Olympia This Week - The all income tax edition

New survey finds Washingtonians strongly oppose tax increases  (Opportunity Washington Survey [PDF])

Democrats are proposing a litany of new taxes this legislative session. Democrats’ tax-first agenda begs the question, how do the people of Washington feel about more or higher taxes? Opportunity WA conducted a recent survey that sheds light on public opinion. The survey found that only 19% of Washington voters think taxes should increase, and even that number is declining (see page 5 of the survey).

The survey also found the majority of voters oppose an income tax on capital gains, like Democrats’ SB 5096.

Voters also believe that economic recovery is the most serious issue facing our state today. They also believe it is a better time to reduce taxes to ensure businesses can survive the pandemic than to increase taxes to fund more services.

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The Seattle Times urges Democrats to drop capital gains income tax proposal  (Seattle Times)

The Seattle Times Editorial Board urged Jay Inslee and his fellow Democrats to drop their “hasty, flawed” state capital gains income tax proposal.

The Democrats' new tax proposal – according to the editorial board – is “too flawed and should be abandoned.” The Times goes on, “This bill’s deficiencies are numerous.

There is no clear justification for raising the money, because there are few specifics available for what it will go toward.

It is virtually certain to tie the state up in court litigating whether it’s a constitutionally prohibited income tax.

And it perpetuates the Legislature’s troubling misuse of emergency clauses to thwart potential voter challenges.”

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The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin Editorial Board: Democrats trying to fool public (Union Bulletin)

The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin Editorial Board isn’t buying Washington Democrats’ insistence that a capital gains tax is not a form of income tax.

The Editorial Board writes that Democrats “seem to be trying to fool the public, and perhaps themselves.” The piece continues, “The federal government considers money gained through the sale of a capital asset — such as stocks and bonds — as taxable income. How is the capital gains tax being seriously considered in the state Senate any different? It isn’t.”

Importantly, the Editorial Board notes that the “only way to legally impose an income tax is to change the state Constitution. Washington voters have so far rejected the concept 10 times.”  Clearly the Democrats don't care what the voters think on this one.

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Democrats’ state capital gains income tax will face legal challenge  (Seattle Times)

Washington Republicans are standing firm on Democrats’ latest attempt to impose a state capital gains income tax. After all, the tax is unconstitutional and – contrary to Democrats’ claims – not necessary to balance the state budget, thanks to higher than projected revenue.

If Democrat lawmakers pass a state capital gains income tax this legislative session, their volatile tax will face a legal challenge.

While Democrats are attempting to categorize the tax as a form of excise tax, the IRS categorizes a tax on capital gains as an income tax. As Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, told the Seattle Times, “We have to remind ourselves that the IRS says that this is an income tax … and a very volatile one at that.”

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The state legislature is closer than ever to passing an income tax in Washington state this year. Emails collected through public records make it clear this income tax on capital gains is designed as a "starter tax" with more income taxes to come that will impact every citizen.

It's a volatile tax that will destroy Washington's "no income tax advantage" for attracting new businesses, high-tech start-ups and the jobs that come with them. And while advocates claim they are inspired to enact income taxes because of the burden on low income taxpayers, there is NO consideration of a sales tax or other cuts that could reduce that burden without destroying Washington's competitive advantage.

Sign Washington Policy Center’s No Income Tax for WA State petition and have your voice heard to Keep Washington State Income Tax Free Petition.

General Legislative Recap Week of February 26, 2021

This is the 47th day of the 105-day session.  The House and Senate are currently on the floor debating and voting on bills to pass out of the House of origin by Tuesday, March 9.

Below is a summary of what occurred this week for your general update.

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WA State’s Felony Drug Possession Law Struck Down

The Washington Supreme Court on Thursday, February 25th struck down the state's felony drug possession law because it doesn't require prosecutors to prove that someone knowingly or intentionally possessed drugs.  The ruling came from the case of a Spokane woman who had received a pair of pants from a friend which unknowingly to her contained a bag of methamphetamine in a pocket.  This ruling could possibly result in hundreds of thousands of convictions to be vacated.  Legislators are scrambling to see if there could be legislation that could be introduced this late in session to address related consequences such as officers’ ability to perform investigations.  (Seattle Times)
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Sweet Drinks Tax

Senator June Robinson prime sponsored SB 5371 which will fund public health services and health equity initiatives through a statewide sweetened beverage tax.  Beginning October 1, 2021, a tax of $0.0175 per fluid ounce (~ $1.18 per 2 liter bottle)  is imposed on sweetened beverages distributed in the state by a person engaged in the business of distributing sweetened beverages.  

