Olympia weekly report

 Inslee lifts some restrictions on private construction work

Jay Inslee will lift some restrictions on construction work amid the COVID-19 lockdown. Provided job sites meet safety standards as outlined in a detailed 30-point safety plan, construction projects may resume.

The lift comes after developers and lawmakers mounted pressure on Inslee to label private construction as essential projects. Republican lawmakers warned of the consequences of stopping private construction, including losing loans or bearing the burden of extra rent or mortgage fees if unable to move when planned.

Look at Jay Inslee's record:   Inslee picked "essential" winners and "non-essential" losers during the Jay Inslee lockdown.  Its about politics, not science.

State government construction is okay, private construction projects are not.
Boeing is okay.  Hairdressers are not.
Wal-Mart is allowed.  Gun stores are not.
Debt collectors are juist fine.  But restaurant workers are not.

If your business gave money to him, you were okay. If your group hadn't given money to him, you were not.

State Supreme Court rejects lawsuit seeking early prison release

The Washington State Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit seeking to force the release of thousands of prison inmates amid COVID-19. The court ruled – in a 5-4 decision – that an emergency petition did not prove the state is “failing in its duties to incarcerated people.”

The decision will not impact the early release of 1,100 prisoners, as authorized by Jay Inslee. All members of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus joined together to demand Inslee reverse his earlier decision to release felons and asked that he consider alternate options.
       
Inslee looks to resume elective surgeries

If the data for COVID-19 continues to look favorable, elective surgeries and some outdoor recreation could resume – according to Jay Inslee.

The statement comes after Republican State Sen. Randi Becker (Eatonville) requested Inslee to clarify his order halting non-urgent medical and dental procedures during COVID-19. Inslee stated that some restrictions will likely to stay in place longer than May 4.
       
Reykdal eliminates failing grades in new guidelines

High school and middle school students cannot receive “F” grades according to new grading guidelines released by Washington State Superintendent Chris Reykdal this week. The new guidelines are supposed to reflect “what students know” rather than homework and worksheets, according to Reykdal.

The new grading systems state that “districts may choose to adopt an A-D, A-C, A-B, or even A-only system with an incomplete option, but there will be no failing grades.”

Olympia weekly report 20200419

GOP leaders propose a plan to reopen state economy

Washington state Republican lawmakers are leading the way for reopening Washington’s economy amid COVID-19 with a new plan, released on Friday. In the more immediate term, Republicans call for the reopening of low-risk industries – including private construction, auto dealers and solo landscapers. The 16-point plan focuses on helping small businesses reopen, including cutting Business & Occupation (B&O) taxes, implementing a sales-tax holiday for retail stores, and postponing inflation-adjusted minimum-wage hikes scheduled for 2021.

Inslee must produce a plan to reopen state economy

The Washington Policy Center’s Paul Guppy argues Jay Inslee must inform the public of a plan for re-opening Washington State’s economy so that families and business owners prepare for the future. As the reported new cases continue to moderate and public officials revise the number of predicted COVID-19 deaths downward, now is the time to “start planning gradual steps to let people go back to work, consistent with standards of public health.” A first key step should be allowing construction work to progress – Inslee continues to deny recognition of private-sector construction as an “essential service.”

Thousands protest Inslee's shutdown.  KIRO news item 
       
Republicans demand alternatives to early release of prison inmates

Jay Inslee plans to release over 1,100 inmates in the state prison system early due to COVID-19. In response, all members of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus are demanding reconsideration. Republicans expressed concerns over Inslee suspending all notification of victim requirements. Republicans also noted that alternative measures could be taken for the safety of inmates and Department of Corrections employees, including placing inmates on work release or moving them to less-crowded facilities.
       
Inslee must clarify ban on non-urgent medical procedure orders

Republican State Sen. Randi Becker (Eatonville) is asking Jay Inslee to clarify his order halting non-urgent medical and dental procedures during COVID-19. Becker points out that many primary care and dental clinics have shut down, interpreting the order as a ban on conducting routine appointments. Becker argues the unclear order places people in danger – suspicious lumps or moles must be examined by a doctor in a timely manner.

Olympia weekly report 20200407

State Supreme Court refuses Seattle tax case

The Washington State Supreme Court declined to hear arguments in Seattle’s income tax case. The Court’s decision kills Seattle’s attempt to levy a 2.25% tax on incomes over $250,000.

However, due to a shocking appeals court decision, it also means any city in Washington can levy a flat tax – uniform across all income brackets. That reality makes it more important than ever for cities to pass local bans on income taxes. 

Senate Democrats have continuously pushed schemes like this as tools to get the courts to reconsider their ban on general income taxes on all of us.

Inslee issues budget cuts, doesn’t go far enough

Gov. Jay Inslee cut approximately $235 million in state spending over the next 15 months. He also issued various cuts to programs from the 2019-21 Supplemental Operating Budget, amounting to about $210 million for the next two-year budget (if programs are not re-instated during the next legislative session). 

The cuts come after Democrat-orgy passed unprecedented spending during the 2020 legislative session.

Republican State Senator John Braun urged Inslee to do more, pointing out the prudence of vetoing all new spending passed by Democrats that does not support COVID-19 response to prepare for future recovery costs.

Some property taxpayers to receive extension

King, Pierce and Snohomish County extended property tax deadlines to June 1st, 2020. Spokane County extended the due date to June 15. The extensions impact homeowners who property taxes directly, not as part of the regular monthly mortgage payment – there is no relief for the latter.

The relief for some – but not all – homeowners comes as the burden of property taxes has increased after Senate Democrats increased them to please union bosses to get more of your money to them.

State Supreme Court to decide on $30-tab injunction

The Washington State Supreme Court will take up the issue of whether or not to lift an emergency injunction on I-976 – the $30 car-tab – at the end of April. Multiple Democrat legal actions against the initiative have resulted in the voter-approved measure not yet taking effect.

In particular, Senate Democrats have colluded with Sound Transit to burden King, Pierce, and Snohomish County drivers with out-of-control car-tab fees.  Whether or not they will feel relief lies in the hands of the state Supreme Court.
 

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