Olympia this week

The Columbian editorial board blasts Inslee for sidelining state legislators (The Columbian) 

The Columbian editorial board – once again – called on Inslee to call a special session in the wake of his latest restrictions that threaten the survival of small businesses across our state.

The editorial board writes that, since March, Inslee has “left 147 elected legislators on the sidelines, eschewing input and limiting the viewpoints that contribute to such decisions.” 

While the emergency orders were understandable at the beginning of the pandemic when little was known of the virus, Inslee’s insistence on one-man governing is inexcusable. 

Following the announcement of his latest restrictions, Inslee lamented that “all of us would like to have had the financial aspects of this totally resolved when we announced this today.” But they were not – because he refuses to call a special session. The fact that state leaders do not have the “financial aspects” worked out is –as described by the Columbian – “unconscionable.”
       
Families bear the steep costs of Inslee’s failed leadership  (Washington Policy Center)

Jay Inslee’s poor leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic began with the state’s failure to gather information about the full impact of the illness, making it impossible for the state to “take a more targeted and effective approach.” 

Unfortunately, as the Washington Policy Center’s Todd Myers writes, “the cost of that failure is now being paid by families.” Inslee dealt with the COVID-19 with massive shutdowns and restrictions – essentially, forcing people to remain in their homes and businesses to close. 

Myers writes, “It is easy to reduce the spread of the coronavirus if the cost to people and the economy is ignored.” 

Inslee’s easy solution to a complex problem inflicted heavy damage on people and businesses. As a result, Washington state now suffers from the 5th highest rate of business closures in the nation. 

Given the latest round of restrictions on small businesses and his continued refusal to call a special session, Inslee has not learned a lesson from his failed leadership.  Inslee should be recalled.
       
The Seattle Times editorial board: Focus on reopening schools  (Seattle Times)

“Strong state leadership on reopening schools safely is crucial in this moment. Right now,” writes the Seattle Times editorial board. 

The new piece points out the failures of remote learning to educate children across our state and calls on in-person learning as soon as possible. Our kids are struggling, and families cannot continue sacrificing staying home from work. 

Science is on the side of reopening schools – evidence shows elementary school classrooms “pose no greater threat of spreading this virus than the surrounding communities.” Unfortunately, state leaders have failed to take action. 

Jay Inslee’s failure to call a special session has meant lawmakers cannot push solutions like state-level legislation to establish reopening thresholds proposed by Republican Sen. John Braun.
       
Seattle passes 2021 budget, defunds police  (My Northwest)

The Seattle City Council passed its 2021 budget with the inclusion of massive cuts to the Seattle Police Department (SPD). Mayor Jenny Durkan promised to sign the new budget next week. The SPD will face a 20% reduction to their already stretched budget. 

For years, the SPD has faced staffing and resource shortages, limiting police responses to emergency calls and crimes.   With the record police officers leaving Seattle (and projections more officers will leave), Seattle Democrats severely jeopardized the safety of Seattle residents and surrounding areas. 

Yet, they are celebrating their “achievement.” Socialist Councilmember Kshama Sawant praised the “real testament to the power of that [defund the police] movement” that led Seattle Democrats’ commitment to “defunding the police by 50 percent.”
 

Washington Health Department finally agrees to settle Chelan Slidewaters appeal

On Nov. 24, with temperatures in Chelan, Wash., hovering between a high of 44 degrees and a low of 25, Washington’s Department of Health finally saw fit to drop its quest to make an example of Slidewaters.

The agency agreed to a settlement, negotiated by the Freedom Foundation, under which it would drop its original order, which carried with it the threat of hefty fines and revocation of the popular water park’s water recreation operating permits (yes, the Department of Health evidently thinks you can transmit COVID-19 through the water).

In return, Slidewaters agreed to drop its appeal of that order.

The rest of the press release is at (The Freedom Foundation)  

 

Olympia Weekly

Inslee slams responsible calls for special session following new restrictions (My Northwest)

Jay Inslee’s new COVID-19 lockdown mandates will deliver another blow to small businesses and families – but he refuses to develop the plans needed to deal with the repercussions.

Once again, Republican lawmakers called on Inslee to convene a special session. Inslee’s response was shocking. He said there is “no reason for that because he hasn’t heard anything specific coming from the Republicans to warrant a special session.”