For sweetened beverages produced from concentrates, the tax is calculated using the largest volume of beverage that would typically be produced by the amount of concentrate.

It did not pass out of committee but should be considered alive as it could become Necessary to Implement the Budget (NTIB).

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Native American Names in Public Schools

Representative Lekanoff, who is a member of the Tlingit tribe, introduced HB 1356 which passed off the House Floor with a 92-5 vote.  This bill prohibits public schools from using Native American names, symbols, or images as school mascots, logos, or team names.  It establishes exceptions to the prohibition if certain requirements are met, including consultation with and authorization by, the applicable tribe or tribes.  

It also allows for the phasing out of uniforms or other materials bearing Native American names, symbols, or images as mascots, logos, or team names if specified requirements are met. 

HB1356 will now move to the Senate where it will await a public hearing.

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Voter Eligibility for Convicted Felons

HB 1078 would restore voter eligibility for all persons convicted of a felony offense. Specifically, it replaces the two-step approach of provisional and permanent restoration of a person's voting rights after a felony conviction with a process where voting rights are automatically restored for a person convicted of a felony when he or she is not serving a sentence of total confinement under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections.  

It would also remove provisions authorizing the revocation of provisional restoration of voting rights upon failure to pay legal financial obligations.  After some passionate debates on the House Floor, it passed largely along party lines with a 57-41 vote.

The WA Senate Approves Carry BAN – Contact Your Representative!

Last night, the Washington Senate suspended the rules and approved an amended version of Carry Ban Legislation, Senate Bill 5038.  The measure now heads to the House for further consideration.

Senate Bill 5038 makes it a crime to openly carry, on the person or in a vehicle, a firearm or other “weapon” if the person is participating in, or attending, a “permitted demonstration” in a public place.

Despite permitting individuals to use an area for the exercise of their First Amendment rights, anti-gun legislators want to ban those individuals from exercising their Second Amendment rights in the same permitted space.  

The Washington State Constitution (Article 1, Section 24 states "The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired"   The Constitution was not written with disappearing ink where one right is more important than another. Also, The US Second Amendment should not be infringed upon in any capacity, especially where other Constitutional Rights are being freely and openly expressed.

Further, SB 5038 makes it a crime to open carry a firearm on Washington State Capitol grounds.  Open carry on the capitol campus during 2A rallies has always been peaceful and without a single incident of violence, however, it will now be banned without reason.

 Comment on this legislation at https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5038

State Supreme Court Decision Guts Campaign Finance Laws

In a decision released February 18th, the Washington State Supreme Court put the final nail in the coffin of a critical mechanism for enforcing state campaign finance laws.  Historically, enforcement prevented a partisan attorney general and political appointees at the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) from turning a blind eye to campaign finance violations committed by their friends and political allies.

Since adopted by voters via citizen initiative in 1972, Washington’s campaign finance rules have always provided a process for concerned citizens to file suit against those who violate the law in the event government authorities refuse or neglect to take action.

Unfortunately, in 2018 and 2019, the Washington State Legislature all but eliminated the citizen action process for future violations, consolidating the power to enforce campaign finance rules in the hands of the PDC and attorney general.

At the time the law changed, the Freedom Foundation already had four active citizen action lawsuits underway, two against labor unions in Washington state and one against a national union for failure to disclose millions of dollars in political spending, and one against the state of Washington for illegally assisting in union political fundraising.

However, in its 5-4 decision, the justices threw out the Freedom Foundation’s remaining citizen action cases on a technicality based on an unprecedented and indefensible interpretation of the decades-old process, effectively letting the state and unions off the hook for their violations.

Freedom Foundation Director of Labor Policy Max Nelsen said, “The Freedom Foundation agrees with the dissenting justices, who explained that the majority’s interpretation of the law produced ‘absurd consequences’, noting ‘(V)oters cannot possibly have intended to create a citizen’s right to sue when the government will not but allow the government to bar every one of those suits with a procedural quirk’.”

The dissenting opinion, authored by Justice Gordon McCloud, accurately concluded the majority’s decision “… contradicts our principles of statutory interpretation and guts the right of citizens to enforce” the Fair Campaign Practices Act.

