Olympia report this week.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Inslee's new COVID restrictions

Sunday morning 

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

Other restrictions are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Will transparency in government ever win?

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

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

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

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

And on go the perpetual legal proceedings.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wait, what?

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

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

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

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

(Freedom Foundation)

Olympia post election report

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Olympia report

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Boeing announces more job cuts  (My Northwest)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More phoney COVID restrictions

Inslee and the Democrats are trying to lock us down, claiming they are saving lives from COVID  (Washington State Department of Health).  Why can't we adults control our own lives, mindful that we have a responsibility not to  recklessly endanger our neighbors? 

Of course, enlightened advice is welcome.  But where do the authoritarian Democrats get the idea they need to order us around? 

So we are supposed to think that imprisoning people in the name of their health is morally better than the disease of authoritarian rule.

Can we compare the death rates due to a pandemic and authoritarian rule.

Lets examine the death rate due to the Spanish flu of 1917 to the death rate due to authoritarianism.  Anti-freedom politics killed as many as the flu pandemic in the 20th Century.  50-56 million lives were lost in the war against authoritarianism in  the WW2.  About 50 million people died from the flu.

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Conclusion:  Authoritarianism like the Democrats are doing is just as dangerous to human life as natural disasters like Covid 19.
 

Olympia news this week

Taxes are high. Remember to vote  (Washington Policy Center)

Democrats will be more emboldened to enact a state capital gains income tax during the 2021 legislative session.  A capital gains tax is only a precursor to a general income tax.  WashingtonsState does not have one of those, yet....

Talks about a state income tax continue to intensify – Jay Inslee is expected to include a state capital gains income tax as part of his 2021-23 budget proposal in December. 

Given the stakes, it has never been more important to vote. Election Day is a mere one week away. Remember to vote and, once you mail your ballot, check its status by visiting votewa.gov, entering your name and birthdate, and clicking on the Ballot Status button.

Just a handful of votes can mean the difference between tax-control Republicans holding a state Senate seat or losing a seat. Losing state Senate seats will have severe consequences for the future of our state. Washington.
        
Inslee insists on new taxes in exchange for affordable car tabs (Washington Policy Center)

The Washington State Supreme Court struck down voter-approved Initiative 976, meaning the $30 car tab will not stand.  Jay Inslee – a fierce opponent of the voter-approved measure – celebrated the decision. 

However, Inslee did say he is “open to reforming the car tab system.” There is an important catch – Inslee would only consider reforms “in combination with a way to replace funds that would otherwise make it impossible for us to keep our bridges from falling in the rivers and potholes taking over I-5 and keeping our buses ready.” 

In other words, Inslee will insist on spending whatever he wishes on whatever he wants, meanwhile holding highway maintenance hostage.  In Inslee's world, affordable car tabs can be offset only with new taxes on hardworking Washingtonians.  Does Governor Inslee care?
        
Kim Wyman reassured public of electoral security  (My Northwest)

Washington State Secretary of State Kim Wyman confirmed that 25% of state voters already returned their ballots for the upcoming general election as of Wednesday. 

Following an announcement by Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, Wyman also released a statement warning of “foreign adversaries” who are “working around the clock to interfere in U.S. elections and undermine confidence in the electoral process.” 

Secretary Wyman's office is working with the Federal Department of Homeland Security and the FBI to monitor threats and ensure electoral security. 

Check your own voting status at the VoteWA website. 
        
Record number of Seattle police officers quit (My Northwest)

Seattle Democrats’ blatant hostility toward police officers has resulted in severe consequences to public safety. 

Seattle police officers are demoralized and harassed, and leaving their jobs in record numbers. Nearly 40 police officers left the Seattle Police Department in September – the average is usually 5 to 7 exits.  The number of exits is expected to increase significantly by the end of the year. 

Many officers cited the “total lack of respect and support” from Seattle Democrats as the reason for their departure. 

With crime skyrocketing and police officers leaving, residents and business owners are “begging city leaders for help.”  

Unfortunately, given Seattle Democrats’ disregard for basic public safety, that does not appear likely to happen.

Olympia report this week

State Supreme Court strikes down $30 car tabs (Seattle Times)

Nearly one year after voters passed the initiative, the Washington Supreme Court struck down I-976 to reduce car-tab taxes. The court’s decision means state and local car-tab taxes – including sky-high car tabs in counties like King County – will remain at current levels.

The court appears to have based their decision on the anti-democracy belief that voters are not smart enough to read the initiative and understand it properly. Voter passed I-976 with about 53% of the vote statewide.

Republican Sen. Steve O’Ban plans to introduce legislation to make the $30 car tab a reality during the 2021 legislative session. 

$30 car tabs would be good for the people and in line with the peoples' voting, so Good Luck! with that.
        
State spending to increase by 20% from 2017-19 (Washington Policy)

According to the Washington Policy Center’s Jason Mercier the current revenue forecast indicates state spending “will still be substantially higher than the 2017-19 budget.” With a current 2019-21 budget at $53.7 billion, forecasts project a 20% increase in spending ($9 billion) from the 2017-19 budget of $44.7 billion.

Even with a $2 billion reduction in spending to balance the state budget, “state spending would still be increasing by 16% from 2017-19 levels. Taxes are going to increase.

Of course, Jay Inslee and Democrats refuse to convene a special session despite the pressing problem they created with their out-of-control tax-and-spend approaches. But, as Mercier points out, with smart budgeting tactics, all hope is not lost.
        
Report calls state’s Employment Security Department a “failure” (My Northwest)

Working Washington – a left of center group – agrees that the state Employment Security Department (ESD) is a bureaucratic failure in a new report. 