As Rep. Drew MacEwen (R-Union) told KTTH’s Jason Rantz, Republican lawmakers have been calling for a special session since June.  Lawmakers have proposed months-worth of proposals – all of which Inslee continues to ignore.

Inslee “prefers to govern alone [speak of the tyrant],” as MacEwen told Rantz.  That’s especially unfortunate as his actions prove he is distanced from the reality of families and businesses that are struggling and have no idea how they’re going to survive.

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Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce: Inslee “out of touch”  (Yakima Herald)

Jay Inslee’s latest COVID-19 shutdown order will severely impact small businesses – that reality prompted widespread criticism.

Verlynn Best, Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, slammed Inslee as someone with “no clue what it takes to run a small business” and said his “shutdown wasn’t thought through.” Pointing to businesses owners – like restaurants and breweries – worried about the inventory they recently ordered going bad, Best said Inslee was “out-of-touch” and warned many businesses would not be able to survive the latest rounds of restrictions.

Inslee’s own administration admits that “uncertainty remains in contact tracing outbreaks” but insists that COVID-19 transmission occurs indoors where “people are unmasked, not that far apart and spend a lot of time together.”

But as Best points out, impacted businesses meet all safety guidelines, including masks, social distancing and providing hand sanitizing stations. Inslee lack of a plan adds to the uncertainty – businesses cannot trust his administration to provide stability.

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Emergencies lasting 60+ days should require special sessions (Washington Policy)  

Jay Inslee declared an emergency as a result from COVID-19 more than 260 days ago.

Inslee has been a one-man governing authority for nearly nine months, declaring emergency orders and forcing economic restrictions.

Inslee’s recent restrictions – which will severely harm small businesses and families – is just the latest example.

While state legislatures across the nation have met to deal with the repercussions of shutdowns, Inslee continues to refuse calls by Republicans lawmakers – and some Democrats – to convene a special session.

Inslee has taken over state government without any regard for the state legislature.

The Washington Policy Center’s Jason Mercier believes state lawmakers must adopt a law similar to that of states like Wisconsin which demands the involvement of the state legislature to extend a state of emergency issued by a governor lasting longer than 60 days.

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Will Jay Inslee abandon Washington state for the national stage?  (KREM2)

Despite denying his interest in joining a Biden Administration while campaigning for a rare third term as governor, speculation over Jay Inslee leaving for a national position persists.

According to national news sources, Joe Biden’s team is considering Inslee for positions like Secretary of the Interior, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Secretary of Energy.

If Inslee does break his campaign promise and leaves for a national position, newly elected Lt. Governor Denny Heck would step up as acting governor. Heck would serve in the position until a special election takes place in November 2021.

In any event, Inslee would leave a mess of his own creation – with small businesses struggling to survive.  If Biden calls Inslee, our nation will experience how  our state has been screwed.

Freedom Foundation response to newer, tougher COVID restrictions in Washington, Oregon, and California

“The Freedom Foundation was appalled to learn about our governors’ new shutdown mandates in [the states of] Washington, Oregon and California. To think that families are being forced to spend Thanksgivings apart due to a government mandate is unimaginable in the United States. 

Not surprisingly, Governors Inslee, Brown and Newsom made no mention of their plans while they were running for office.  Dictators can’t be bothered with trifling details like telling the truth.”

“Our West Coast governors and their government bureaucrats have never missed a paycheck because of government shutdowns. The worst they have to contend with is being allowed to work from home. Meanwhile, thousands of small businesses and their employees have taken a severe hit to their finances and freedoms. This disconnect is unconscionable.”

“The Freedom Foundation will continue to fight our West Coast governors’ unlawful lockdown orders. In their minds, this has never been about health and safety. All they care about is power, and they’re not above fear-mongering to obtain more of it.”

--  Freedom Foundation

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Related article -- "West Coast Governors’ Response to COVID ‘Spike’ Is the Definition of Insanity"

Olympia report this week.

State Senate to hold virtual meetings during the 2021 legislative session (KING 5)

The Capitol building will remain closed to the public and lobbyists during the 2021 legislative session set to begin January 11th. 

Members of the state Senate will do their work during the 105-day session through both virtual meetings and on-site votes. The public will have an option to join committee hearings via Zoom. 

Democrats plan to limit the public’s ability to provide remote testimony for hearings. Committee chairs – with Democrats in complete control – have the power to decide who is allowed to speak during hearings and for how long. 