Nelsen continued, “For its part, the majority dismissed the absurdities of its ruling by observing that the Legislature had effectively done away with the citizen action process anyway, so its ruling would have no future consequences.

“Unfortunately, the combined machinations of the Legislature and state courts have now undone a critical component of our state’s voter-approved election transparency laws and paved the way for the PDC and Attorney General Bob Ferguson to selectively wield campaign finance laws as a shield behind which their political allies can hide and a cudgel with which to assault those with differing points of view.”

Nelsen concluded, “We’re already seeing the consequences play out before our eyes.”

(Freedom Foundation) 

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We, the People, need to re-enact our laws against the pressure this corrupt state government is putting on us.

Carry Ban Sent to the Senate Floor for Rapid Consideration

Yesterday, anti-gun (& anti freedom) Senate Bill 5038 was pulled from the Senate Rules Committee and sent to the Senate Floor where it can be rushed through at any time.   Everyone ought to contact their State Senator and ask them to OPPOSE Senate Bill 5038 in any form.

Senate Bill 5038 makes it a crime to openly carry, on the person or in a vehicle, a firearm or other “weapon” if the person is participating in, or attending, a “permitted demonstration” in a public place.  “Permitted demonstration” is defined to mean any behavior by at least one person expressing views or airing grievances, which is intended to, or attracts, an unspecified number of onlookers (a “crowd”).  

The bill also prohibits openly carrying a firearm or other weapon within 250 feet of a demonstration in a public place after a law enforcement officer advises the person to leave. 

The intent of the bill is called into question because, under SB 5038's vague language, a single person openly expressing their views could be considered a “permitted demonstration” if it “intends” to draw a crowd.  Senate Bill 5038 potentially causes those who are engaging in otherwise lawful activities to become criminals because of the actions of others.

Comment on this bill at https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5038.    My message to the legislature was brief: "Preventing the law abiding citizen a means of self-defense is morally wrong, no matter the circumstances.  Please vote no on SB 5038."

It is very important that citizens and  Second Amendment supporters contact their State Senator and ask them to OPPOSE Senate Bill 5038.

Olympia this week

Democrats pass state capital gains income tax out of committee (KING5)

Senate Democrats passed a state capital gains income tax proposal out of the Ways and Means Committee, taking another step toward implementing a statewide income tax.

Democrats’ plan implements a 7% tax on profits on stocks, bonds, and personal property over $250,000 or more (for couples). They cite exemptions for profits made in the sales of real estate, retirement accounts, and family-owned small businesses as justification for their tax.

King 5 News featured Republican State Senator Mark Schoesler to explain why the tax is bad for Washingtonian. Schoesler said, “Does anyone really believe that [the income tax] will stay at that level, that there won’t be fewer exemptions or a higher rate in the future.”

Schoesler also noted that the tax is a form of an income tax and therefore unconstitutional in Washington State.  But the Senate Democrats don't seem to care.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The state legislature is closer than ever to passing an income tax in Washington state this year. Emails collected through public records make it clear this income tax on capital gains is designed as a "starter tax" with more income taxes to come that will impact every citizen.  

It's a volatile tax that will destroy Washington's "no income tax advantage" for attracting new businesses, high-tech start-ups and the jobs that come with them.

While advocates claim they are inspired to enact income taxes because of the burden on low income taxpayers, there is NO consideration of a sales tax or other cuts that could reduce that burden without destroying Washington's competitive advantage.

Sign Washington Policy Center’s No Income Tax for WA State petition and have your voice heard to KEEP WASHINGTON INCOME TAX FREE!

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Senate Republicans offer solutions via budget plan (NPR)

State House and Senate Republicans’ budget plans revealed what Washington’s budget would look like if Republicans controlled Olympia. Both budget plans push against Democrats’ proposals of more taxes, and establishes a more responsible spending agenda.

Importantly, Republicans’ budget plan also sets itself apart from Democrats’ proposal by its priorities. Senate Republicans’ budget prioritizes what matters most to Washingtonians – funding and reopening our schools.

The budget requires school districts that meet health metrics to reopen. To help boost much needed job growth,

Republicans’ budget also eliminates the state’s business and occupation (B&O) tax on manufacturing. Over the past two decades, the manufacturing sector lost an estimated 70,000 jobs.

