Stop the madness - restore democracy

The Washington State Supreme Court decided to overturn I-976, the $30 car tab initiative.   The Court simultaneously established the precedent that they could overturn democratic elections results at will.  Their will, not ours.  We gotta break them of that habit now.

To quote from Article 1, Section 1, Washington State Constitution  "All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights."

Our state government was designed to serve the People -- elections express the will of the People and their collective wisdom.  What has just happened is the government has decided we the People are here to serve them.

Insurrection: An act of open revolt, rebellion, or resistance against lawfully constituted civil authority.

When public authorities decide they can ignore the will of the People, they dilute the power of citizenship and they clear the way for autocracy and tyranny. 

The historical treatment for such insurrectionist elitism is execution.  I hope we the People don't have to go that far.  But it is clear, we must be prepared.

Source links:

• The Urbanist - Washington State Supreme Court overturns I-976
• Ballotopedia - $30 car tab initiative
• Washington State election results https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/current/State-Measures-Initiative-Measure-No-976.html
• Washington State Constitution - http://www.leg.wa.gov/LawsAndAgencyRules/Documents/12-2010-WAStateConstitution.pdf

Democrat elitists sue voters who voted for Initiative Measure No. 976 ($30 car tabs)

The city of Seattle, King County, and the Port of Seattle filed a lawsuit in the King County Superior Court arguing against voter Initiative 976, the voter-approved $30 car tab measure. They claim the initiative violated the state Constitution by – among other allegations – misleading voters.

The irony of Dow Constantine – who sits on the unelected Sound Transit board of directors – attacking a voter-approved measure for misleading the public should not be lost. Democrats to the public: If you vote for tax relief, we will sue you.

Study shows mass transit will not reduce traffic congestion in the Puget Sound

A new study backed by the Washington Policy Center found that Seattle’s transit heavy approach to solving transportation congestion will not “improve people’s access to employment nor their quality of life in the long-term.”

Specially, the study found that mass transit – at any cost – does not have the potential to “reduce driving or to reduce traffic congestion in the Puget Sound.” Among other considerations, the study took into account the Puget Sound’s distribution of both job and residential locations.

Charter schools outperform public schools in latest test scores

Washington students on NAEP test drop again

The results for the 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) – a national Test administered to students every two years – are now available. Washington state scores dropped for fourth and eighth grade math and reading scores when compared to 2017.

Superintendent Chris Reykdal pointed to poverty as the cause of low test scores. However, Washington’s nine charter schools – where 60 percent of students are low-income, minority children – far outperformed public schools. Charter schools did not experience a downward trend in test scores.

State Supreme Court upholds Seattle’s “first come, first served” law for renters

After a King County judge struck down Seattle’s law which requires landlords to accept the first qualified tenant to apply for a rental, the state Supreme Court has overturned that order.

Separately, the court placed a prohibition on landlords which prevents them from doing criminal background checks on applicants.  This decision is arrogant, monumental stupidity.

These decisions are all but certain to have a detrimental impact on the long-term rental market because they take away important rights of landlords over their private property.

Government unionization and the Attorney General

The unionization of Washington’s assistant attorneys general is everything that’s wrong with government unions

Earlier this year, the Washington State Legislature passed SB 5297, which allowed for the unionization of the state’s assistant attorneys general (AAG) who litigate cases for the Attorney General’s Office.

However, the bill’s passage and the subsequent unionization of the state’s nearly 600 AAGs is a case study in what’s wrong with government unions. It’s hard to conclude that SB 5297 was anything other than a purely political move to increase union dues collection.

Elections -- Watching the Results

Seattle decided they like the city the way it is and elected government labor-backed progressives to six of the seven seats up for election. Kshama Sawant’s come-from-behind 'victory' will make her the most senior member of the council having won in a similar fashion in 2013.

Sen. Maureen Walsh announces retirement after 28 years of service

State Senator Maureen Walsh (R-College Place) announced last week that she will be retiring from public service after a career that started as a Legislative Assistant, then being elected to the State House in 2005, and finally moving to the Senate in 2016. Sen. Walsh was instrumental in creating the state’s Department of Early Learning. State Representative Bill Jenkin and former Walla Walla County Commissioner Perry Dozier have both announced that they will seek Walsh’s seat in 2020.