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Does Jay Inslee have dreams of a position with a Biden administration?  (Seattle Times)

While running for a rare third term as governor, Jay Inslee repeatedly insisted that he is not interested in a top position in a Joe Biden administration. 

Despite his denials, speculations are still high that Inslee is – in fact – angling for a new job as an environmental Cabinet post or White House advisor. 

Maggie Thomas – an advisor for Inslee’s failed presidential bid – is part of the Biden transition team in charge of an agency-review team for the Department of Interior. If Inslee is appointed to the position, it will be a win for the Left’s influence on an incoming Biden administration. 

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Inslee fails to reduce CO2 emissions on par with national standards (Washington Policy Center)

New numbers released as part of the state’s draft 2021 Energy Strategy relieve that Washington state’s 2018 greenhouse gas emissions saw an increase of 1.4% from 2017. 

The 2018 emissions increased to 98.9 million metric tons (MMT) CO2. The numbers are part of a steady increase.  To be exact, Washington’s CO2 emissions increased nearly 8 percent since 2012. 

Washington’s per-capita emissions decreased by a mere one percent between 2012 and 2018. Placed in perspective, per-capita CO2 emissions fell 5 percent across the entire USA from 2012 and 2017.

Despite running for president as the climate change candidate and making green policies his top priority, Jay Inslee has failed to cut CO2 emissions. The question remains whether or not he will “fail up” and receive an environmental appointment as part of Biden’s administration. 

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Internal documents reveal WA Attorney General “improperly” influences initiative titles (WA Asians for Equality)

WA Asians For Equality – an advocacy group fighting for equality for Asian Americans in Washington State – released internal documents charging that the Washington State Assistant Attorney General “knowingly and improperly re-wrote a ballot title to mollify a ‘friendly’ initiative sponsor with political connections, in violation of a ruling by a judge, while also ignoring a request for fair treatment from Asian Americans.” 

The documents make clear that the WA Attorney General’s Office exerted improper influence on determining initiative titles.

The revelations have led to an investigation by WA Senate Republicans into legislative fixes.
 

Inslee's new COVID restrictions

Sunday morning 

The biggest impact will be the closure of indoor dining at restaurants and bars. Outdoor dining and to-go service is permitted. Outdoor dining must follow the outdoor dining restriction. Table size limited to 5 for outdoor dining. These restaurant restrictions go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Other restrictions are:

• In-store retail limited to 25% indoor occupancy and must close any common/congregate non-food-related seating areas. Food court indoor seating is closed.
• Indoor social gatherings from people outside your household are prohibited and outdoor social gatherings should be limited to 5 people outside your household.
• Fitness facilities and gyms are indoor operations are closed . Outdoor fitness classes may still occur but they are limited by the outdoor gathering restrictions.
• Wedding and funerals receptions are prohibited. Ceremonies are limited to no more than 30 people.
• All retail activities and business meetings are prohibited. Only professional training and testing that cannot be performed remotely is allowed. Occupancy in each meeting room is limited to 25% or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
• Movie theaters are closed for indoor service. Drive-in movie theaters are still permitted and must follow the current drive-in movie theater guidance.
• Of course, religion is restricted.  Religious services will be limited to 25% indoor occupancy & no more than 200 people, whichever is fewer. No choir, band, or ensemble shall perform during the service.
• Museums/Zoos/Aquariums are closed.

 No mention is made of any relief for people whose employment or incomes will be affected.

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Impolite notes that Governor Inslee has no constitutional authority to impose any part of this proclamation's restrictions -- the Washington State legislature never gave him the authority.  The Washington State Constitution reacquires the legislature specify an emergency and define in general what power it is delegating to the governor.  (Washington State Constitution)

It is possible for the governor to kinda redeem himself by calling the legislature into special session.  The legislature could virtually meet via Zoom to handle the problem, if they take their constitutional responsibility seriously.

No doubt that governor will punish restaurants, businesses, churches, and so on with revocations of license to operate or occupy their buildings.  These new= acts will be illegal and will garner the state of Washington with more lawsuits (Washington state is being sued for Inslee's clumsy, illegal, 'no-exceptions' free rent edict, among others).  

Makes you wonder is Mr Inslee will personally pay for any of his illegal actions.

Will transparency in government ever win?