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State Senate overwhelmingly approves GOP bill to help small schools (SRC)

In a 48-1 vote, the Senate overwhelmingly approved Republican State Senator Jim Honeyford’s measure to help school districts serving low-income communities by providing flexibility in financing their facilities.

If passed by the House, the bill would allow school districts in small, rural, and low-income communities to “create partnerships and limited liability companies, and enter into leases, loans, and other agreements with public and private entities, for the purpose of utilizing certain federal tax credit programs to finance school facilities.”

Honeyford explained, “It gives these schools the funding options they need to help address the concerns of individual communities, including those facing incredible wealth disparities.”

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Democrats kill all emergency reform bills (Washington Policy Center)

Washington Democrats made it clear that they have no interest in protecting the balance of power in state government.

They don’t even have an interest in debating the need for greater check and balances.

Democrats in the state House and Senate killed all bills proposed to reign in the Governor’s emergency powers – without even a floor debate.

As the Washington Policy Center’s Jason Mercier points out, all this occurred while Governor Jay Inslee admits he “currently has no Phase 3 or Phase 4 plans and one region was initially wrongly held behind from Phase 2 due to data errors.”

To be clear, there are no future reopening plans and the chance for additional data errors. Yet Democrats are okay with allowing the Governor to plow ahead to the detriment of hardworking Washington families across the state.

Keep Washington State Income Tax Free

The Washington state Democrat controlled legislature is pushing through an income tax bill, SB 5096.  We have never had to have an income tax in Washington State --  nor do we need one now.  Our budget is in balance.  

Despite that, the Democrat's bill declares itself an emergency -- the bill declares that income tax must be imposed without the citizens vote on an income tax.  But... what emergency?  Yep, the Democrats are going to silence and tax the People.

The ten year cost of this tax is projected to be $ 13,599,000,000.  This is only the first phase of a heavier and broader application of a Washington State income tax.  

Meanwhile, Governor Inslee insists this income tax is not an income tax  (MSN Money). 

We must stop this income tax.  There is an electronic petition

Posted there, in part:

"Opening Washington to one income tax opens Washington to all income taxes. Through emails Washington Policy Center obtained through a public records request of state lawmakers, we know that an expanded income tax is the goal of this effort and that income tax on capital gains proposals are sought in order to provoke a court challenge in the hopes that the State Supreme Court will throw out a hundred years of precedent and open the gates for progressive income taxes with a simple majority vote in the legislature."

"We reject this approach to lawmaking. If proponents want an income tax, they can [try to] amend the state constitution and make their case to the voters."

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These legislators voted in committee to enact the income tax SB 5096.  Email them and complain.

Senator Steve Conway
Democrat
(360) 786-7656
steve.conway@leg.wa.gov

Senator Karen Keiser
Democrat
(360) 786-7664
Karen.Keiser@leg.wa.gov

Senator Sam Hunt
Democrat
(360) 786-7642
Sam.Hunt@leg.wa.gov

Senator Jeannie Darneille
Democrat
(360) 786-7652
DARNEILL_JE@leg.wa.gov

Senator Bob Hasegawa
Democrat
(360) 786-7616
bob.hasegawa@leg.wa.gov

Senator Christine Rolfes
Democrat
(360) 786-7644
christine.rolfes@leg.wa.gov

Senator Jamie Pedersen
Democrat
(360) 786-7628
jamie.pedersen@leg.wa.gov

Senator Marko Liias
Democrat
(360) 786-7640
Marko.Liias@leg.wa.gov

Senator Reuven Carlyle
Democrat
(360) 786-7670
Reuven.Carlyle@leg.wa.gov

Senator David Frockt
Democrat
(360) 786-7690
David.Frockt@leg.wa.gov

Senator June Robinson
Democrat
(360) 786-7674
june.robinson@leg.wa.gov

Senator Lisa Wellman
Democrat
(360) 786-7641
Lisa.Wellman@leg.wa.gov

Senator Manka Dhingra
Democrat
(360) 786-7672
Manka.Dhingra@leg.wa.gov

All is not lost.  There was a bipartisan lack of support for an income tax.

The following legislator voted to refer the bill without recommendation:

Senator Kevin Van De Wege
Democrat
(360) 786-7646
Kevin.VanDeWege@leg.wa.gov

The following legislators voted do not pass:  Email them with your support.

