PNW is underpowered in electricity.

The Seattle Times reports a "Surge in electricity demand spells trouble for PNW. &  forecasts show  the challenges facing the Northwest all are exacerbated by the region’s new energy hog: data centers." 

Washington state will follow California and prohibit the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035, Jay Inslee, the state governor, said.

This is not the time to enact the new internal combustion engine ban.  Only those wed to climate control think it is.  Besides, they realize their data is faked.  And they don't care.

WA initiatives we get to vote on in November

Washington Initiative 2109, Repeal Capital Gains Tax Initiative - click here to download the text in pdf

We need to limit government overreach. Support good tax reform. And give working people a break.
Initiative 2109 repeals the state’s capital gains income tax to help small business owners and entrepreneurs build more and hire more.

Washington Initiative 2117, Repeal Carbon Cap and Invest Program Measure - click here to download the text in pdf

Stop the Hidden Gas Tax - Carbon Tax = Higher Gas Prices
Policies from Olympia have pushed the cost of living up. Groceries. Utilities. Insurance. Gas and diesel. The cost of living in Washington state has become too expensive. You can do something about this. Initiative 21-17 cuts gas and diesel prices by repealing the state’s hidden gas tax that is adding 60 cents to each gallon of gas you buy. Reducing the cost of gas and diesel will help reduce the costs of groceries and home utilities in our state.

Washington Initiative 2124, Opt-Out of Long-Term Services Insurance Program Initiative - click here to download the text in pdf 

This allows workers to opt out of the state’s long-term care insurance program that is currently taking money out of each working person’s paycheck – forcing people to pay for a program with minimal benefits - that they most likely won’t ever use
 

Then vote to reduce pointless taxes and regularization & the cost of living by voting!

✔ YES to I- 2109
✔ YES on I-2117
✔ YES on I 2124

Washington Legislature Anti-Gun legislation to Inslee

This year, anti-gun Washington Legislators continued their crusade of undermining the Second Amendment and defying the precedent established in the Bruen decision. While this session saw the passage of numerous anti-gun measures, it was not without its victories as well.  Thanks to the calls and emails from NRA Members and Second Amendment supporters, a number of equally bad measures were thankfully defeated. 

Please contact Governor Jay Inslee and respectfully ask him to veto the below anti-gun measures.

Bills Passed and Awaiting Governor Jay Inslee’s Consideration:

House Bill 1903 further victimizes otherwise law-abiding gun owners and places the liability on crime victims for theft of their own property by penalizing failing to report missing or stolen firearms within 24 hours.

House Bill 2021 expands the authorized and/or required destruction of firearms acquired from gun buyback programs held by state and local government entities.

House Bill 2118, the "FFL-Killer" bill, places onerous requirements on Washington-based FFLs and will put many out of business because of the financial burden to comply. Any FFL that does more than $1,000 of sales per year must run annual background checks on their employees, carry $1 million liability insurance, install steel doors or bars at the business, and meet onerous requirements for storage and security systems with 24-hour audio and video surveillance.

Senate Bill 5444 expands “sensitive places” where law-abiding citizens may no longer open carry in these publicly accessible areas - public transportation areas, libraries, zoos and aquariums. Nothing in the bill requires these “sensitive places” have any measures to protect citizens and prevent armed criminals from ignoring this arbitrary boundary and entering, such as metal detectors, security guards, or a police presence. Concealed Pistol License holders may still lawfully conceal carry their firearms in these locations.

Senate Bill 5985 codifies the unconstitutional provisions of Washington’s recent ban on commonly owned firearms into the section of state code on background checks. 

Bills Defeated During Session:

House Bill 1902 would have required individuals obtain a permit with live-fire training to be able to exercise the right to purchase firearms.

House Bill 2054 would have rationed Second Amendment rights by limiting firearm dealers from transferring or selling more than one firearm per 30-day period to an individual.

House Bill 2238 would have created an additional 11% excise tax on the sale or transfer of ammunition.

Senate Bill 5963 would have required an individual who owns a firearm to obtain residential insurance as a homeowner or a renter.

Legislature enacts another tax on workers

They call SB 6069 an improvement for retirement security.  It has no opt-out provision, so you must pay a percentage of your paycheck into the state's coffers.  Its a tax.  And it has passed both houses of the legislature and awaits the governor's signature.