Seattle, King County move to block voter-approved $30 car tabs

Washington state voters approved I-976, the initiative to reduce car tabs to $30. The passage of the measure represents a rebuke of Sound Transit and government mismanagement of taxpayer dollars. Unfortunately, Democrats have no need for democracy, and plan to ignore the will of the people. Seattle and King County officials hope to block the voter-approved measure by filing a lawsuit in King County Superior Court.

Spokane voters agree with open, transparent union negotiations

With an overwhelming majority of nearly 80%, Spokane voters approved a city charter amendment requiring the city to conduct open collective bargaining negotiations. Previously, the city’s executive team and the city’s powerful unions have conducted the negotiations in secret. Spokane citizens now have the right to keep track of how city officials negotiate with their tax dollars. Additionally, government employees now have the right to see the tactics used by union executives on their behalf.

Spokane voters make a local income tax impossible

As a precaution against any future plans Democrats may have, Spokane voters pre-emptively banned a local income tax by approving Proposition 2 overwhelmingly. Spokane voters’ ban comes as Seattle fights to implement a local income tax. In July, an appeals court found the state’s blanket ban of an income tax was unconstitutional. The case will head to the state Supreme Court.

Washington voters likely reject affirmative action referendum

Though votes are still being counted, Washington voters seem to have rejected a measure seeking to reinstate the use of racist affirmative action, particularly in state employment and admission to public colleges and universities. Referendum 88 sought to amend a law passed more than two decades that banned state government from discriminating against individuals or groups on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. The proposed amendment sought to allow state-run institutions to consider minority group membership as a factor in assessing qualified applicants. It would also have destroyed long-standing automatic preferences in the law for our veterans.

State Elections Update

Newly elected to the legislature (to fill out terms):

• Legislative District 13 State Representative Pos. 2 - Alex Ybarra  (R)
• Legislative District 40 State Senator - Elizabeth (Liz) Lovelett  (D)

Statewide measures:

• Referendum Measure No. 88, to restore racist preferences, is failing, although the margin appears close.  This, despite support from former governor Gary Locke and leftists in King, Whatcom and Jefferson  counties.  If there is a need for a re-count, look for King County to discover many uncounted ballots.
• Initiative Measure No. 976, to restore car tabs to $30 per year, is passed.

The advisory votes on 11 of the new taxes enacted by the legislature show a general rejection on increasing taxes. Exceptions are