Senator Mark Schoesler
Republican
(360) 786-7620
mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov

Senator Jim Honeyford
Republican
(360) 786-7684
Jim.Honeyford@leg.wa.gov

Senator Judy Warnick
Republican
(360) 786-7624
judith.warnick@leg.wa.gov

Senator Ann Rivers
Republican
(360) 786-7634
ann.rivers@leg.wa.gov

Senator Mark Mullet
Democrat
(360) 786-7608
mark.mullet@leg.wa.gov

Senator Sharon Brown
Republican
(360) 786-7614
Sharon.Brown@leg.wa.gov

Senator Lynda Wilson
Republican
(360) 786-7632
lynda.wilson@leg.wa.gov

Senator Keith Wagoner
Republican
(360) 786-7676
keith.wagoner@leg.wa.gov

Senator Chris Gildon
Republican
(360) 786-7648
GILDON_CH@leg.wa.gov

Senator Ron Muzzall
Republican
(360) 786-7618
MUZZALL_RO@leg.wa.gov 

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The income tax is an act of pure greed.  Any new tax while our state economy is struggling to recover from the COVID Pandemic is cruel. 

Sign the petition https://petitionbuilder.org/petition/keep-our-state-income-tax-free-mlbx

Olympia this week

Senate Republicans release budget proposal, highlight Democrats’ false claims  (WA State SRC)

State Senate Republicans proposed a $55.5 billion budget proposal that covers a broad range of public concerns while still balancing the budget without any more taxes. Through their proposal, Republicans have set the bar high for upcoming negotiations toward a new state operating budget. 

The proposal exposes Democrats’ false claim that our state needs new taxes for a balanced budget – in fact, there is no budget deficit and state revenue is growing. 

The top priorities of the budget include “restarting schools and bringing jobs back, while saving money for lower-income families.” Senate Republican budget leader Sen. Lynda Wilson stated, “Senate Republicans have been listening to the people, and the messages are clear. Kids need to be in school. People need jobs. People need relief. This budget responds to those needs in a reasonable and responsible way.”
        
State Legislature passes COVID-19 relief package – months after the start of pandemic  (Daily Chronicle)

State lawmakers have passed a $2.2 billion COVID-19 funding package for schools, businesses, renters and others. The package passed 47-2 in the Senate, receiving widespread bipartisan support. 

Some Senate Republicans expressed disappointment that the bill did not do enough to provide relief. Republicans brought eight amendments to the floor that pushed for “more money for schools, a quicker reopening of the state and adding certain stipulations for vaccine prioritization.” Republicans also tried to attach a “bill that would have moved the entire state to Phase 2 of the governor’s reopening plan, the latest of their push to move the state to Phase 2.” 

Democrats shutdown Republicans’ attempts to help Washington families and small businesses. Of course, Democrats also refused to act much earlier to help struggling families and businesses. As Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Whatcom County, said, “Today’s action is not early. Early action would’ve been a special session in May.”
        
WA Democrats’ one-of-a-kind wealth tax plan makes national news (Washington Examiner)

Washington Democrats’ plan to pass a wealth tax is making national news. Democrats are seeking to pass a “1% tax applied to paper assets such as cash, bonds, pensions, and stocks in excess of $1 billion.” The tax would be the first of its kind in the nation. The tax would target 10 people in our state including Jeff Bezos, who would owe about $1.9 billion under the tax. 

Of course, that it is best-case scenario for Washington State. Other possible outcomes include – as Jim King of the Independent Business Association argues – the wealth tax costing the state “a fortune in legal bills” and leaving it to “tax small businesses to make up the difference.” 

Another possibility is our state’s billionaires simple leaving the state and taking their spending power with them – the same consequence that led France to repeal its wealth tax just a few years ago (NPR).

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Inslee threatens to withhold COVID-19 vaccinations from Whitman County (KHQ-Q6)

Whitman County did what it needed to do – officials vaccinated all phase 1B tier 1 eligible people who wanted the vaccines. So, it prepared to move on to teachers, until Gov. Jay Inslee called to stop them. 

Inslee’s office warned county officials that proceeding with their plan would result in them “jeopardizing [their] current doses and any future allocations.”

Whitman County officials did not want to take the risk of Inslee withholding vaccines if they proceeded with their logical plan. They gave thousands of vaccines away to neighboring counties instead. 

