ballots already in voters’ hands, they’re calling on the PDC to step in swiftly to prevent further damage. The complaint also highlights Fuse Washington’s deep involvement in the recall effort and their financial support for French’s opponent, Molly Marshall, which raises even more concerns about election interference.
French and his team are pushing hard for accountability, insisting that Spokane voters deserve better than to have their election influenced by groups with a track record of ignoring the law.
Billions for Green Dreams, but No Jobs to Show for It
Despite Governor Jay Inslee’s years of pushing extreme green energy policies and billions in taxpayer-funded programs, Washington state ranks a dismal 31st in the country for clean energy job creation. As the Washington Policy Center points out, while states without CO2 taxes, like Georgia and Texas, are raking in clean energy investments and creating tens of thousands of jobs, Washington barely has 540 clean energy jobs to show for it. The much-touted Climate Commitment Act (CCA), which was supposed to spur growth, has delivered almost nothing in job creation, leaving Washington well behind even small states like Arkansas and West Virginia. Meanwhile, residents are stuck with higher energy costs and one of the worst unemployment rates in the nation, proving that Inslee’s climate policies have failed to deliver. Read more at the Washington Policy Center.
40% Raise? Nah, We’ll Hold Out for the Pension Fairy!
Boeing machinists just turned down a contract offering a nearly 40% raise, a $7,000 bonus, and higher 401K contributions, all while Boeing reported over $6 billion in third-quarter losses. Despite the tempting offer, 64% of union members rejected it, holding out for the reinstatement of a pension plan—something only 15% of private industry workers even have access to anymore. With the six-week strike stalling production and airline orders, it looks like the union is more interested in nostalgia than practicality. Meanwhile, Boeing is scrambling to fix its finances. Read more at Center Square.
Voting Season is Here: Get Your Ballots Ready!
General Election voting kicked off last week as drop boxes opened for ballot submissions. Each county is required to mail ballots to voters by today, starting an 18-day voting period leading up to Election Day on November 5. Please remember to submit your ballot early to avoid last-minute issues. You can postmark your ballot by 8 p.m. on November 5 (no postage required), or through county drop boxes, which are open 24/7 and will close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. As you know, this election includes crucial positions like president, governor, congressional seats, and local measures. Please remember to vote! You can find ballot drop locations here.
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