• Advisory Vote No. 23, the tax on vaping products is approved.
• Advisory Vote No. 28, "narrowing" the nonresident sales and use tax exemption is approved.
• Advisory Vote No. 31, new tax on international investment is approved.

~~~~Other matters ~~~~

State Supreme Court to hear Seattle income tax suit

The Washington State Supreme Court will decide the constitutionality of Seattle’s income tax on high earners. Questions include whether Seattle’s income tax on high earners can be implemented, whether a lower court’s decision allowing a uniform tax across all earners should stand, and whether income qualifies as property. If the Supreme Court sides with the City of Seattle, it will overturn a 90-year-old legal precedent that classifies income as property. Currently, the precedent serves as a roadblock to imposing an income tax anywhere in the state.

State Senator Ron Muzzall
Muzzall – a Whidbey Island farm owner and a former fire commissioner – was appointed to replace retiring State Senator Barbara Bailey in Washington’s 10^th Legislative District.  Republican Ron Muzzall (muh-ZAHL), discusses his background, taxation, and the mental health crisis in an interview with Washington Wire’s Michael Goldberg.  Muzzall will join the Senate Republican Caucus for the 2020 legislative session.

State Supreme Court ruling applies law retroactively

In a controversial decision, the Washington Supreme Court ruled that Initiative 1501 – a voter-approved measure that prevents the release of the personal contact information of in-home caregivers – applies retroactively to a public records request made by the Freedom Foundation. The ruling overturns a decision made by a lower court to allow the release of the public records as the Freedom Foundation filed the request before the law came into effect.

Weekly Update

Superintendent Reykdal admits failing school policy, cries "racism" & continues to oppose charter schools

Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal admitted that HB 2261—a bill backed by the WEA ten years ago to “ensure every child learns”—failed. Eventually, HB 2261 led to the doubling in school spending. Reykdal now wants to replace the law with new legislation, and more spending. Despite pointing to “systemic racism” as the cause of failing schools, Reykdal’s plan fails to address the problem. Ironically, he continues to oppose charter schools – a system proven to benefit mostly minority and low-income children.

Das remains unapologetic after controversial accusations proved false

Democrat State Senator Mona Das has yet to apologize for falsely accusing her fellow caucus members of racism and sexism. As the Kent Reporter states, “An apology is unlikely any time soon.” Despite sparking a pointless investigation on the taxpayers’ dime, Democrats have not pushed Das for a public apology. Instead, they prefer to treat the incident as a “teaching moment.” The Facilities and Operations Committee will discuss consequences before the start of the 2020 legislative session.

ICE officials slam Washington state for sanctuary policies

Washington state’s sanctuary policies threaten public safety, according to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. Seattle Field Operations Director Nathalie Asher recently stated that sanctuary laws have made our communities “less safe, returning dangerous criminals to the street while tying the hands of local law enforcement officers trying to keep offenders off the streets.” A recently passed Washington state law bars both local jails and state prisons from complying with ICE requests, making law enforcement more difficult.

Spokane initiative moves to pre-emptively block tax obsessed Democrats

Washington Democrats across the state have demonstrated an obsession with implementing a state income tax. Unable to pass a state income tax, Democrat lawmakers have “introduced bills attempting to give local governments the authority to impose local income taxes.” Seattle Democrats are already attempting to bypass the law and impose a local income tax. This November, voters in Spokane will have the opportunity to pre-empt Democrats and protect themselves against a similar attempt to impose a local income tax. Proposition 2 would prohibit city officials from imposing a local income tax.

Watching this week

Sen. Becker: Das should face consequences for false allegations

Freshman State Senator Mona Das accused her fellow Democrat senators of making racist, sexist, and hateful comments during closed-door caucus meetings. Her allegations led to a formal inquiry that found no evidence of such comments.

In a letter to Facilities and Operations Committee Chair Senator John McCoy, Senate Republican caucus Chair Randi Becker recommends four consequences for Das’ exposed lies and tax dollars spend during the investigation into her lies.

Washington State Treasurer Duane Davidson argues against state income tax

Democrat state lawmakers will push for a state income tax during the 2020 legislative session. Democrats’ renewed push for their favorite obsession comes despite the ability to deliver a balanced budget with current revenue.

In a new op-ed, Washington State Treasurer Duane Davidson urges lawmakers to “reexamine their financial practices and consider the consequences of their actions that have led some to consider establishing a state income tax.”

Inslee delivers remarks at Spokane Climate Strike

"The aim of public education is not to spread enlightenment at all; it is simply to reduce as many individuals as possible to the same safe level, to breed and train a standardized citizenry, to put down dissent and originality. That is its aim in the United States, whatever the pretensions of politicians, pedagogues and other such mountebanks, and that is its aim everywhere else."
-- H L Mencken

Jay Inslee is fresh off his failed presidential bid, but that’s not preventing him from extolling his failed, bankrupting climate change policies. On Friday—after skipping his Governor duties most of the spring and summer—he joined high school students skipping school for the Spokane Climate Strike.

Inslee delivered remarks at the event, following speeches delivered by the high school-aged organizers. Inslee’s attendance endorses kids skipping school to protest – ironically, staying in school is the best course for solving climate change worries as new innovations have done and promise to do more to reduce emissions than any government policy.

The Washington Policy Center’s Todd Myers explains how market-based solutions eliminate CO2 footprints.

On a related note... Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers stated, "Washington Governor and failed presidential candidate Jay Inslee is being sued by Republicans AND Democrats for violating the Washington State Constitution.

Governor Jay Inslee is violated the Washington State Constitution in an attempt to wrestle away power from the state legislature. Jay Inslee used his executive power to block funds for vital infrastructure projects from the state's transportation budget because these projects didn't fit into his radical environmental agenda.

This is just another example of Jay Inslee's blatant corruption."

You can visit McMorris Rodger's page on this subject by clicking here.

Bellevue School District violating workers’ rights

A recent job posting from the Bellevue School District describes the position as “covered by a collective bargaining agreement.” The description appears to imply employees of the school district must pay dues to a union.

Of course, by law, workers cannot be forced to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment. The Bellevue School District’s job notice serves as yet another example of a school district catering to the powerful teachers’ union.

