Another day, another tax increase proposal from King County Executive Dow Constantine as he edges closer to retirement at the end of his term. This time, Constantine is pitching an 8.5-cent property tax hike aimed at generating revenue for the county’s struggling public health clinics. While he touts this plan as a lifeline for essential services, it feels more like a last-ditch effort to cover the financial mismanagement that has plagued his administration for years.

Constantine’s move comes after years of warning about the potential closure of these clinics, yet he conveniently overlooks the root causes of the county’s fiscal troubles. The state’s 1% cap on property tax increases has been a familiar scapegoat for him, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that he has had ample time to advocate for real solutions instead of relying on taxing hardworking residents. His proposal to raise an estimated $74.6 million for the 2025 budget sounds nice in theory, but it’s a classic case of kicking the can down the road.

This tax increase not only burdens homeowners but also signals a lack of accountability on Constantine’s part. In all his years at County Executive, he has failed to deliver a sustainable financial strategy, leaving the county’s general fund $450 million short of where it should be. If the public health clinics are so vital, why has it taken him until now to propose a solution? Read more at the Seattle Times.

In a recent op-ed, GOP State Senator John Braun (20^th LD) blasts the antisemitic behavior seen on college campuses, especially in Washington, where pro-Hamas protests have included the destruction of Israeli flags and vandalism. He argues that universities like the University of Washington have been too soft, allowing illegal actions without any real consequences, which only invites more of the same. In contrast, Braun points to leaders like Ben Sasse, president of the University of Florida, who took a hard line against protesters crossing the line, suspending those who broke the rules.

Braun also calls out Washington State Democratic Party and Bob Ferguson for not condemning Hamas, pointing out the hypocrisy given their supposed stance against hate. He makes it clear that Ferguson’s weak response isn’t enough, especially compared to what Republican candidate Dave Reichert would do. Braun points out that as a former King County Sheriff, Reichert has a proven track record of enforcing the law and would take a much tougher stance against lawlessness and antisemitism on campuses. With the fall term starting soon, Braun calls on university leaders to protect free speech and religious freedom and prevent another round of antisemitic protests – here’s to hope. Read more here.

Here’s a ridiculous story KTTH’s Jason Rantz recently reported: progressive activists and Cherry Street Coffee employees staged a walkout in Seattle after the owner, Ali Ghambari, warned the city council that an upcoming minimum wage hike would cripple his business. Ignoring his concerns, they teamed up with socialist agitators and protested, believing they could force him to comply. Instead, the store is now permanently closed, and they’re out of jobs—a consequence they invited.

The new wage laws, set to take effect in January 2025, will eliminate the tip credit, adding more financial strain on businesses already struggling. Ghambari tried to reason with city officials, but his Capitol Hill location became a target of extremist activists who drove it to closure. Ironically, the protesters celebrated the shutdown of a minority-owned business while condemning its owner for speaking out. Now, they’re left jobless, so it appears that their so-called victory is a hollow one. Read more at KTTH.

Boeing offered a 30% wage increase, a $6,000 bonus, and a better 401(k) match to its striking machinists, but that still wasn’t enough for some workers who insist on a 40% raise and the return of pensions. Despite significant concessions from Boeing—like reinstating a bonus program and improving benefits—many union members continue to reject the offer, dismissing it as a rehash of previous proposals. Boeing is trying to keep its business afloat amid the strike, but production on key planes like the 737 has been halted, and nonunion workers in South Carolina are the only ones keeping the 787 program alive. The machinists’ refusal to compromise is starting to hit Boeing hard, forcing the company to implement unpaid furloughs and cut spending. While some workers want to accept the offer and return to work, others seem more intent on holding out for demands that are increasingly unrealistic given the current economic climate created by Democrats’ reckless tax-and-spend agenda. If they keep this up, both the company and the workers may just lose more than they gain. Read more at MyNorthwest.com.

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