Here is lie they told themselves to pass this thing.

"SB 6069 = Improving private Washington workforce retirement security standards by establishing Washington saves, an automatic enrollment individual retirement savings account program, and updating the Washington retirement marketplace statute."

In general, Democrats voted for this bill, and Republicans opposed it.  To look up your own representative or senator's vote, the vote record is posted at https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAGOV/bulletins/38f5ffe 

Initiative sucesses and the comng balllot battle on others

The legislature saw fit to repeal some of their own laws.  The People submitted initiative to the legislature.  The Democrats looked at the polls and realized that to keep their jobs, they better go along with the People's will.  (Who would mind if the Democrats were turned out of state government anyway?)

So the legislature enacted the following initiatives.

Initiative 2111 prohibits the state and local jurisdictions from imposing taxes on any individual person on any form of personal income.  The initiative specifies that "income" has the same meaning as "gross income" as under the federal tax code.

Initiative 2113 expanded authorization for vehicular pursuits by allowing an officer to conduct a vehicular pursuit where there is reasonable suspicion a person has violated the law.

Initiative 2081 declared 15 rights that parents and guardians of public school children have, including rights to receive or be notified of academic, medical, safety, and law enforcement matters; rights to examine and inspect certain materials and records; and rights to opt their children out of certain activities.

The initiatives will become law, taking effect about three months after the session ends, unless a referendum is filed. The last day of the session is Thursday.

Source - Seattle Times

The legislature has declined to act on certain Initiatives of the People.  These are

I-2109 The Initiative to repeal capital gains tax   The capital gains tax was passed by the Washington State Legislature in 2021.  It took effect on January 1, 2022.  Revenue from the tax was set to be deposited in the education legacy trust account and the common school construction account.  This initiative would repeal the 7% capital gains excise tax imposed on sales and exchanges of long-term capital assets by individuals with capital gains over $250,000.

Capital gains taxes suppress the willingness of investors to make large investments.  The rental housing industry is one example. 

I-2117 - Which will repeal carbon cap-and-invest program  & prohibit carbon tax credit trading.  Under this all state agencies are prohibited from implementing any type of carbon tax credit trading, also known as "cap and trade" or "cap and tax" scheme.  It includes the climate commitment act previously codified as chapter 70A.65 RCW.  This prohibition applies whether the resulting increased costs are imposed on fuel recipients or fuel suppliers. 

This has implications to this year’s supplemental spending.

I-2124, the initiative to opt-out of long-term Services Insurance Program. Instead, the law would change to requires employees and self-employed individuals to opt-in to coverage under the state's long-term services and supports trust health care program.  It would allows anyone to opt out of coverage at any time.  The Employee Security Department (ESD) would be responsible for developing rules to implement the opt-out process.  

The existing Long-Term services and supports trust program was created in 2019.  The Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Act (LTSS) created the first state-operated long-term care insurance program, known as the WA Cares Fund and is funded through a mandatory payroll tax on employees' wages.

Source - Washington Policy Center

Anti-Gun Bills Advance Through the Legislature

On Tuesday, February 27^th, HB 2118, the “Federal Firearm Licensee Killer” passed the Senate, and SB 5444, "Sensitive Places" expansion, passed the House. 

Both bills were amended in the second chamber and now must return to their respective chambers of origin for concurrence and final passage before heading to the Governor's desk. 

House Bill 2118, the "FFL-Killer" bill, was passed by the Senate with a vote of 28-21. The bill will now return to the House for concurrence due to an amendment adopted in the Senate. The onerous requirements of House Bill 2118 will likely put most Washington-based FFLs out of business because of the financial burden to comply. 