Bureaucratic incompetence has resulted in 20,000 people still waiting to see if they qualified for unemployment benefits. 

With so many out of work due to COVID-19 shutdowns, many Washingtonians have been struggling to meet day-to-day expenses. 

Their struggles have been made worse by months long incompetence by the state Employment Security Department (ESD). 

Of course, the ESD has yet to face any accountability for losing hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars to preventable fraud.

It remains unlikely that Jay Inslee and his fellow Democrats will lift a finger to address major issues exhibited by the Employment Security Department government agency.
        
Attacks on Seattle police officers intensify (My Northwest)

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) has arrested a suspect who set fire to a police vehicle while an officer was still inside. The officer was transported to Harborview Medical Center with non-life-threatening burns. 

It’s clear that – due to Democrats’ disrespect of law enforcement – criminals are emboldened to attack police officers openly.

Of course, Seattle Democrats have already defunded the SPD. Their plan reduces the force by 100 police officers, cuts wages, and even eliminates Navigation Teams, resources dedicated to managing and assisting the homeless population.

Democrats & Socialists’ move to defund the police occurred despite severe shortages in police resources.

Washington State imPolite ballot recommendations

America's free and open elections are part of the promise of this country.  We ought to cast our ballot carefully and wisely.

We the People have the right to hold political opinion that may vary from our leaders.  We have the right to assemble and freedom of the press so we can make our opinion heard.  We have the right to be armed so we can protect ourselves from those who might clamp down on our freedom. Tolerance of dissent is required.

The election process is far neater than the alternative of mob rule.  Free elections are better than a totalitarian election, which are no choice at all.

We must guard against believing in our elected leaders too much.  Candidates who offer bliss and love cannot possibly be able to deliver.  Evaluate your candidates carefully.

We have.  Washington State Impolite recommends these votes:

State Election

Loren Culp, for Governor.  To work for the People, not Jay Inslee's special interests.

Joshua Freed, write-in for Lieutenant Governor.  To stop raising taxes, help those afflicted by drug addiction and focus on trade and economic development

Matt Larkin, for Attorney General.    To keep our communities safe.  Bob Ferguson has done a lousy job.

Kim Wyman, for Secretary of State.  Incumbent : She has 27 years of integrity keeping election results secure.

Duane Davidson, for State Treasurer.  Incumbent: Davidson has a long career as a public treasurer and government financ.

Chris Leyba, for Auditor.  Leyba has 11-year experience as police detective and law enforcement auditor

Maia Espinoza, for Superintendent of Public Instruction.  Washington State  must act now for genuine innovation in public education.

Sue Kuehl Pederson, for Public Lands Commissioner.  Pederson's qualifying experience includes  Fisheries Biologist, UW, NOAA Fisheries, Army Corps of Engineers (WA, OR, AK); Power Manager, Grays Harbor PUD; Senior Power Analyst, Seattle City Light; Senior Environmental Analyst, Seattle City Light; Research Scientist/Publications Manager, BioSonics, Inc.

Washington State Supreme Court Judges

Impolite's recommends the replacement of the entire panel of incumbents judges on the Washington Supreme Court. But only two judgeships are contested, so only those have Impolite recommendations.   

The full court reversed the People's decision to reduce car tabs (KING5), stating the People were "confused" about the meaning of the initiate.  Thus the entire, existing panel took an intolerable position against democracy.  According to them, we the People are confused by our own policies.

David Larson (not the incumbent) for Position 3 

Richard Serms (not the incumbent) for Position 6

State Referendum

Reject R 90 ("reject" is a no vote) -- Protect children as young as Kindergarten from exposure to "comprehensive" sex education -- most five year olds are too young to comprehend.  Sex education should not be taught to children younger than about 13 or 14 years.

There is more about R 90  at Ballotpedia.  Also see the Courier-Herald editorial. 

Other state ballot measures 

Impolite is against pointless tax increases which seem designed only to increase misery on people.

Impolite urges that on Advisory Vote 32, S 32, the retail bag tax, be Repealed;
on Advisory Vote 33, heavy equipment rental tax be Repealed;
on Advisory Vote 34 the increase tax on Business and Occupancy be Repealed;
on Advisory Vote 35, the increased tax on aircraft production be Repealed.  This increase in production taxes is probably the reason why Boeing is taking some aircraft production out of state. Bye-bye jobs.

The proposed constitutional amendment, SJR 8212, should be rejected.  SJR 8212 would allow the state to own private assets via funds the private legislators in fact control.  This is the clear path to corruption.

Federal Election

President

Donald J. Trump, incumbent.  This is his list of promises made, & promises kept.

US House of Representatives

Jaime Herrera Beutler, for 3rd district, incumbent congresswoman.
Dan Newhouse, for 4th district, incumbent.  President Trump recently signed Dan Newhouse's Bill to protect indigenous women
Jesse Jansen, for 8th district.  Values of family, community, and hard work.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers, for 5th district.  Incumbent and proven representative for Eastern Washington

Democrats still won't debate

Democrats are trying to deny Washingtonians the time-honored opportunity to hear directly from them in a live debate.

First, Governor Jay Inslee refused to debate in person and now Kim Schrier is flat-out ignoring Jesse Jensen’s multiple attempts to schedule a debate.

We all know that a debate is the best way to stack up candidates’ visions and platforms so you can decide who best represents you before you cast your ballot – and after what we’ve seen from Democrats so far, I can’t say I am surprised they are afraid to defend their radical record.

We want safety and security, but Democrats want to defund the police.

We want transparency and limited government, but Democrats want to pass bills raising taxes in the middle of the night.

We want what’s good for our communities, but Democrats only want what’s good for them and their special interests.

-- Kyle Fischer