~~~~  Upcoming Republican Events ~~~~

SRCC Tri-Cities Fundraiser with Hosts Kate Lampson, Senator Mark Schoesler and Senator Sharon Brown

When: Monday, September 23 from 6:00-8:00pm
Where: The home of Kate Lampson – 4308 Riverhaven St, Pasco, WA

Josalun Hasz at Josalun@srcc.org or 208-512-2617

Grillin’ Meat & Skeet with Senator Lynda Wilson and Representative Larry Hoff

When: Tuesday, September 24 from 4:00-6:00pm
Where: Vancouver Trap Club – 11100 NE 76th St, Vancouver, WA

Text to Brianne at 360-606-4535

Federal Grizzly Policy for North Central Washington

The re-introduction of grizzly bears to the North Cascades will directly affect the people and the communities.

Representative Dan Newhouse stated his opposition to the stupid and dangerous proposal because he believes the introducion an apex predator to the area will threaten the families, wildlife, and livestock of North Central Washington.

The National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife will have a public meeting on October 7th at the Okanogan County Fairgrounds, 175 Rodeo Trail Road, Okanogan. Doors will open at 5:00 PM.

The Olympia Report: Greed in Government

House Speaker-designate Laurie Jinkins says implementing a capital gains income tax is "a really good approach"

Incoming State House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) has a long and greedy record of fighting for higher taxes -- so it’s no surprise that she’s ready to pass a capital gains income tax next legislative session.  Note that income taxes are the most economically destructive taxes there are.

She claimed to Seattle Morning News host Dave Ross that implementing a capital gains income tax would not require a change in our state’s constitution. When asked about what voters think about sneaking in a state income tax, Jinkins claimed she is “not sure we know exactly broadly what people think about that.”

She apparently is forgetting that voters have voted down a state income tax ten times.  We're taxed enough already.

From the early release of thousands of prisoners to untimely inmate deaths, scandal has plagued Washington State Corrections under Jay Inslee’s incompetent leadership

As Senator Mike Padden (R-Spokane Valley) pointed out earlier this month, “Instead of working to correct these issues, Governor Inslee has been putting up roadblocks and actively halting the progress of those of us who are offering solutions.” Republican state leaders are determined to hold Inslee accountable.

Former Bothell Mayor Joshua Freed – a Republican – announced his candidacy for Washington state governor

If elected, Freed promises to clean up Jay Inslee’s mess by tackling problems the governor refuses to address. Specifically, Freed points to the growing homelessness stressing our cities, a dangerous lack of government transparency, and Democrats’ relentless push for a state income tax.

The Washington State Supreme Court ruled unanimously to reverse an appeals court decision that blocked a 2015 public records request placed by the Freedom Foundation

The Freedom Foundation’s request sought records concerning union organization efforts by several University of Washington’s faculty members. Justice Debra Stephens noted, “The Court of Appeals erred by applying the ‘scope of employment’ test to determine whether the records at issue in this case…” Their victory is a strong rebuke of powerful government employee unions seeking to work in secrecy.

Seattle’s City Council cannot merely watch as other far-left city councils enact extreme leftist legislation – it must respond in kind

They're dopes.

When Berkley, California banned natural-gas lines from new homes, Seattle Councilmember Mike O’Brien came up with a plan of his own. O’Brien plans to introduce legislation that would prohibit natural gas in new buildings in Seattle. O’Brien’s legislation comes as the council considers another proposal to tax home-heating oil.

IRONY ALERT:  O’Brien admitted he has natural gas in his house because it is really great for cooking. And on the faux compassion front, heating oil is used disproportionately by the poorer and elderly in older houses.  So the council will jack up heating costs on those least likely to be able to afford it so they can virtue signal to their extreme political allies.

Is income tax coming to Washington state anyhow?

Proponents for a state income tax are one step closer to their goal as they continue to attempt to create new taxes on income.