Rosalia Schools principal Matt McLain put the ridiculous situation this way, “Our county is being punished for being efficient, because they have done a great job at delivering the vaccine. The question I have, is this a pandemic or is it not? If it’s a pandemic let’s treat it like a pandemic and get it in the arms and the hands of people that need it, period.”

2021 Session – General Legislative Recap -- Week of February 12

This is from the 33rd day of the 105-day session.

Monday, February 15 will be the first cutoff date of the 2021 session. It will be the last day to pass bills out of committee and in house of origin -- except for House fiscal committees, Senate Ways & Means, and Transportation Committees. 

Monday, February 22 is the cutoff of bills to pass the fiscal committees and Tuesday, 

March 9 is the House of Origin cutoff, where bills must be voted out of the House and Senate.

Below is a summary of what occurred this week for your general update.

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Unemployment Insurance Bill First Bill Signed Into Law In 2021 Legislative Session

The first bill of the 2021 Legislative Session signed into law, ESSB 5061, lowers the immediate unemployment tax hit on businesses, and spreads those tax increases over the next five years. Total relief from taxes is about $1.7 billion. 

This bill received bipartisan support and passed the Senate 42-7 and in the House 89-8. 

The Governor signed ESSB 5061 into law on February 8th and it took effect that same day. Governor Inslee stated right after signing the bill, “We just made some good law in the state of Washington.”

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Election Official Harassment

Senator Frockt prime sponsored SB 5148, which elevates the crime of harassment to a Class C felony when the harassment is directed at an election official with the Secretary of State or county auditor's office.

Election official includes any staff member of the office of the Secretary of State or staff member of the county auditor's office, regardless of whether the member is employed on a temporary or part-time basis, whose duties relate to voter registration or the processing of votes. 

Secretary of State Kim Wyman testified in support citing violence and harassment increasing tremendously across the nation during the 2020 elections. The bill passed out of Senate Law and Justice earlier this week with a unanimous vote and now sits in Rules.

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Universal Health Care Commission

On February 8th, SB 5399 received a Public Hearing in Senate Health and Longtime Care and two days later on February 10th it was passed out with a 7-4 party line vote. As the name suggests, this bill would establish the universal health care commission, which is spurred from the work of the universal health care work group from 2019. 

This commission would be tasked with developing a plan to be implemented by 2026, that provides comprehensive, equitable, and affordable health care coverage under a publicly financed and privately and publicly delivered health care system to all state residents.

SB 5399 is now sitting in Senate Ways & Means Committee.

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Cyber Security for state agencies

Senator Carlyle prime sponsored SB 5432 (also a Governor’s request bill) would create the Office of Cybersecurity (OCS) within the Office of the Chief Information Officer. 

The primary duties of the OCS are specified in the language, such as establishing security standards and policies and developing a centralized cybersecurity protocol for managing state IT assets. The OCS, in collaboration with the Office of Privacy and Data Protection and the Office of the Attorney General, shall research existing best practices for data governance and data protection, including model terms for data sharing contracts, and submit a report to the Legislature by December 1, 2021. 

SB 5432 passed out of Senate Environment, Energy & Technology on February 11th with Senator Eriksen being the lone no vote.

Governor Inslee Has Failed Central Washington

A letter by US Representative Dan Newhouse.

"Yesterday, Governor Inslee, announced that all but one region in Washington state - the South Central region - have moved to Phase 2 of reopening.

"Since the beginning of this pandemic, Governor Inslee has failed to lead our state based on clear facts and unambiguous scientific guidelines. He has shown no effort to understand the unique challenges of Central Washington, and his ever-changing metrics have unfairly targeted our region, despite the progress we have made.

"In response to his baseless orders and restrictions being called out by members of his own party (Senate Democrats), he backtracked and moved their regions into Phase 2, leaving our rural region - which is already disproportionately disadvantaged - behind.

"There is simply no scientific reason businesses following the safety guidance in opened areas are any more safe than Central Washington’s businesses following the same guidelines. These are real people’s lives and livelihoods at stake, and keeping us shuttered away - despite evidence of successful reopening in regions like ours across the country - is causing more long-term damage than he seems to care to realize.

"Enough is enough. It is time our state legislators, local health boards, and health officials take the lead on implementing safety measures and monitoring for adjustments as needed. Governor Inslee has failed the people of Central Washington and lost all credibility."