A Spokane appeals court judge on Sept. 18 issued what should have been a decisive ruling in Lincoln County’s four-year struggle to open contract talks between the commissioners and unions representing county employees to public scrutiny.

But because of Washington’s convoluted labor laws, it didn’t feel much like a victory.

On paper, the court sided with Lincoln County, its taxpayers and the Freedom Foundation, concluding that the Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) erred when it ruled previously that when the parties involved in collective bargaining come to an impasse over a “permissive subject” of bargaining, they must return to the status quo.

Unfortunately, the court offered no remedy, sending the case back to PERC.

And on go the perpetual legal proceedings.

In labor law, the term “permissive subject” refers to matters not directly related to the work. That is, these subjects fall outside of wages, hours and working conditions and generally are matters that relate to the nature and direction of the business/industry or relate to the internal union affairs.

And in collective bargaining, it’s considered an unfair labor practice to come to an impasse over a “permissive” subject of bargaining and use that impasse in bad faith to refuse to bargain over wages, hours and working conditions.

Whether contract negotiations in the public sector happen in the open or behind closed doors, for example, is considered a permissive subject, and the union representing workers can’t force the government to negotiate in private.

By the same token, the county can force the union to negotiate in public only if it can show that openness is a core function of government.

If a permissive subject is, by definition, not required to be negotiated — and neither side has the authority to make a determining decision about the process — you have a problem.

That’s why observers of the ongoing drama in tiny Lincoln County, Wash., were holding their breath as we waited for clarity after oral arguments were heard on Sept 18.

Would the court side with the county, the taxpayers and the Freedom Foundation, making it clear the community and its democratically elected representatives have the managerial right to negotiate publicly with taxpayers’ money?  That is, in a republican form of government, does the relationship between elected officials and the citizens who voted them to hold official positions go to the core of representative government, justifying the elected officials’ managerial control over whether the citizens should be able to see for themselves how their taxes were being spent?

Or would the court agree with Teamsters Local 690, giving a private special interest group the power to force elected officials to negotiate away our taxes while meeting in secret?

Finally, four years into a legal battle over public employee union collective bargaining transparency, the Division III of the Washington State Court of Appeals on Nov. 3 issued a ruling.

Considering the county failed to raise taxes several times and was pushing for transparency to earn the support of the public to increase revenue, it was disappointing to learn the court does not believe the authority of elected officials to require public transparency regarding taxpayers money to be “at the core of entrepreneurial control.”

Rather than concluding the public has every right to know how its tax dollars are being negotiated away and requiring negotiations be open to scrutiny, the ruling suggested bargaining sessions could still be conducted in private and either side could simply disclose after each one what happened.

Wait, what?

First of all, how many taxpayers trust elected officials on their word alone? You might have voted for someone, and you might even count on them, but there is nothing quite like verification to confirm your trust.

More importantly, what happens when the union comes out of the very same bargaining session with a completely different version of which side was unreasonable?

This isn’t idle speculation. It happens every day in both private- and public-sector contract talks.

But the real problem with the court’s ruling is that it still does not clarify who is responsible for an unfair labor practice if they insist on open or closed meetings.

(Freedom Foundation)

Olympia post election report

Washington at risk of losing more businesses (read: employers)  (Herald Net)

Boeing’s decision to move assembly of the 787 Dreamliner from Everett to South Carolina may only be the last company to leave if Democrats fail to reform their tax and regulation policies. The Democrat state legislature continually push tax increases that heavily impact businesses. Hikes in business and operation (B&O) taxes, unemployment insurance taxes, and payroll taxes make it more difficult for businesses to make ends meet. Importantly, these taxes also make Washington less competitive for businesses to locate or start-up. Next year, Democrats will push a state capital gains income tax – yet another policy that discourages businesses. It’s time for Democrats to stop their punitive policies before it’s too late.
       
Wyman re-elected as WA Secretary of State (My Northwest)

With many races still uncalled in Washington, we do know Republican Kim Wyman has been re-elected as Washington’s Secretary of State. By Friday, Wyman led Democrat opponent Gael Tarleton with 53% of the vote.

Serving as the state’s chief election officer, Wyman has run over 120 elections across the state. She also oversees registration of corporations and nonprofits, state archives, the address confidentiality program, and manages the state library.

King County passes “defund the police” measures (My Northwest)

King County voters passed two measures aimed at “defunding” the King County Sheriff’s Office. King County will be the only county in Washington State to not vote for their Sheriff.

