Jay Inslee, we all know, is more of a spender than a budget hawk. It’s not his money, so why should he care whether or not it’s spent wisely. Well, the Cato Institute noticed, giving Gov. Inslee a grade of “F” in the latest fiscal report card on the 50 governors. Inslee didn’t just receive a failing grade – in terms of greatest failure, there wasn’t a single governor even remotely close. Inslee was ranked 50^th. “He originally campaigned on a promise not to raise taxes, but he proposed more than $1 billion in higher taxes in his first budget in 2013,” the report said of Inslee. (Cato Institute)

Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal has a not-so-novel idea for growing the state budget: A capital gains income tax. But he’s not calling it that – Reykdal incorrectly asserts that a capital gains tax isn’t an income tax. Every other state and the IRS consider a capital gains income tax to be, well, an income tax, but Reykdal insists it’s not. George Orwell famously referred to this as “doublespeak.” (Everett Herald)

State officials plan to outlaw weed-infused candies, beginning next year. The Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board said it is reevaluating products that may be enticing to children, such as cannabis-based hard and gummy candies. State regulators have paid very careful attention over the years to tobacco products that might be enticing to children – why the delay in marijuana products, which the state regulates and taxes? (The Spokesman-Review)

The Seattle City Council chose to weigh into the energy tax debate, publicly endorsing Initiative 1639. We take voting advice from the Seattle City Council about as seriously as public speaking tips from Jay Inslee. (My Northwest)

King County has a new lead on homelessness and poverty issues: Leo Flor. County Executive Dow Constantine appointed Flor, who already works in the county’s human services department. He will oversee an agency with a $1.5 billion budget and 400 employees. (Seattle Times)

Want to be a state representative? If you’re a Republican in the 13^thLegislative District, you can throw in your name for an upcoming appointment. The GOP chairmen in Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln, and Yakima counties are looking for potential nominees for the position 2 seat, which will become vacant if Rep. Matt Manweller (R-Ellensburg) is re-elected, as he plans to resign. The county parties will begin interviewing candidates on Oct. 11 in Kittitas County. (Ellensburg Daily Record)

Longtime state Sen. Jim Honeyford (R-Sunnyside) is facing a challenger who followed a similar path. Like Honeyford, Democrat Bengie Aguilar served on the Sunnyside City Council before running for the Legislature. Honeyford is expected to win, having taken close to 67 percent of the primary vote in August. (Yakima Herald-Republic)

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