Washington families are staring down $3.6 billion in new taxes, and Democrats are already scrambling for a scapegoat. Their latest excuse? Somehow, it’s all Donald Trump’s fault—never mind that every one of these tax hikes was passed before any federal changes took place.

State Sen. Drew MacEwen wasn’t having it. Speaking on The Jason Rantz Show, he blasted the governor and Democrat lawmakers for pretending D.C. is to blame. “These things were voted on before anything at the federal government was happening,” MacEwen said. “So the audacity of the governor and Democrat legislators to blame the federal government on any of this, particularly on Trump, is outlandish.”

He even pointed to the bill-signing ceremony, where Democrats were all smiles—Gov. Ferguson, Sen. Noel Frame, Sen. June Robinson—beaming as they added billions in new taxes. Now, those same faces are ducking for cover as voters feel the hit.

The damage is real: everyday services, digital tools, staffing costs, and even outdoor recreation fees are all climbing—some by up to 50%. MacEwen estimates it’s effectively a 10% hike in the cost of living for everyone. And the worst part? Democrats aren’t done. More tax proposals are already expected in January.

Republicans are hoping voters fight back in two special elections this fall, with Michele Caldier and Chad Magendanz running to slow the tax-happy agenda. But for now, Washingtonians are left footing the bill for the Left’s spending spree—while Democrats pretend it’s raining Trump tariffs. Read more at Seattle Red.

After Spokane voters overwhelmingly backed a camping ban last year—banning homeless encampments within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, and daycares—the state’s left-leaning Supreme Court tossed it out, claiming it didn’t fit the “citizen initiative process.” Now, conservatives on the City Council are trying again to restore what three-quarters of voters clearly wanted: safe public spaces.

Councilmembers Jonathan Bingle and Michael Cathcart are reintroducing Prop 1 this month, hoping their colleagues finally stop treating public safety like an optional elective. So far, the liberal majority—including Mayor Lisa Brown and Council President Betsy Wilkerson—has blocked them twice, even as police report the current watered-down camping ban is basically unenforceable.

Democrat councilmembers insist they need a “nuanced approach,” which apparently means letting encampments stay as long as people promise to move later—or as Bingle put it, “a pile of hot garbage.” Meanwhile, SPD has issued zero citations under the new rules, and residents are still stuck watching the downtown chaos grow.

But don’t worry, the council’s got a plan: another “task force,” another “review,” and another round of “let’s not rush it.” Translation: Spokane will never be Disneyland—but under this crew, it’s looking more like Neverland. Read more at Center Square.

Seattle and King County just got slapped with $87,500 in fines from the Washington Department of Ecology and the EPA for violating water quality permits and consent decrees—translation: too much raw sewage spilling where it shouldn’t.

Seattle’s share, $35,000, stems from repeated sewer overflow events in 2024, while King County owes $52,500 for “compliance issues” at its wet weather treatment stations. Officials insist it’s all under control—just ignore the part where their billion-dollar infrastructure plan is years behind schedule.

Both jurisdictions point to flashy mega-projects like the $710 million Ship Canal Water Quality Project and the $275 million Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station, proudly declaring they’re “keeping millions of gallons” of polluted water out of local waterways—after years of letting it flow right in.

And because nothing says “accountability” like moving the goalposts, the state quietly extended Seattle and King County’s cleanup deadline from 2030 to 2037, giving them seven more years to meet standards they were already failing.

But don’t worry—the bureaucrats say the pipes will behave “eventually.” In the meantime, Seattle residents can rest easy knowing that when it rains, it quite literally pours. Read more at Center Square.

Seattle’s far-left activists are at it again—this time, turning the city’s streets into a gallery of violent, anti-ICE propaganda. Stickers and posters across utility poles and shop windows threaten federal agents with everything from social isolation to machete attacks. One even warns, “If you join ICE, nobody will date you, nobody will hire you,” while another shows a masked militant standing over murdered ICE officers under the banner, “Abolish ICE & Defeat Fascism.”

The city’s activist fringe loves to call this “free speech,” but let’s be honest—it’s intimidation. If anyone else put up violent posters targeting activists or city officials, Seattle’s media would light its collective hair on fire. But since the target is ICE, the Left shrugs—or quietly applauds.

This is the same crowd that preaches “tolerance” and “compassion” while fantasizing about violence against federal agents who enforce immigration law. They scream about “fascism,” but their tactics look an awful lot like it.

Of course, the real joke’s on them. ICE agents face cartels, gangs, and violent criminals every day—they’re not going to flinch at a few soy-fueled anarchists with glue sticks and markers. Seattle’s activist scene has gone from performance art to parody, mistaking vandalism for virtue and threats for progress.

The posters may be loud, but all they really scream is desperation. Read more at Seattle Red.

Please consider making a contribution to ensure Shift continues to provide daily updates on the shenanigans of the liberal establishment. If you’d rather mail a check, you can send it to: Shift WA | PO Box 956 | Cle Elum, WA 98922

Forward this to a friend.  It helps us grow our community and serve you better.

You can also follow SHIFTWA on social media by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

If you feel we missed something that should be covered, email us at [email protected].