Under HB 2118, any FFL that does more than $1,000 of sales per year must run annual background checks on their employees, carry $1 million liability insurance, install steel doors or bars at the business, and meet onerous requirements for storage and security systems with 24-hour audio and video surveillance. Even the Seattle Times agrees “… HB 2118 pushes gun control to a level of punishment for legitimate businesses… [and] unnecessarily tightens the rein on gun dealers while using the public’s safety as a smoke screen.” `

Here is a list of all House members.  HB 2118 will affect us all if it is enacted, so we have a right to let all legislators now how we think about it.

peter.abbarno@leg.wa.gov; emily.alvarado@leg.wa.gov; andrew.barkis@leg.wa.gov; stephanie.barnard@leg.wa.gov; jessica.bateman@leg.wa.gov; april.berg@leg.wa.gov; steve.bergquist@leg.wa.gov; liz.berry@leg.wa.gov; dan.bronoske@leg.wa.gov; michelle.caldier@leg.wa.gov; lisa.callan@leg.wa.gov; kelly.chambers@leg.wa.gov; bruce.chandler@leg.wa.gov; mike.chapman@leg.wa.gov; greg.chaney@leg.wa.gov; frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov; leonard.christian@leg.wa.gov; april.connors@leg.wa.gov; chris.corry@leg.wa.gov; julio.cortes@leg.wa.gov; travis.couture@leg.wa.gov; lauren.davis@leg.wa.gov; tom.dent@leg.wa.gov; beth.doglio@leg.wa.gov; brandy.donaghy@leg.wa.gov; davina.duerr@leg.wa.gov; mary.dye@leg.wa.gov; debra.entenman@leg.wa.gov; carolyn.eslick@leg.wa.gov; darya.farivar@leg.wa.gov; jake.fey@leg.wa.gov; joe.fitzgibbon@leg.wa.gov; mary.fosse@leg.wa.gov; keith.goehner@leg.wa.gov; roger.goodman@leg.wa.gov; jenny.graham@leg.wa.gov; mia.gregerson@leg.wa.gov; dan.griffey@leg.wa.gov; david.hackney@leg.wa.gov; paul.harris@leg.wa.gov; spencer.hutchins@leg.wa.gov; cyndy.jacobsen@leg.wa.gov; laurie.jinkins@leg.wa.gov; mark.klicker@leg.wa.gov; shelley.kloba@leg.wa.gov; joel.kretz@leg.wa.gov; mari.leavitt@leg.wa.gov; debra.lekanoff@leg.wa.gov; sam.low@leg.wa.gov; nicole.macri@leg.wa.gov; jacquelin.maycumber@leg.wa.gov; stephanie.mcclintock@leg.wa.gov; joel.mcentire@leg.wa.gov; sharlett.mena@leg.wa.gov; melanie.morgan@leg.wa.gov; gina.mosbrucker@leg.wa.gov; greg.nance@leg.wa.gov; ed.orcutt@leg.wa.gov; timm.ormsby@leg.wa.gov; lillian.ortiz-self@leg.wa.gov; tina.orwall@leg.wa.gov; dave.paul@leg.wa.gov; strom.peterson@leg.wa.gov; gerry.pollet@leg.wa.gov; alex.ramel@leg.wa.gov; bill.ramos@leg.wa.gov; julia.reed@leg.wa.gov; kristine.reeves@leg.wa.gov; marcus.riccelli@leg.wa.gov; eric.robertson@leg.wa.gov; skyler.rude@leg.wa.gov; alicia.rule@leg.wa.gov; cindy.ryu@leg.wa.gov; bryan.sandlin@leg.wa.gov; sharontomiko.santos@leg.wa.gov; joe.schmick@leg.wa.gov; suzanne.schmidt@leg.wa.gov; tana.senn@leg.wa.gov; clyde.shavers@leg.wa.gov; tarra.simmons@leg.wa.gov; vandana.slatter@leg.wa.gov; larry.springer@leg.wa.gov; chris.stearns@leg.wa.gov; mike.steele@leg.wa.gov; drew.stokesbary@leg.wa.gov; monica.stonier@leg.wa.gov; chipalo.street@leg.wa.gov; jamila.taylor@leg.wa.gov; my-linh.thai@leg.wa.gov; steve.tharinger@leg.wa.gov;  joe.timmons@leg.wa.gov; mike.volz@leg.wa.gov; amy.walen@leg.wa.gov; jim.walsh@leg.wa.gov; kevin.waters@leg.wa.gov; jt.wilcox@leg.wa.gov; sharon.wylie@leg.wa.gov; alex.ybarra@leg.wa.gov

~~~~~~~

Senate Bill 5444, regarding open carry bans passed with a vote of 58-36.  This bill expands so-called “sensitive places” in many publicly accessible areas including public transit stations or facilities, public libraries, zoos, and aquariums. The bill permits firearms in those places with a Concealed Pistol License. 

SB 5444 passed both houses.  Next it heads to the governor's desk for his signature. Send Gov. Inslee an email explaining why he should not sign this bill.  