On July 15, the Washington State Court of Appeals issued its ruling on whether the city of Seattle has the authority to impose a local income tax. While the court did rule Seattle's graduated income tax was unconstitutional because it was not applied uniformly.

The court also invalidated a 35-year old state law passed by the Legislature that prohibited local governments from imposing an income tax.  The court stated the law had violated a constitutional rule that “no bill shall embrace more than one subject.”

Pending an appeal to the state Supreme Court, this means that certain local governments now have the green light to impose a flat income tax. However, the city of Seattle is expected to take the issue to the Washington State Supreme Court to request it overturns previous rulings on the unconstitutionality of income taxes. Should the court overturn the ruling, a statewide income tax could become constitutional.

I can tell you members of the House Republican Caucus are already working on legislation to address the court's ruling and prevent a local income tax. For more background on the income tax battle, click here.

Voters have rejected a statewide income tax 10 times since the Washington State Supreme Court overturned Initiative 69 in 1933, the latest being in 2010 when the proposed income tax measure failed in all 39 counties with 64 percent voting “no.”

Laurie Jinkins

Keep in mind, some in the Legislature continue to push a capital gains tax. In fact, the prime sponsor of the bill is new House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-27th district). It is possible we could end up seeing this proposal again in the upcoming session.

This ties directly into the income tax debate as the IRS has stated a capital gains tax is an income tax. This op-ed from the Tax Foundation explains why capital gains taxes are income taxes.

Rather than continue to increase taxes and spending, the Legislature would be better served to establish priorities, reduce spending and focus on the services and issues that impact the majority of our citizens.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do you still think the leftists in state government plan 'sensible taxation'?  Consider what the left enacted already during the 2019 Spring session.

	Type of tax	bill number	cost of new tax
	New payroll taxes	HB 1087	$8,036,110,541
	New property taxes	SB 5313	8,661,000,000
	New fuel taxes	SB 5993	2,760,000,000
	New taxes on bank customers	HB 2167	1,035,700,000
	New property sales taxes	SB 5998	1,747,300,000
	New taxes on border business customers	SB 5997	311,759,000
	New taxes on travel agent customers	SB 6004	30,100,000
	New taxes on vaping customers	HB 1873	207,135,000
	New taxes on bank customers	SB 6016	367,900,000
	New taxes on online buyers	SB 5581	1,039,261,000
	New taxes on service business customers	SB 2158	3,097,600,000
	New property taxes	SB 5313	8,661,000,000
	Total cost of newly enacted taxes		$27,293,865,541

$27 Billion in new taxation will start the shut down of the state economy.  Washington state's population in 2019 is estimated at 7,666,343 (World Population Review).  That makes 2019's new taxes equal to  $3,560.22 per person, man, woman and child.   Screw that.

Sign the initiative I-1082, the Term Limits on Taxes Initiative. Then vote "yes" this November. I-1082 expires this year’s new taxes and expires future new taxes after one year.  Effectively, I-1082 puts a time limit on tax increases when the Legislature takes our money without asking permission.  (Under I-1082, the legislature can ask to make new taxes permanent by referendum...  then the people can vote to keep new taxes.  In that case, the new taxes would become permanent.)

If keeping tax increases under control seems like a good idea, then you can download a copy of the petition here, and print it up.  The petition, by law, must be printed on 11″x17″ paper.

We need Public-service unions to bargain in the open

Please open the closed door, eliminate the elitist approach.

The Seattle Education Association recently threatened a strike after getting a 10.5 percent pay raise last year. The Kennewick teachers union, likewise, has disrupted the start of school for children with its pay demands. Meanwhile, teachers in Toutle Lake School District have blocked the state’s “paramount duty” to education children because of their pay demands this year despite a 17 percent raise last year.

Teachers are also threatening a strike against the families of Ellensburg and LaCenter.
What do they want? How does it impact other services the districts provide? What other tradeoffs are offered at the bargaining table?

Individuals, families, taxpayers, other district employees and even union members commonly do not know given the absurd custom of making these critical budget-busting decisions in behind closed doors.

But bargaining reaches beyond just salaries and budget priorities.

