Inslee's economic shutdown is not healthy

Doctors wrote to warn The Coronavirus Shutdown will lead to “exponentially growing heath consequences”

Beer leads to power abuse?

The doctors' letter outlines a variety of consequences that the doctors have observed resulting from the coronavirus shutdown.
Consequences include patients missing routine checkups that could detect things like heart problems or cancer, increases in substance and alcohol abuse, and increases in financial instability that could lead to “[p]overty and financial uncertainty,” which “is closely linked to poor health.”
“We are alarmed at what appears to be the lack of consideration for the future health of our patients,” the doctors say in their letter. “The downstream health effects … are being massively under-estimated and under-reported. This is an order of magnitude error.”

Olympia weekly report

The first three items are about Gub Inslee's edicts.  The underlying question is why we are letting him make edicts as if they are law?  Do we really have no regard for their own freedom?

Inslee retracts controversial reopening requirement for restaurants

Jay Inslee retracted his highly controversial requirement that restaurants log the name, address, and phone number of all their customers when they reopen. He is now asking customers to provide personal information voluntarily. Inslee received national attention for his shocking invasion of Washingtonians’ privacy. The widespread pushback against this invasion of basic rights led him to rethink this rule.

Inslee: Phase 2 starting on June 1 not likely

Governor Inslee’s reopening strategy remains ambiguous weeks after first announcing a phased approach. Based on a projected three-week buffer between each phase, Washington state would enter into Phase 2 on June 1. Phase 2 would allow “expanded outdoor recreation, additional construction, manufacturing, domestic services, limited in-store retail shopping, real estate sales, professional services, nail salons, barbers, pet grooming, and restaurants” to reopen. According to Inslee, that will not likely happen. Inslee said, “It cannot be set in stone, and the reason is the virus is the one that will ultimately determine when it’s safe for us to move to Phase 2.” The harm to small businesses and our economy as a whole continues.

Inslee’s decision to stop elective surgeries result in medical staff furloughs

Major hospitals in the Seattle area must furlough employees due to large financial hits brought about by Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 policies. The Tacoma-based medical system, MultiCare, will furlough approximately 6,000 employees for 17 days. Overlake Medical Center had to furlough 150 employees. UW Medicine announced a “projected $500 million financial loss over the next few months.” Major losses in revenue are due to Inslee’s decision to stop elective surgeries (resulting in a 30-40% reduction in revenue at Overlake Medical Center). And, losses brought about by medically necessary missed visits, scans, tests, and operations that never occurred.

Superintendent Reykdal denies funding to 780 families

Washington state superintendent of schools Chris Reykdal will cut off state funding for families who are dealing with school closures by sending their children to public, state-approved, and fully accredited online schools. Reykdal’s decision will impact 780 children across the state who enrolled in online schools since the COVID-19 shutdowns occurred. According to the Washington Policy Center, state law provides “students who transfer to a public online school will not lose their state funding.” Yet, Reykdal indicated transfer students will not receive funding. Instead, their funding will be sent to their old school districts.

Olympia Weakly Report

Judge rules Democrats’ bank tax unconstitutional

In 2019, Democrat state lawmakers passed a bank tax increase. Democrats rushed the tax to the floor on the last day of session. Despite warnings from Republicans—and a handful of Democrats—Jay Inslee signed the bill into law. Republican Sen. Braun warned of the lack of meaningful public vetting and legal analysis as the bill never received any while in committee. On Friday, a King County Superior Court Judge ruled the tax increase unconstitutional. The judge ruled that the tax violates the “dormant commerce clause as it was discriminatory in its effects on the specified financial institutions.”
       
State refuses transparency on unemployment fund

State officials remain evasive about the amount left in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. As the Washington Policy Center’s Mark Harmsworth points out, record payouts resulting in the highest jobless rate since the Depression for the leaves no doubt that the unemployment fund is being rapidly depleted. Yet, the state refuses to be transparent. The ongoing shutdown adds up to a “multibillion-dollar problem for the state.” Harmsworth writes, “Legislators and the public need accurate information so they can start addressing the fix.”
       