~~~~~~~~

House Bill 1903 further victimizes otherwise law-abiding gun owners and places the liability on crime victims for theft of their own property by penalizing failing to report missing or stolen firearms within 24 hours.  Send Gov. Inslee an email explaining why he should not sign this bill.  

House Bill 2021 expands the authorized and/or required destruction of firearms acquired from gun buyback programs held by state and local government entities.  It is presently scheduled for a floor vote in the Senate.  

Since the whole state will be affected, we all have the right to contact the whole senate.  So here are their emails:

andy.billig@leg.wa.gov; matt.boehnke@leg.wa.gov; john.braun@leg.wa.gov; annette.cleveland@leg.wa.gov; steve.conway@leg.wa.gov; manka.dhingra@leg.wa.gov; perry.dozier@leg.wa.gov; phil.fortunato@leg.wa.gov; noel.frame@leg.wa.gov; chris.gildon@leg.wa.gov; drew.hansen@leg.wa.gov; bob.hasegawa@leg.wa.gov; brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov; jeff.holy@leg.wa.gov; sam.hunt@leg.wa.gov; claudia.kauffman@leg.wa.gov; karen.keiser@leg.wa.gov; curtis.king@leg.wa.gov; patty.kuderer@leg.wa.gov; marko.liias@leg.wa.gov; liz.lovelett@leg.wa.gov; john.lovick@leg.wa.gov; drew.macewen@leg.wa.gov; jim.mccune@leg.wa.gov; mark.mullet@leg.wa.gov; ron.muzzall@leg.wa.gov; joe.nguyen@leg.wa.gov; twina.nobles@leg.wa.gov; mike.padden@leg.wa.gov; jamie.pedersen@leg.wa.gov; emily.randall@leg.wa.gov; ann.rivers@leg.wa.gov; june.robinson@leg.wa.gov; rebecca.saldana@leg.wa.gov; jesse.salomon@leg.wa.gov; mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov; sharon.shewmake@leg.wa.gov; shelly.short@leg.wa.gov; derek.stanford@leg.wa.gov; nikki.torres@leg.wa.gov; yasmin.trudeau@leg.wa.gov; javier.valdez@leg.wa.gov; kevin.vandewege@leg.wa.gov; keith.wagoner@leg.wa.gov; judy.warnick@leg.wa.gov; lisa.wellman@leg.wa.gov; claire.wilson@leg.wa.gov; jeff.wilson@leg.wa.gov; lynda.wilson@leg.wa.gov; ltgov@ltgov.wa.gov; steve.hobbs@sos.wa.gov

Repeal the income tax initiative, & more

It is worthwhile to have an initiative process like we do in this state.  That way we can introduce People's law to the state government, or review and maybe reverse legislative errors.  The state legislature has been getting out of hand recently.  These initiatives covered here are proposals to reverse or reverse some of the state legislature's more egregious laws.  The legislature may decide to act on these initiative petitions, and avoid public embarrassment of having the People reverse their laws i open election.  Impolite hopes we can encourage them to do what is right.

Initiative 2111 - Concerns taxes on personal income.
Sponsors: People of the State of Washington (not the legislature).

Prohibits the state and local jurisdictions from imposing taxes on any individual person on any form of personal income.  The initiative specifies that "income" has the same meaning as "gross income" as under the federal tax code.
 
If you are "Pro" the initiative, you favor the right of the people to review the legislature's income tax scheme in the general election this fall.

If you would like your position noted for the legislative record on Initiative 2111, click on this link:https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=Senate&mId=32072&aId=160093&caId=24423&tId=3

~~~~~~~~

Initiative 2113 - Concerns vehicular pursuits by peace officers.
Sponsors: People of the State of Washington

Expands authorization for vehicular pursuits by allowing an officer to conduct a vehicular pursuit where there is reasonable suspicion a person has violated the law.

(Current law, as modified by the legislature in 2022, requires "probable cause" for a pursuit.  This has kept police from pursuing an obvious suspect until a court can rule on the pursuit.)

Modifies the risk assessment for vehicular pursuits by providing that an officer may not engage in a vehicular pursuit unless the person poses a threat to the safety of others and the safety risks of failing to apprehend or identify the person are considered to be greater than the safety risks of the vehicular pursuit under the circumstances.

If you are "Pro" the initiative, you favor the right of the people to review the legislature's current, excessive, requirements to enable police pursuit in the general election this fall..

If you would like your position noted for the legislative record on Initiative 2113, click on this link: https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=Senate&mId=32069&aId=160089&caId=24422&tId=3

~~~~~~~~

Initiative 2081 - Concerns parental rights relating to their children's public school education.
Sponsors: People of the State of Washington.