The Seattle Education Association has previously negotiated in favor of more than 100 individuals receiving a $2,500 stipend to be part of some schools’ “Racial Equity Teams.” Other districts negotiate away the ability of the district to get community volunteer help with projects or activities.

Some negotiate to add hurdles to parent visits to their children’s classrooms.

Any school board could enlist the public to help consider the full ramifications of unreasonable bargaining table demands by adopting a transparency policy to allow the observation, livestreaming or immediate document disclosure of proceedings.

In the Pullman School District, WEA and board representatives have negotiated their teachers’ union contract in the open, and the sky didn’t fall.

In Oregon, where observed bargaining is the law, the school directors’ association representative reports that openness starts bargaining closer to compromise since extremes and stalling tactics are harder to explain to the public.

Further, the union tactic of deceiving the public about the elements of dispute and vilifying a district leadership team are removed by adding transparency – any bad actors on the management team are on display, but so are misstatements by the union.

The Washington Education Association has made opposition to a transparency policy a litmus test for its support of school board candidates. In this election cycle, half of the school board positions in the state are up for election.

Among the questions to ask school board candidates is what they think about permitting observed or livestreamed bargaining.

Source for this article is the Freedom Foundation

News this week in Olympia

Sen. Barbara Bailey announced her retirement from the State Senate after 16 years of service

Senator Barbara Bailey (R-Oak Harbor) announced her retirement from the State Senate in a letter to Gov. Jay Inslee on August 16. Sen. Bailey served in the Legislature for 16 years in both the House and the Senate. She will officially step down on September 30.

In her letter to Gov. Inslee, she said that she is hoping to spend more quality time with her family and church and work with her husband on projects and ventures important to them.

Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce director to seek appointment to the State Senate

Christine Cribb, the Executive Director of the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce announced that she intends to seek the appointment to the State Senate upon Sen. Bailey’s retirement on September 30.  She says she was encouraged to seek the appointment by Sen. Bailey.

Cribb has led the Oak Harbor chamber for five years and previously served on the Oak Harbor school board. The Republican PCOs in Island, Skagit, and Snohomish counties will choose three people to be submitted to the Island and Skagit county commissioners and the Snohomish County Council who will officially appoint someone to fill the seat. That person will face Democrat Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson, among other potential challengers, in the 2020 election.

Gov. Jay Inslee ends his vanity presidential run and announces he will seek a third term as governor

After failing to get any traction in his vanity run for president, Gov. Inslee finally threw in the towel telling MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, “It’s become clear I’m not going to be carrying the ball — I’m not going to be president, so I’m withdrawing tonight from the race.”

He returned home to Washington and within hours announced his intention to run for a third term as governor. By running again he also effectively ended the campaigns or potential campaigns of scores of Democrats who were lining up to run to succeed him or fill vacancies created by those who would.

"Thank you, Gov. Inslee, but it’s time to let others govern"

The Seattle Times editorial board says that Gov. Inslee should reconsider his decision to run for a nearly unprecedented third term as governor. The noted, “If Inslee relinquished the scepter, it would have a cascading effect on the political organization chart. The current state attorney general, lands commissioner and King County executive all would be gubernatorial candidates. That would spur healthy competition, new policy debates and a system refresh at multiple levels of government.”

As evidenced by his vanity run for the White House, this isn’t about the party but about Inslee himself. They ended by thanking Inslee for his service but saying, “but now it’s time to give others a turn.”

Sen. Mark Schoesler encourages Washingtonians to attend their local fairs

Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler penned a piece for the Washington AG Network encouraging people to attend their local fairs.

Schoesler, a wheat farmer himself, says, “Fairs are part of our rich agricultural heritage, with great entertainment and learning opportunities that are good for the entire family.” He notes that while fairs are always a fun time, they also educate attendees about farming and ranching.

The right of the people to know - a reflection

"The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created."

That text is from the Washington State Open Public Meetings Act (RCW42.30.010).  The people must know what government is doing in order to have a informed and fruitful discussion.  If the people are kept in the dark, the government officials are trying to usurp the people's sovereignty and should face a punishment.  This is essential in order to keep democracy.

This principle of openness should be expanded to all government function.  That might cost more, but it will help us stay in control of our corporate government.