Inslee’s reopening plan remains largely ambiguous

The rules will allow retail stores to resume very limited operations during Jay Inslee’s “Phase 1” of reopening our state’s economy. The new rules “allows employees to return to work but doesn’t let customers in the stores to shop.” Customers will be able to order products online or over the phone and pick-up via the curbside. Inslee is also allowing landscapers and dog walkers to resume working. Details of Inslee’s reopening plan—e.g. indications of when other small businesses can resume operations—remain largely unknown.
       
New lawsuit alleges PDC ignored union’s violations of campaign finance laws

The Freedom Foundation is once again suing the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) in Thurston County Superior Court over its “failure to hold labor unions accountable for breaking state election laws.” The lawsuit comes after the PDC dismissed a December 2018 complaint filed by the Freedom Foundation “alleging the Amalgamated Transit Union Legislative Council of Washington (ATULC) failed to register with the PDC as a political committee and disclose its political expenditures.” The Freedom Foundation seeks to prove that the unfounded dismissal is just another action—in a long list of actions—that provides evidence of PDC staff willing letting unions off despite serious violations to campaign finance laws.

Olympia weekly report

 Inslee lifts some restrictions on private construction work

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

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

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

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

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

State Supreme Court rejects lawsuit seeking early prison release

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

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

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

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

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

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

Olympia weekly report 20200419

GOP leaders propose a plan to reopen state economy

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

Inslee must produce a plan to reopen state economy

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

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

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

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

Olympia weekly report 20200407

State Supreme Court refuses Seattle tax case

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

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

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

Inslee issues budget cuts, doesn’t go far enough

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

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

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

Some property taxpayers to receive extension

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

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

State Supreme Court to decide on $30-tab injunction

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

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

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Parents for Safe Schools needs your help to get Referendum 90 on the ballot! Because of our current social distancing measures, collecting signatures at events has become impossible. It's more important than ever that we all do our part to collect signatures in our neighborhoods. Click here to request signature collection forms and to make a contribution.

Olympia Weekly Report 20200330

Public records reveal Democrats’ plan to impose state income tax

Recent results from legislative public records revealed Democrats plan to use their proposal for a state capital gains income tax to set up a lawsuit in hopes of establishing a state income tax without a constitutional amendment. One Democrat lawmaker wrote in an email, “This will give the Supreme Court the opportunity to revisit its bad decisions from 1934 and 1951 that income is property and will make it possible, if we succeed, to enact a progressive income tax with a simple majority vote.” The Washington Policy Center’s Jason Mercier presents more evidence in his latest article.

Republicans call on Inslee to overturn statewide plastic bag ban amid COVID-19

Republican State Sen. Doug Ericksen (R-Ferndale) is calling for Jay Inslee to overturn a ban on plastic bags recently passed by Democrats during the 2020 legislative session. Democrats’ recent power overreach carries problematic sanitation concerns during the COVID-19 crisis. Mainly, the increased likelihood of spreading the virus via reusable bags compared with plastic bags. Ericksen told KTTH’s Jason Rantz, “Now what we’re finding out plastic bags are one of the things that you want to use to help slow or stop the spread of the coronavirus.”

Inslee’s “non-essential” business ambiguity adds more chaos for construction industry

Jay Inslee’s shelter in place order considers construction as a non-essential business – the high-level of ambiguity associated with his decision has left the industry in chaos. His decision has far-reaching implications for local homebuilders across the states. Joel White, executive officer for Spokane Home Builders Association, told the Spokesman-Review, “The real impact is really on homeowners and the community and the tax base… There are homeowners who were planning on moving in their homes for two weeks and have already sold their existing homes. Now they are left in limbo.”