Declares 15 rights that parents and guardians of public school children have, including rights to receive or be notified of academic, medical, safety, and law enforcement matters, rights to examine and inspect certain materials and records, and rights to opt their children out of certain activities.

If you are "Pro" the initiative, you favor the right of the people to review the legislature's current restrictions on informing parents of the welfare of their child in the general election this autumn.

If you would like your position noted for the legislative record on Initiative 2081, click on this link: https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=Senate&mId=32071&aId=160099&caId=24424&tId=3

Anti-Gun Bills Advance Out of Committee

On Monday, February 19th, the Senate Law & Justice Committee held a public hearing on several anti-gun bills. NRA was in Olympia and testified against all three bills. An executive session was held yesterday and the Committee voted along party lines to advance the bill.

The bill will be directed to the Rules Committee where it will be eligible to head to the Senate Floor for final passage. Please contact your Senator now and urge them to OPPOSE these bills by using the Take Action button below.

House Bill 1903 further victimizes otherwise law-abiding gun owners and places the liability on crime victims for theft of their own property by penalizing failing to report missing or stolen firearms within 24 hours.

House Bill 2021 expands the authorized and/or required destruction of firearms acquired from gun buyback programs held by state and local government entities.

House Bill 2118 also referred to as the “FFL Killer” bill, places costly onerous requirements on law-abiding FFLs that could put them at serious risk of going out of business because of the financial burden to comply.

Please click the Take Action button above to ask Senators to OPPOSE these bills.

More anti-gun action in the legislature

On Monday, February 19^th, the Senate Law & Justice Committee will hold a public hearing on several anti-gun bills. The hearings will take place at 10:30am, and you can register to testify in the hearing in-person or remotely by using this testimony page.

If you are unable to attend this hearing, please use the Take Action button to contact the committee members directly and urge them to OPPOSE these bills.

House Bill 1903 further victimizes otherwise law-abiding gun owners and places the liability on crime victims for theft of their own property by penalizing failing to report missing or stolen firearms within 24 hours.

House Bill 2021 expands the authorized and/or required destruction of firearms acquired from gun buyback programs held by state and local government entities.

House Bill 2118 also referred to as the “FFL Killer” bill, places costly onerous requirements on law-abiding FFLs that could put them at serious risk of going out of business because of the financial burden to comply.

Legislature to make life more expensive here

There are  bills in the legislature that will make life more expensive for us, by increasing the price of gas, groceries and housing. Those bills include:

• HB 1589 would ban natural gas in new residential and commercial buildings, increasing the costs of housing, energy and goods in our state. Passed the House on a 52-45 vote.
• HB 2301 would increase garbage bill costs by adding new collection service requirements for residents and businesses related to food and yard waste.
• HB 2401 would increase the costs of refrigerants that are important to food producers and grocers by requiring producers of bulk refrigerants to fund a producer responsibility organization to collect and recycle refrigerant gases. Passed the House 57-40.
• HB 1185 would increase the costs for lightbulbs by expanding lightbulb stewardship responsibility for lighting manufacturers to include all lights, not just mercury-containing lights. Passed the House 52-45.
• HB 1433 would increase the cost of housing by authorizing counties and cities to require, before listing a house for sale, that a home energy score report be obtained. Passed the House 55-42.
• HB 2114 is rent control. It would increase the cost of housing by placing arbitrary limits on rent increases.  It would reduce supply of rentable hosing and ultimately encourage landlords to raise rent by the maximum maximum allowed every year.  Passed the House 54-43.

Fix Washington

 

 

Democrat bill SB 5770 to TRIPLE the increase in property tax

Senate Bill 5770 is absolutely tone-deaf and unnecessary.

