Surprise, surprise – the New York Times is all in, endorsing Jay Inslee’s insistence that Washington’s I-2117 vote to end his cap-and-trade law is a top priority. A recent article seemingly framed the issue as if it’s the next biggest election after the presidential race. And, of course, much of that is down to Inslee’s hyperbole. The Times describes Inslee’s take of the I-2117 as a world-watching moment, pitching his climate law as a must-save “landmark” for carbon reduction.

If this vote truly were the country’s second-most significant, you’d think there’d be two equally invested sides vying for it. Instead, Inslee’s team of Gates, Ballmer, big unions, tribes, and green organizations (all deep in taxpayer-funded benefits) is overwhelmingly outspending the “Vote Yes, Pay Less” advocates. The financial disparity has been stark since Labor Day, with Inslee’s side shelling out ten times more on ads, likely even more once the real numbers come out — if those ever do see the light. Read the New York Times article here.

Another day, another billion-dollar blessing for the 15 people who’ll use it – the West Seattle light rail is moving forward. Sound Transit’s System Expansion Committee already backed the “preferred alternative” route, and now the final board vote looms. Despite public meetings and input, the $7 billion price tag remains in the stratosphere, with no clear plan to cover it. Tomorrow’s meeting is scheduled from 1:30-5 pm, including time for public comments, though that won’t stop this train. If approved, the project inches to about 30% design, while funding (somehow) will be decided at future stages. The board motion will be on the table Thursday – tune in if you want a front-row seat for this wallet-busting ride. Read more here.

Seattle’s latest revenue forecast just revealed a new $48.6 million budget hole through 2026, thanks to dwindling tax collections. Instead of cutting back, Seattle’s City Council will face a tougher budgeting process as they scramble to plug this multi-million dollar gap — now estimated at $20 million in next year’s budget alone. Plunging sales and business tax revenue add to the crisis, with economists noting a severe drop in the construction sector as permit values fall to nearly half their 2016-2019 averages. With sales tax revenue now sliding outside of a recession, Seattle has managed to set a new low for budget planning, burning through funds while the city’s tax base collapses. The real test? Watching City Hall attempt to solve a crisis they helped create. Read more at Center Square.

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.

Have you subscribed to the new Shift WA podcast yet? We’ve already released three full episodes, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive:

• Fresh off a Seattle Times endorsement, Jaime Herrera-Beutler joins us to discuss her race for Commissioner of Public Lands. What does the Commissioner do? How can we reduce wildfires? What’s involved in forest management? Jaime tackles these questions and more.
• 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.
• Forget the debates! We’re going full counter-programming with our first video podcast featuring the one and only Ashley Stubbs. She’s shares the wild world of campaign merch and swag. We dive into her treasure trove of campaign knickknacks and discuss what worked, what didn’t, and how it might have even cost Mayor Pete the 2020 election.
• 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.

Subscribe now and don’t miss out on these critical discussions!

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