US Rep. Dan Newhouse

The Democrats push income tax for capital gains

Capital gains are a type of income tax.  The eventual result will be income tax for all.

 

Taxing people sucks the life out of our economy.  The more taxes gathered, the less life is left.  

 

Sucking out life is always bad; now it would be so much worse since we have not even begun to recover from COVID.

Olympia is having a hearing tomorrow 8am (2/11/2021).  Please be sure to OPPOSE this bill HB 1496  (Who needs more taxes?).   You can comment at https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1496 and also call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000.

This would be an additional capital gains tax on sale of assets such as stocks, bonds, houses…  A new Washington state bureaucracy in the Dept. of Revenue would be created with new filing forms, a Washington State IRS.

 

The proposed income tax would start at 9%.   And though the income tax would start out taxing only billionaires in Washington state, it would open the door on capital gains state income tax for all.

We need to get three Democratic senators to change their votes to No for the income tax to fail, so call the legislative hotline at 1 800-562-6000 to voice your objection to a state income tax.  One call will reach all three of the legislators in each district.

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Click to view this Youtube video of Washington Policy Center's Vice President for Research, Paul Guppy providing an exclusive update regarding the ongoing legislative session (as of last week)

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HB 1496    Let them hear from you on this tax.  Legislative Hotline 1-800-562-6000

Olympia this week

Tri-City Editorial board calls out Democrats for refusing to check Inslee’s powers (Tri-City Herald_

The Tri-City Editorial board is not impressed with Washington Democrats’ lack of interest in placing a check on Jay Inslee’s powers.

In a recent piece, the board called out members of the state legislature for forgetting their role in placing a check on the executive branch. Either that, writes the board, or “they are simply willing to ignore that the balance of governmental authority during the COVID pandemic has been shamefully out of whack.”

Unbelievably, Inslee has ruled by executive proclamation for one year at the end of this month. Inslee has “unilaterally made all the decisions regarding how the state manages the pandemic.”

Republican lawmakers and newspaper editorial boards across the state called on Inslee to convene a special session for much of 2020.  He never did, and Democrats never attempted to come together to bypass the governor and voter for a special session.

Now Democrats refuse to act on bills sponsored by Republicans in the House and Senate to limit the governor’s authority during emergencies.

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The Tacoma News Tribune calls on Democrats to check Inslee’s powers (Tacoma News Tribune)

The Tacoma News Tribune Editorial board also called out Washington Democrats for refusing to put a check on Jay Inslee’s executive powers.

With our state drawing near to the first anniversary of Inslee’s first emergency declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic, the TNT editorial board highlighted the need for state lawmakers to “uphold the separation of powers” during the 2021 session.

The board wrote, “Washington’s 49 senators and 98 representatives can reassert their status as a co-equal branch of government, no longer sidelined by a governor who wouldn’t call a special session as the public-health crisis dragged on last year.”

To do so, the board called on Democrats to “pick one or two” bills introduced by Republicans pertaining to the COVID-19 response and “schedule them for public hearings.”

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Democrats continue to block bill to reopen state faster (Newstalk KFLD)

Senate Democrats continue to block SB 5114, the bill to reopen businesses across Washington state faster than Jay Inslee’s plan.

Last week, Republican Sen. Shelly Short moved to bring SB 5114 immediately to the floor for a vote. By moving the whole state to Phase 2 of reopening, the bill would go a long way to helping struggling businesses.

Currently, Inslee’s reopening plan relies on faulty data, picking winners and losers by region.

The previous week, Republican Senator Jeff Wilson made a motion to vote on the SB 5114 during a committee meeting. Democrats blocked his motion. 

Washington state Democrats seem pleased with their little dictatorship.

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Inslee refuses to discuss his flawed reopening plan (KOMO News)

Jay Inslee refuses to re-consider his highly controversial reopening plan despite facing heavy opposition from regional health officials. Only a handful of counties – including King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties – have been able to move on to Phase 2 of Inslee’s reopening plan. That means restaurants, gyms, and bowling alleys in these regions can operate at 25% capacity for indoor dining and activities.
Businesses in much of the rest of the state remain closed.

The health board in Whatcom county called Inslee out for the flawed approach to analyzing whether or not a region fits his reopening criteria. The board wrote Inslee, “How is it fair or equitable that San Juan County, with a two-week case rate of 64/100,000 has businesses shuttered, but King County, with a two-week case of 300/100,000 (six times higher disease burden) is reopening?”