People have already consistently spoken against raising property taxes for various reasons. We are in the midst of an economic recession and inflationary cycle, and there is little appetite to bear the load of new property taxes.

What is more troubling is that we already have a housing affordability problem, and this bill will directly impact rental properties to the tune of thousands of dollars per unit, in some casesraising taxes by hundreds of dollars a month. SB 5770 heavily impacts the most vulnerable citizens in our state, those on fixed incomes, the elderly, and those working paycheck to paycheck, barely keeping up with inflationary costs.

When the average cost for a single bedroom apartment in the Puget Sound corridor is nearing $1600, adding another hundred dollars to that is simply unfathomable.

In addition, Impolite should note that Seattle property taxes in the top 5 most expensive in big U.S. cities.  The median property tax paid by Seattle homeowners in 2022 was around $6,800. From 2010 to 2021, the tax had risen by 89% or about $3600.  Incidentally, if you rent, you pay this increase.

~~~~~~~~

Washingtonians are great at keeping our economy rolling along and we deserve to keep as much as we earn!

The state coffers are already full of our hard-earned tax dollars.  We do not need more money to fully fund the already bloated state spending.

Contact your state Senator.  Stop SB 5770.

Gun control by insurance requirement

On Monday, January 29^th, the Senate Law and Justice Committee will hold a public hearing for Senate Bill 5963. The bill that would require gun owners to have a home insurance policy if they own a firearm, even they are renters. This bill will not reduce crime but will only price law abiding gun owners out of home insurance policies, if they can even obtain the coverage. Please contact the members of the committee and urge them to OPPOSE SB 5963.  Or click on the Take Action button below.  Or both.

SB 5963, requires every legal firearm owner to obtain a "residential dwelling policy" that is to be kept wherever the firearm(s) may be stored. The policy is required to cover loss or damage resulting from the accidental or unintentional discharge of a firearm. 

Mandating insurance policies will in no way reduce crime and the illicit use of firearms, as criminals and other prohibited persons could never secure coverage. Instead, this legislation would serve as a barrier to those seeking to exercise their rights, including unknown annual costs. 

SB 5963 could be utilized as a backdoor registration scheme, which would include sensitive personal information on firearm owners, including name, address, phone number and other identifiers. 

Also, given the uncertainty if this type of coverage would even exist, it could put insurance companies in a position of increased pricing on policies based on the types and number of firearms covered. 

This legislation is not rooted in public safety, but instead provides an additional avenue for the Washington State Legislature to harass and burden law-abiding citizens.  The bill is a clear violation of Washington state's constitution "The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired.... (Art1, §24)"

Please contact the members of the Senate Law and Justice Committee and Urge them to OPPOSE SB 5963!

Rent control moves ahead in legislature

Update 2/27/24: HB-2114 - Rent Control is Dead for 2024.  The bill died in committee.

Its beginning to look like Washington state government is going to impose rent control.    There are two, identical rent control proposals filed.  They are House Bill 2114 and Senate Bill 5961.

Many of us have not lived in a place with rent control, so wee don't know about how screwed up rent control makes things.  Quality of housing is ignored under rent control.  So what if you could rent a great place for a good rate if it is not available?  So what if you have a great rent on a place that is in a neighborhood the police don't go to?  Usually rent amounts is inn response to all these factors and more.  

Rent control was the origin of the slums in New York City.  Rents were set to satisfy politicians -- not to solve housing problems. And our legislature is set to try it soon.

Let the legislators know you're onto their game (link).  Rent control is a bad idea.

•     Rent control squeezes housing providers leading to less spending, resulting in lower sales tax revenues for thew state
•     Rent control is proven to reduce investment regardless of any exemptions
•     Rent control is proven to reduce property values
•     Rent control will lower investment and lower property values, which both lower government income.
•     Rent control will significantly reduce the property tax revenues state and local governments collect from housing providers.
•     Local and state governments rely on these property taxes in order to properly address the needs of their residents, lower revenues will reduce quality of life for residents of Washington state while simultaneously making housing affordability more difficult.

Rent control would be a disaster for the people who need housing.

Vote out those legislators who vote for rent control.  Impolite will keep yo posted.

Washington state operating budget graphic

Operating budget ($69.8 billion for 2023-2025)

The 2023-25 operating budget of $69.8 billion funds the day-to-day operations of state government for the two-year period ending Jun 30, 2025. The operating budget will be updated this session to reflect adjustments in state revenues and spending.

