Hearings On Gun Bills This Week

It is a busy week in Olympia as authoritarians plot how to restrict our civil rights of self defense.  Some of the bills are protective of gun owners, but many are just extra regulations.  One, SB 6077, is actually evil, as formerly lawful gun products would suddenly become illegal to possess.

There are hearings scheduled.

Senate Law & Justice Hearings

Monday January 20^th, 10:00AM-12:00PM

Testimony will be limited to one minute per person, with SB 6294 and 6347 being heard together, and SB 6402 and 6406 being heard together.

Senate Bill 6077 would ban the manufacture, possession, sale, transfer, etc. of standard capacity magazines that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition. This measure is strongly supported by the Governor and the Attorney General.

Senate Bill 6294 would impose government red tape and expensive training requirements in order to obtain a Concealed Pistol License.

Senate Bill 6347 would extend the expiration date for a Concealed Pistol License from 5 to 7 years with voluntary proof of completing a basic firearm safety course. 

Senate Bill 6402 also provides increased punishment for the illegal use of a stolen firearm. Under this bill, it would be a Class A Felony for a person, while committing a felony, to discharge a stolen firearm, or use the stolen firearm to threaten or menace another person.

Senate Bill 6406 provides that the theft of a firearm from a residence, shop, or sales outlet is a Class B Felony. This bill rightly focuses on the illegal actions of criminals, instead of targeting law abiding gun owners.

Tuesday, January 21^st, 10:00AM-12:00PM

Senate Bill 6288 would create an Office of Firearm Violence Prevention within the Executive Branch of the state government. Governor Jay Inslee and his administration have already made it clear where they stand on Second Amendment issues—they routinely sponsor and support gun ban legislation and initiatives designed to disarm law-abiding citizens. This office would be nothing more than a tax-payer funded lobby group whose sole purpose is to erode self-defense rights in Washington.

Senate Bill 6163 would strip Second Amendment rights from individuals charged, but not convicted, of a felony DUI. Constitutional rights should only be restricted with sufficient due process of law. Due process limits restrictions on constitutional rights to only serious convictions and adjudications that provide procedural protections to the accused, which results in more reliable proceedings. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms should not be treated as a second-class right and should only be restricted when sufficient protections are in place.

House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee Hearing

Tuesday, January 21st, 10:00AM-12:00PM

Testimony will be limited to 90 seconds per person and HB 2240 and 2241 will be heard together.

House Bill 2240 would ban the manufacture, possession, sale, transfer, etc. of magazines that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition. This measure is strongly supported by the Governor and the Attorney General, and is the companion bill to Senate Bill 6077 that is being heard in Senate Law & Justice on Monday, January 21^st.

House Bill 2241 would ban certain semi-automatic rifles and magazines that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition. HB 2241, like its predecessors, would do nothing to impact crime or keep Washingtonians safer.

House Bill 2519 would ban online sales of ammunition, and potentially require background checks for all ammunition purchases. This bill comes on the heels of California’s failed ammunition background check system and is being supported by the Attorney General.

House Bill 1374 would abolish Washington’s decades old state preemption statute, allowing localities to pass any gun control measures they see fit. The hearing will be held on a substitute bill that has not yet been released. 

House Bill 1315 would require onerous government red tape and further training to obtain a Concealed Pistol License. The hearing will be held on a substitute bill that has not yet been released.

State Senator O’Ban proposes new plan to save Pierce County from high car tabs
Given more than 66 percent of Pierce County voters approved I-976 and a majority rejected ST3, Republican State Senator Steve O’Ban (28th LD) will push legislation that would allow Pierce County to exit from Sound Transit’s Regional Transit Authority with respect to light rail during the 2020 legislative session. O’Ban calls the legislation his “Trexit” bill. O’Ban’s move comes as the future of the $30 car tab measure remains undetermined.

Study shows U.S. would lose billions by breaching the lower Snake River dams  (duh)
The Pacific Northwest Waterways Association conducted an independent study on the impacts on transportation and infrastructure caused by breaching the lower Snake River dams. They found that it would lead to higher rail rates to move freight and would impact air quality substantially, saying, “Loss of dams would also significantly increase carbon emissions and impacts to fragile economies.” Overall, the study concluded that dam removal would cost the U.S. over $2.3 billion dollars.

Income tax on capital gains
Explanatory note:  Capital gain is the income (or loss) people get for risking money on an investment.  Any people who invest their money rather than spending it on consumption have capital gains. State proposals include gains made on house sales.

Public records reveal what officials at Washington’s Department of Revenue (DOR) have been saying about the state capital gains income tax proposal. Documents reveal DOR officials acknowledge that the federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) classifies the capital gains tax as an income tax. The public records requests – courtesy of the Washington Policy Center’s Jason Mercier – also reveal how DOR officials are preparing to combat legal arguments against potential state capital gains income tax proposals.