Whatcom County Health Director Erika Lautenbach also stated, “There were cracks and inconsistencies that began to show about the rationale for moving certain counties with high case rates forward and other counties with high or lower case rates staying in shutdown essentially.”

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Democrat senator kills bill to reopen public schools (Washington Policy Center)

Democrat Senator Lisa Wellman (D-Mercer Island) – chair of the Senate Education Committee – killed a bipartisan bill that sought to “to safely re-open schools in communities with low levels of infection.”

SB 5031 had the support of thousands of parents who are concerned over their children missing nearly a year of school – and counting. Virtual classrooms are not only ineffective but hurt the emotional and social wellbeing of children.

Wellman defended her decision to block the bill in committee by stating that she would go along with the state’s powerful teachers’ union, the Washington Education Association (WEA).

The CDC recommends that schools can safely re-open, many other states have reopened public schools.

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Washington state Employment Security Department delivers another blow to its fraud victims (KING 5)

The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) continues to exhibit its mismanagement and incompetence.  One of the consequences of ESD falling prey to a Nigerian fraud scheme was the identities of thousands of Washingtonians were stolen.  Actually, since ESD fell for this scam, the mismanagement and incompetence aren't a surprise.

Now ESD is – once again – victimizing many of these same people. ESD recently began sending 1099 forms to people who received unemployment money in 2020.

Unfortunately, people who had their identities stolen due to ESD incompetence are also receiving 1099 forms. That means people who did not receive unemployment money may be reported to the IRS as having received payments.

Richard Epstein of the BBB told King 5, “This is serious, people, because what it means is the government is reporting you were paid this money to the IRS, and that’s like a W-2. You can have to be paying taxes on that money that you never received.”

Meanwhile, the Biden Administration appointed the head of the ESD, Suzi LeVine, to manage an unemployment program in U.S. Labor Department. 
 

Olympia pauses on new firearm carry restriction

Today, the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee took no action on House Bill 1283, legislation that will cause the lawful open carry of a firearm to become a felony offense. 

While news of this delay is good news, the committee has scheduled two more executive sessions on the measure for Wednesday and Friday of next week.  It is important that you continue to contact committee members and urge them to OPPOSE this absurdly flawed measure.

House Bill 1283 will make it a felony to openly carry a firearm (or any weapon, think pocket knife) in a group.  Further, this measure contains no exceptions for individuals who are defending themselves at home or on their own property. Not even law enforcement, military, or those carrying firearms in an official capacity are exempted. 

In addition, HB 1283 overreaches in causing those who are lawfully carrying a concealed firearm to be entrapped by a felony charge if the firearm accidentally becomes visible. HB 1283 throws such a wide net that many law-abiding gun owners could become felons if this measure is passed.  It needs to be stopped!

Please contact members of the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee (link) and ask them to OPPOSE House Bill 1283!

Olympia: New gun restrictions moving ahead

Hearing rooms are normally packed for bills relating to firearms and in this pandemic session, only the venue was different.  Many of the public still showed up virtually to give testimony on SB 5038 and SB 5078. 

SB 5038 prohibits the open carry of a firearm or other weapons at or near public demonstrations, the state capitol grounds, its buildings, and other legislative locations and provides an exception for state and local law enforcement officers.

SB 5078 prohibits the manufacture, possession, distribution, importation, selling, offering for sale, purchasing, or transfer of large capacity magazines with the capability of holding more than ten rounds of ammunition, unless the possession falls within one of the stated exceptions including prior possession. 

Both bills passed out of Senate Law and Justice this week on party line votes -- the Democrats are seeking to complicate lawful self-defense.

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HB 1283 makes it a felony to openly carry a firearm (or any weapon) in a group.  Further, this measure contains no exceptions for individuals who are defending themselves at home or on their own property. There is no exception for law enforcement, military, or those carrying firearms in an official capacity. 

HB 1283 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 10:00 AM.  Register your comment on HB 1283 at https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1283

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While Olympia is trying to disarm us -- Antifa gangsters occupied a hotel in Olympia, demanding shelter for the houseless.  There is a minute by minute account of this unfolding drama in the Post Millennial article.  (Post Millennial)

Antifa is so irrational, they are a poor speaker for the social needs they claim to represent.  

What makes this worse is the in-power Democrats don't care if we die on our knees or not.