We compiled a quick rundown of what Jay Inslee’s campaign for President is costing Washington taxpayers and our state’s financial health. In short, Jay Inslee’s campaign for President is costing each Washington taxpayer hundreds of dollars and will cost the state thousands of jobs. (Shift WA)

As Inslee flies around the country, many anxious Democrats are hoping Inslee’s presidential campaign catches fire so they can move up the ladder. AG Bob Ferguson and Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz are eyeing the Governor’s Mansion while their current offices are being contemplated by other Democrats. This includes State Sen. Christine Rolfes, Democrat from Bainbridge Island, who says she has formed an “exploratory” committee on Monday for the lands commissioner post. Someone should inform the Senator that in Washington state there is no such thing as an “exploratory” campaign. You either form a campaign or you don’t. (Seattle Times)

The Washington State Department of Commerce claims that the number of homeless people across the state has dropped by 3.1 percent since last year. Commerce says that there were 21,621 people experiencing homelessness at their point-in-time count. The report notes that, “across the state, households with the lowest incomes, and fixed incomes in particular, are not keeping pace with rent increases.” (MyNorthwest.com)

Members of the Seattle City Council today signed a pledge to do away with “climate pollution” by 2030. They stated no actual goals on how to do this, how much it will cost, or how to pay for it.  Yet, at the same time they promised to “address historical and current injustices” and create thousands of green, unionized jobs.  And since they were throwing around empty promises with no plan to achieve them, many were surprised they also didn’t pledge a Mariners World Series ring by 2025. (Seattle Times)

In order tostop wildfires on land used for cattle ranching, recreation and habitat for the imperiled sage grouse, federal officials announced their testing of “fuel breaks” that starve the fire of vegetation. The testing will take place in six western states, including Washington.  AP story states, “Giant rangeland wildfires in recent decades have destroyed vast areas of sagebrush steppe that support some 350 species of wildlife. Experts say the blazes have mainly been driven by cheatgrass, an invasive species that relies on fire to spread to new areas while killing native plants, including sagebrush.” (Yakima Herald)

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