WSDOT overcharged drivers using SR 99 tunnel
According to the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT), more than 1,500 vehicles were overcharged using the SR 99 tunnel from Nov. 9, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2019. The cars were overcharged 25 cents due to a “technical glitch” involving an extra “photo-enforced fee.” Public records reveal the fee was refunded 1,518 times from Nov. 9 to Dec. 31. WSDOT officials claim refunds will be automatic.

Olympia plans assault on gun owners in 2020

The Washington State Legislature convened for its 2020 Legislative Session today, and anti-gun lawmakers have already scheduled a tentative public hearing on numerous gun control bills.  If you are able, please make plans to attend the Senate Law and Justice Committee hearing on Monday, January 20, at 10:00am.

While the agenda hasn’t been finalized, it is expected that the committee will hear the following anti-gun proposals:

Senate Bill 6077 seeks to ban the manufacture, possession, sale, transfer, etc. of standard capacity magazines that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition.  This restrictive measure is strongly supported by Governor Jay Inslee and the Attorney General Bob Ferguson, and would severely limit your ability to defend yourself in a self-defense situation.

Senate Bill 5434, sponsored by Senator Claire Wilson (D-30), would increase prohibited areas where law-abiding citizens cannot possess firearms, including CPL holders carrying for self-defense. The bill extended “gun-free zones” to public parks, libraries, and child care centers before being amended to only apply to child care centers. Anti-gun Senators can easily amend the bill to add more areas when it comes up for vote. Your voice is needed in this critical fight for our freedom and safety. 

CPL Red Tape Bill, while this bill has not yet been filed and given a number, it is expected to increase government red tape and training requirements in order to obtain a Concealed Pistol License. This will be a different bill than the carryover bill heard in 2019.

No politician who respects the People would ever try to complicate their right to be armed

Breaching the Snake River Dams

by Rep. Dan Newhouse

The recently released Lower Snake River Dam Stakeholder Engagement Report, (in pdf) the product of a $750,000 state-funded study on breaching the federally-owned and operated Snake River dams, will be the subject of a public workshop in Tri-Cities on January 13

 

This report, which was drafted over the past year, concludes that "there are differing perspectives" and "more information is needed" on the dam breaching issue. Anybody in Washington state could have told you that. Instead, this study spent three-quarters of a million dollars that could have been used to directly support salmon recovery efforts. 

 

I encourage the people of Central Washington to attend the public workshop on January 13 at the Pasco Red Lion from 6:00PM - 9:00PM. We understand how critical these dams are to our area and realize the impact they have on our daily lives - from clean and affordable energy they provide to the well-paying jobs and investment in our local economies. 

Without these dams, our region - and the state of Washington - would not be what it is today, and we must make our voices heard. While the workshops will not allow for public testimony, public comments are accepted online and in writing until January 24. Find more information about how to submit comments here.

Weekly Olympia Watch

House Democrats' hostile action on charter schools

The Democrat controlled state House Education Committee appears to be preparing a hostile move against charter school families this legislative session. During a recent work session, Democrats committee members referred to charter schools as a “pilot project”. Democrat Committee chair Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos even falsely blamed the closure of Ashe Preparatory Academy on the state Charter School Commission. The Washington State charter school statute is up for re-authorization this year. With Democrats in the hands of the powerful, charter school hating WEA union, the future of our state’s charter school law is precarious.

Olympia Democrat policies continue to devastate rural and coastal Washington

Unemployment stats for November showed Grays Harbor County remained the fourth highest for jobless workers in the state. At a rate of 7.1%, only Ferry, Pend Orielle, and Pacific have higher rates. Democrats continue to create an environment that prevents job creation in rural Washington. We hope the majority will take up policies like Sen. O’Ban’s job tax credit bill which help encourage job growth outside of Puget Sound.

WA residents push for recall of Attorney General Ferguson 

Two Washington state residents are one step closer to obtaining a recall vote for Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson. Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court gave the go-ahead for a hearing that could lead for a statewide recall vote. Ultimately, King County Superior Court Judge Bill Bowman will determine whether or not the charges brought against Ferguson are sufficient for a ballot recall initiative. The charges brought against Ferguson pertain to questionable conflict of interest actions.

Advocates for dam destruction manipulate data

In a recent blog post, the Washington Policy Center’s Todd Myers exposes how advocates for the destruction of the Snake River dams manipulate data to support claims the dams impact salmon and steelhead negatively. Advocates for dam destruction allege declines in salmon and steelhead returns, blaming the Snake River dams. Myers – through the use of data – explains how the declines are a long term regional problem, and not a sudden onset.

Stop the madness - restore democracy

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source links:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charter schools outperform public schools in latest test scores

Washington students on NAEP test drop again

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

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

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

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

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

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

Government unionization and the Attorney General

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

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

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

Elections -- Watching the Results

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

Sen. Maureen Walsh announces retirement after 28 years of service

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

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

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

Spokane voters agree with open, transparent union negotiations

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

Spokane voters make a local income tax impossible

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

Washington voters likely reject affirmative action referendum

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

State Elections Update

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

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

Statewide measures:

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

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

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

~~~~Other matters ~~~~

State Supreme Court to hear Seattle income tax suit

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

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

State Supreme Court ruling applies law retroactively

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