~~~~~~~~

Just so you can know what getting soaked looks like....

Gun ban in "sensitive places" passes out of committee

CLICK HERE TAKE ACTION

On Thursday, January 18th, the Senate Law and Justice Committee passed an amended version of Senate Bill 5444, a "sensitive places" expansion bill, out of committee.

The bill has now been referred to the Ways and Means Committee. Please contact your Senator now and ask them to OPPOSE SB 5444 by clicking the TAKE ACTION button above.

Publicly-accessible areas categorized in the bill as "gun-free" zones include:

• Public Parks
• Public Transit
• State and local government buildings
• Public libraries
• Zoos and aquariums

There is no way to insure violent criminals will respect a "sensitive place." So the bill does not include any measures that would protect law-abiding citizens.  The bill does not recognize that words alone make a poor shield.

Olympia - One gun ban passes committee

On Thursday, January 18th, the Senate Law and Justice Committee passed an amended version of Senate Bill 5444, a "sensitive places" expansion bill, out of committee. 

SB 5444 increases “gun-free zones” where law-abiding citizens are left defenseless in publicly accessible areas, including:

• Public parks
• Public transit
• State and local government buildings
• Public libraries, and
• Zoos and aquariums

Nothing in the bill requires these “sensitive places” have any measures to protect citizens and prevent armed criminals from ignoring this arbitrary boundary and entering. 94% of mass shootings occur in these gun free zones, signage is not enough to stop criminals.

During the public hearing on Monday in the Senate Law and Justice Committee, the NRA testified in opposition and challenged the committee’s interpretation that this bill did not apply to the concealed carry of firearms. The NRA’s challenge prevailed, and the committee confirmed that SB 5444 would prohibit concealed carry in the so called "sensitive places" the bill proposes.

Thanks to pressure from the NRA and pro-Second Amendment Senators, during today’s executive session, the committee voted to amend the bill. Concealed Pistol License holders would not be prohibited from carrying concealed in the expanded "sensitive places". This is a big win for law abiding gun owners. However, our work and opposition is not done. The otherwise lawful carry of firearms remains prohibited criminal conduct and must be defeated.

The bill has now been referred to the Ways and Means Committee. Please contact your Senator now and ask them to oppose SB 5444 by clicking the Take Action button below.

 

Anti-Gun Bills Scheduled for Hearings Next Week in Olympia

Democrats in Olympia have proposed new ways to abuse gun owners (and anyone interested in self-defense). 

You can Click Here to Take Action on all bills simultaneously, and tell all the committee members what you think and use the convenient form letter provided. Or you can enter specific comments on individual bills by going to the link provided for each bill, and look for the 'Comment' or 'Testify' links for that bill.

House Bill 1902 and Senate Bill 6004 require individuals obtain a permit with live-fire training to be able to exercise the right to purchase firearms. A similar permitting scheme was recently held unconstitutional by an Oregon judge.

House Bill 1903 further victimizes otherwise law-abiding gun owners and places the liability on crime victims for theft of their own property by penalizing failing to report missing or stolen firearm within 24 hours.

House Bill 2021 and Senate Bill 6001 expand the authorized and/or required destruction of firearms held by state and local government entities.

House Bill 2054 rations Second Amendment rights by limiting firearm dealers from transferring or selling more than one firearm per 30 day period to an individual.

House Bill 2118 seeks to drive gun stores and other licensed firearm dealers out of business by imposing expensive, one-size-fits-all requirements.

Senate Bill 5985 codifies the unconstitutional provisions of Washington’s recent ban on commonly-owned firearms into the section of state code on background checks.  The bill's web page states this bill was requested by the Washington State Patrol.  If you decide to read it, you'll want to know the first 12 pages are all definitions.  The definitions tell us what they will eventually ask to ban.

Meanwhile the Senate: The Senate Law and Justice Committee will hold public hearings on Monday and Tuesday. An executive session and potential vote on the bills is scheduled on January 19^th.

January 15^th at 10:30AM

Senate Bill 5444 increases “gun-free zones” where law-abiding citizens are left defenseless in publicly accessible areas, including parks, public transit, and government buildings. Nothing in the bill requires these “sensitive places” have any measures to protect citizens and prevent armed criminals from ignoring this arbitrary boundary and entering, such as metal detectors, security guards, or a police presence.