The OPMA was enacted in 1971.  Washington State was a lot more of a democratic republic in those days.  These days are darker, with special interests in Olympia in control of much of our affairs and our lives.

More firearm restrictions go into effect

On July 28^th, the following anti-gun bills will go into effect in Washington State:

House Bill 1786 will expand firearm seizures to a wider range of protective orders with little to no due process, and in some cases, will remove a judge’s discretion as to whether to impose firearm restrictions upon respondents of protective orders.

House Bill 1225 will require law-enforcement to seize firearms and ammunition when they are called to the scene of an alleged domestic violence incident and hold them for at least five business days.  This will unfortunately result in property being confiscated without due process and subject citizens to bureaucratic red tape to get their property returned.

Senate Bill 5027 will expand Washington’s existing Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO).  It will affirm that the ERPO can be issued against minors, while also infringing upon the self-defense rights of law-abiding parents or others in the household without due process. 

Senate Bill 5181 will suspend Second Amendment rights without due process for six months from individuals who are admitted for a 72-hour mental health evaluation, but who are not subsequently involuntarily committed.

Fortunately, one pro-Second Amendment bill will also go into effect on the 28^th:

House Bill 1934 will allow military members who are stationed or assigned out-of-state to renew their CPL by mail. 

Initiative 1082 - citizens' right to approve new taxes

Initiative 1082 is a proposal to let the citizens of the state to review and rescind new tax burdens the legislature adds.   Normally, the legislature should exercise restraint when adding to the burden the people bear, but the current legislature went ape enacting new taxes.  Initiative 1082 will allow the people to  restrain tax crazed legislatures.

Impolite endorses Initiative 1082 as a modest restraint on the state government.  The current increase in taxation -- $27 Billion -- is slightly nuts, especially given the state budget was already in balance without the tax hikes.  The Democratic Party controlled legislature increased taxes apparently to increase pressure on the citizens and no other reason.

This November, you'll see 12 "Tax Advisories" on the ballot.  The legislature got scared when they began to encounter citizen resistance to the tax burden increase.  So they allowed that they would take advice on the tax increases.  (This is required by law, but there was some doubt whether it would actually happen.  We know now.
Be sure to sign I-1082 when you get the chance.  Download a copy and circulate it to your friends.  We must stop this tax-madness.

I-1082 download https://permanentoffense.com/petition-download/

I 1648 will not be on the ballot

Initiative 1648, the Term Limits on New Taxes, fell short of the the required number of signatures to qualify for the next ballot.  The most likely reason is the petition drive was given only 4 weeks to gather signatures.

As things stand now, $27 billion in new taxes will fall on the citizens of Washington State starting this year.  If you wish to avoid this disaster, you have two options:  Flee the state, or; Be sure the tax-wild Democrat majority does not stay in power in state government.

Tim Eyman made the following state (by email):

"At 4:41pm, we announced that 1648 had fallen short (the signature count was a little over 198,000 ... but that number didn't include an additional 4300 signatures that were hand-delivered after that).  With 259K valid signatures required, a little over 202K wasn't enough.  I'm not gonna sugar-coat it -- it's a gut punch. So many heroic people put forth a tremendous amount of effort for this extraordinary initiative and it's heartbreaking we didn't make it."

Eyman added:
*  if we had more time, it would've qualified.
*  if we had more money, it would've qualified.
*  if we had qualified it, voters would've passed it by a huge margin.
*  the seeds of later victory were sown by this campaign.


See also Initiative 1082 - citizens' right to approve new taxes, which is son-of-1648, sort of, and still viable.

New gun control restrictions in Washington State

Initiative 1639 was enacted by popular vote in the last general election.   Under I-1639, starting July 1st, prospective purchasers of semi-automatic rifles are required to submit:

• To have completed a specific, I-1639 compliant, firearm training course within the previous five years,
• To transfer of semi-automatic rifles are delayed for ten business days before the buyer or recipient may take possession
• To register new acquired semi-automatic rifles in the existing handgun registration data base.
• To pay a fee of $18 to the Department of Licensing to process transfer of semi auto to buyers or recipients.

Firearm owners will also be required to store firearms locked up per state standards or potentially face criminal liability if they are accessed and used in an illegal act.  State secure storage requirements are still unclear.