Resources available to hurting businesses and workers

Businesses and workers across Washington State feel the impact of COVID-19. Those experiencing ongoing economic fallout should understand all emergency relief resources available, including government and relief agency services. Washington State’s COVID-19 resource page for businesses and workers can be found here. Additionally, a recent article in the Seattle Times provides a full list of resources to help hurting businesses and workers.

COVID19 gun store closures

Gov. Inslee’s March 23^rd executive order directs all Washingtonians to stay home, except for “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers.” This category does not include workers of firearm and ammunition businesses, meaning gun stores across the state could be shut down.

On March 27^th, state Senator Lynda Wilson delivered letters to Governor Jay Inslee explaining why it is essential that citizens are able to access their Second Amendment rights during the COVID-19 crisis. One letter was signed by 46 state lawmakers and the other was signed by 15 law enforcement officials from across the state. Click here to view the letters and see if your legislators, sheriff, or police chief signed.

“Some things don’t stop because of COVID-19, and unfortunately, one of those is crime. Governor Inslee can’t assume criminals will honor his stay-at-home order – he’s aware that a state trooper gave his life on Tuesday while trying to apprehend a suspected criminal who obviously wasn’t staying home,” said Senator Wilson.

 Because Initiative 594 criminalized private sales of firearms and severely restricted transfers, the closing of gun stores will make it nearly impossible for citizens to give or sell a firearm to friends, extended family, or others seeking to exercise their right to self-defense.

More taxes, more spending, no answers

State government (taxing and) spending of your money won't abate in the next couple of years.  That's the plan in Olympia's current budget.

Graphical representation of the history of Washington State's tax hunger:

See http://fiscal.wa.gov/

We are getting soaked.  Your individual share of the tax burden will be $7,814.63. That number is the result of the total taxes in the budget ($56,953,000,000) divided by the number of all Washington residents (~7,288,000 people).  

We are on the edge of a a massive setback to our economy due to the Corona virus.  This budget, based on  massive tax increase, is the Democrats' answer.  But taxing and spending never have solved problems.  This budget is the Democrats' way of avoiding any real work.

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For additional historical perspective, note that the total budget of the entire United States government was under $100,000,000,000 per annum in 1961.

Weekly Olympia Report

The 2020 legislative session concludes

An unpredictably tumultuous legislative session concluded last week. A global pandemic changed to course of the 2020 session, yet the highlights are worth reviewing. Democrat leadership refused to even hear testimony on proposals that would ban Title Only bills. Democrat lawmakers also signaled their intent to push for a future state income tax, filing a brief seeking to overturn established caselaw on the first day of session.

Bipartisan transportation budget includes no new taxes

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle approved a transportation budget last week, avoiding cuts to road projects and transit services. Projects placed on hold by Jay Inslee following the passage of I-976 – the $30 car tab measure – will resume. The $10.4 billion transportation budget pulls funds from existing budgets. Despite budget surpluses, Democrats will likely attempt to hike taxes to fund transportation projects during the next legislative session.

Democrats pass supplemental state budget, includes record-high spending

Democrat’s final supplemental budget plan adds about one billion dollars in spending to the already record-high $52.5 billion state budget [a 20% increase from the last biennium.] Democrats’ plan places nearly $900 million of the $1.5 billion surplus into a rainy-day fund. Originally, Democrats sought to spend nearly all the surplus money. The proposal passed along [caucus] lines. All Republicans and Sen. Sheldon voted against the plan.

News Tribune Editorial Board calls on Inslee to veto union-backed state employee info bill

The Tacoma News Tribune Editorial Board is calling on Governor Inslee to veto HB 1888 when it arrives on his desk. The bill, in the name of privacy, makes it harder for groups like The Freedom Foundation to request state employee information with birth dates so they can contact them about opting out of union membership and dues. Democrats argue that this is simply protecting employees from harassment but the TNT rightly calls them out for blatantly doing the bidding of their union benefactors.