January 16^th at 10:30AM

Senate Bill 5985 codifies the unconstitutional provisions of Washington’s recent ban on commonly-owned firearms into the section of state code on background checks.

~~~~~~~~

"I knew those dirty dog Democrats would immediately conduct hearings on A LOT of bad bills this week. It's one of the sneakiest things they do. Before anyone even knows Olympia is up-and-running, Democrats schedule 'public' hearings and pack the room with all the pigs feeding at the trough" ---Tim Eyman.

Olympia proposes rent control (again)

Its hard to believe that our state government can do anything better than the private economy.  We the people have had to live under this legislature laws on stuff like the prohibition of the police from pursuing  a violent criminal, and an increase in spending (and taxation) of $68 billion over the last ten years. Now the legislature is entertaining itself with rent control proposals.  

Impolite is against rent control.  Impolite prefers freedom.

Everywhere rent control has been imposed, rental housing has become more scarce and more expensive.  The implicit assumption of rent control is that landowners are somehow worthless people,  Like any form of class warfare, the underlying assumption is no different in substance than racism.

There are two, identical rent control proposals filed.  They are House Bill 2114 and Senate Bill 5961.

~~~~~~~

Be a citizen, not a subject.  Take a position.

The House Housing Committee hearing on HB 2114 is scheduled for Thursday, January 11 at 8:00 am in the John L. O’Brien Building Room B

To testify in-person, click here
To testify virtually, click here
To submit written testimony, click here
To state opposition to be noted for the legislative record, click here

The Senate Housing Committee hearing on SB 5961 is scheduled for Friday, January 12 at 10:30 am in the JA Cherberg Building Room 4

To testify in-person, click here
To testify virtually, click here
To submit written testimony, click here
To state opposition to be noted for the legislative record, click here

Please note that you must sign in 1 hour before the hearing to testify or provide a position to be placed on legislative record.  After the hearing, you have 24 hours to submit written testimony.

~~~~~~~~

Here is a summary of HB 2114 & SB 5961:

• Data used by the State does not distinguish between single family, multifamily and manufactured housing.
• A month-to-month agreement is more costly than longer term leases. The bill restricts costs increases for both in the same manner.
• Local government policies, ordinances, or other regulations will create patch work across the State of different rules and requirements and cause confusion.
• Older housing stock is treated differently than 10 year or younger housing stock.  Older housing has costs not consistent with new housing.
• Restricts rent increases to 5% once every 12 months.  This is Rent Control.
• Model lease agreement language published by AG but can be modified by local governments.
• Landlord resource center will track landlords and require registration of properties.
• Requires 180 notice for rent increases of more than 3%.  Does not permit electronic notice.
• Rent increases of more than 3% give tenants the right to terminate a lease.
• Combines security deposit with move in fees and both cannot exceed a month’s total rent.
• $10 late rent payment fee limit is imposed.
• Park tenant purchased parks can raise rent, but non-tenant purchased parks cannot raise rent upon purchase date.
• Bill has an emergency clause that permits immediate implementation of the bill requirements.

Trust the science? On carbon-taxing schemes....

Opponents of Washington state's carbon pricing scheme were clear that this policy would drive up fuel costs at the pump at a time when Washingtonians could least afford it. The governor and legislative Democrats argued that any increases would be nominal, however simple math indicated a significant increase of close to 50 cents per gallon for this crony-capitalist shell game, and that's exactly what happened.  

Supporters of this carbon-pricing scam tried gaslight the public and shift blame onto the supposed greed of oil companies. They completely ignored the fact that our neighboring states have had much lower gas prices. 

We learned from a whistleblower that the public may have been purposefully misled about the 'cap-and-tax' program. A long-time and relatively senior state employee who was tasked with calculating the costs says he was pressured to lie about the impact on gas prices, which showed a 45 to 50 cents per gallon increase. He refused to lie and appears was retaliated against and forced from his job.

Watch the KING 5 story by clicking here. 

During Governor Inslee's tenure, state agencies have been plagued by serious mismanagement. This isn't the first time and likely not the last where the uniparty state will try to hide the truth from the public. 

  -- Phil Fortunato