House Bill 1465 (as signed) was enacted by the authoritarian movement in Olympia.  It also went into effect July 1st.

It will require state Concealed Pistol License (CPL) holders to undergo a state background check on handgun purchases.

This new requirement is because the FBI is no longer going to conduct National Instant Checks (NICS) for the state.  Background check will be added to teh pistol data base.

~~~~~~~~

To read the whole state law regulating private firearms (RCW 9.41) -- click here

New state lead regulations to target shooting ranges

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries Division of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH) has released an updated draft of the lead rules they originally released last year following stakeholder meetings.  These proposed regulations will impose complicated and expensive burdens on shooting ranges and retailers, potentially making it difficult for some to continue operations.  DOSH will be holding additional stakeholder meetings to discuss these proposed regulations.  Shooting ranges are vital to the safe practice and exercise of our constitutionally protected Second Amendment right to self-defense, and maintaining access to shooting ranges is a top priority for the 5.5 million member National Rifle Association.

Existing federal and state law already provides extensive regulation of lead in the workplace.  In addition to the federal requirements under the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Washington also has regulations in place regarding workplace lead exposure and has enforced these regulations through inspections and citations. This draft regulation proposes new and much more demanding requirements that significantly exceed compliance under existing law without providing any clarification on their need.  Furthermore, there have been no economic impact studies on the effect these regulations will have on small businesses.

From the NRA Institute for Legislative Action.  Get more information at nraila.org

Public Hearing June 4th on I-1639 Rifle Transfer Fee

On June 4^th, the Department of Licensing will be holding a public hearing to set the fee that will be charged on all sales and transfers of semi-automatic rifles when the remaining provisions of I-1639 go into effect on July 1^st.  Please click “Take Action” to submit a comment to the Department of Licensing asking that they keep the fee as low as possible.

Language in I-1639 allows DOL to charge a fee not to exceed $25 on all transfers in order to offset the administrative costs associated with the additional background check requirements.  This fee is to be collected by firearm dealers processing transfers to be remitted to DOL and is separate from any other transfer fees that dealers may charge.  Along with the mandatory training requirements, I-1639 could easily double the cost to transfer semi-automatic rifles

Again, please click “Take Action” to submit a comment to the Department of Licensing asking that they keep the fee as low as possible.  In addition, if you wish to attend the public hearing, information may be found here and below.

June 4^th at 1:30PM in the Columbia Room
Washington State Capitol Building
416 Sid Snyder Ave SW
Olympia, WA 98504

New Property Tax for WEA Wage Increases, Not Student Services

Gov. Jay Inslee signed SB 5313 into law, permitting your local school district to increase property taxes by another $1 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Recall that the state already increased your property taxes to fund education including teacher salaries. This new tax is an increase of  between $355 and $590 million in addition to other tax increases adopted this year.

The long game WEA started playing a few years ago has paid off. Under the rules it plays by, the union gets two property tax increases to fund employee raises while families’ school services are essentially unchanged or worse than before (So much for the WEA being about your children). Many districts are laying off teachers to increase class sizes, cutting levy-funded services and diverting funds from student materials to the union contract.

WEA works to increase the portion of education funding earmarked for salary and benefits of members even if it means districts must cut other services. WEA also seeks any other tax increase possible to fund that agenda even if it results in taxing the poor to give raises to those earning already-comfortable wages.

Beginning last spring, WEA pushed a deception that all new education funding was for educator raises and camouflaged the reality that levy-funded salary enhancement was ending. Union leaders bludgeoned districts into handing out large, unsustainable raises.

WEA then advocated a second property tax increase to bail out over-burdened districts.
As you have school board candidates seeking your vote, be sure to ask them if they support increasing property taxes to fund raises for some school employees.

One silver lining is the laws districts ignored when giving unfunded raises will continue to be enforced, and the state auditor is permitted to reduce property tax levies for districts that illegally use enrichment levy money on union-sought extra raises.

Whether these provisions will actually be interpreted to end WEA’s ability to cannibalize services remains to be seen. The burden to enforce rests with Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal and State Auditor Patrice McCarthy — both of whom owe their offices to union donations to their election campaigns.

Reprinted in its entirety from the Freedom Foundation