All power will be in the hands of the Seattle-controlled King County Council. It’s important to understand Seattle voters got to vote on the charter measures despite the fact that the Sheriff’s office does not answer 911 calls in Seattle. In other words, Seattle received disproportionate influence on an issue that does not impact them.

Former King County Sheriff John Urquhart joined KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson to speak about the decision. He said, “If you like the Capitol Hill’s CHOP, you’re going to love an appointed sheriff.”
        
Voters approve Referendum 90 largely along red vs. blue county lines (Washington Policy Center)

Voters approved Referendum 90, the controversial sex education bill that teaches sexual variation to children and takes authority away from parents and local school districts.

The vote was split largely along traditionally red vs. blue county lines.  During the 2020 legislative session, majority Democrats introduced the bill and passed it without allowing public input or amendments.

Only one Democrat joined all Republicans in rejecting the bill. Sen. Brad Hawkins (R-East Wenatchee) had stated that Republicans “have significant concerns about the state mandating sex education across all 295 of our school districts. We feel that is a significant erosion of local control and that those closest to an issue like this are usually in the best position to make decisions.”

Olympia report

Washington minimum wage will increase to $13.69   (Washington Policy Center)

By January 2021, the state minimum wage – already among the highest in the nation – will increase to $13.69 per hour.

The hike is expected to impact young and entry level workers by increasing joblessness.

Increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour in Seattle led to small business closures and lost jobs. For small businesses operating on small profit margins, the large hike in minimum wage hikes makes payroll impossible. 

Businesses will also have to contend with a change to the minimum salary threshold requiring employers to pay overtime. According to the Washington Policy Center, for non-profits and organizations that “provide services to underserved communities this means a significant number of their employees now qualify for both their salary and overtime.” 

In addition, small businesses face 550% increase in employment security taxes -- to force employers to cut jobs? (My Northwest)

The consequences of the Olympia imposed cost increases will be lost jobs in the face of an inability to make payroll.

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Boeing announces more job cuts  (My Northwest)

As Boeing deals with the financial fallout of two MAX crashes and the COVID-19 pandemic, more job cuts are expected. 

Boeing CEO David Calhoun told employees to “anticipate a workforce of about 130,000 employees by the end of 2021.” That means Boeing will cut nearly double the number of jobs originally expected. Washington already has seen a loss of 12,000 jobs, more cuts are expected to commercial aviation division. The news makes Democrats’ failure to keep Boeing’s 787 production in Washington – losing thousands of jobs to South Carolina – more difficult. 

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State health officials indicate schools can safely reopen  (The Daily Chronicle)

Washington state health officials have announced that “bringing students back into school buildings for in-person classes does not seem to spur significant coronavirus transmission.” Officials suggested that schools can reopen as long as “strong health and safety measures are in place.” 

The statement aligns with data across the nation indicating that opening schools does not drive up the spread of COVID-19. Health officials revealed that our state “36 coronavirus outbreaks in schools since the start of the pandemic” with 26 cases since the start of the school year. Almost all the recorded outbreaks included five or fewer cases.  

With all this data, Governor Inslee an Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal have failed  to lead strongly on this issue to get elementary grade kids back into school.  

A special legislative session to address local schools liability concerns would be helpful. But Inslee, Reykdal and legislative Democrats have refused to lead.

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Inslee joins western states in vaccine “pact”  (My Northwest)

Jay Inslee acted to politicize further the COVID-19 pandemic by joining in a pact with other western states to “review the safety and efficacy” of any COVID-19 vaccines – even after those vaccines pass vigorous tests to meet the standards of the Food and Drug Administration. 

Democrat-run states in the pact include Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, and Nevada.

According to Inslee, a “panel of experts across the five states” will review each vaccine approved by the FDA. It is unclear what the “review” would be like or how long the process would take, thus delaying the administration of a vaccine. 

Inslee insists the pact increases public confidence in a vaccine. Inslee does not appear to see the irony of the obvious appearance of distrust by “leaders” like him and by the very existence of the pact. 

The politically motivated pact does more to sow seeds of doubt than instill confidence in the vaccine and will delay the administration of a working vaccine.

Why is Mr Inslee trying to delay delivery of the vaccine?  Maybe Inslee knows an effective vaccine will force him to reopen Washington and dismantle the justification of his overbearing administration