Washington State reflection

Crisis demands governor cancel raises ( Seattle Times )

The Seattle Times Editorial Board issued a strong call for Jay Inslee to take bold action and cancel planned state employee raises. They noted that more than 500,000 Washingtonians lost jobs due to COVID-19 restrictions and the state must make similar sacrifices.

Estimates are that canceling the 3% raises scheduled for next month would save nearly $800 million and they note it should be one of the “easiest” and “most obvious” decisions when addressing the looming budget shortfall.
       
Inslee displays failed leadership to the nation ( Fox News Network )

Jay Inslee – once again – made national news for his failed leadership of Washington State. During a press conference on Wednesday, Inslee claimed he did not know that about six-blocks of the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle had been taken over by anarchists.

This occurred after Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan forced police to abandon the east precinct on Monday. Whether or not Inslee knows about the “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone” does not appear to make a difference. Inslee does not appear capable, or willing, to restore law and order despite a 3x increase in 911 calls from the area.
       
ESD failed to act on unemployment fraud warnings in April ( KING 5 )

Federal agents warned Washington’s Employment Security Department (ESD) about unemployment fraud in mid-April, according to a top law officer. Given the new information, it appears that the ESD did not act on warning that resulted in the loss of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.

United States Attorney Brian T. Moran said federal agents knew of “fraudulent claims filed on behalf of public service workers, and public service workers at that time were not employed” and warned the ESD in April. ESD officials defend their incompetency stating it was “too soon to tell that massive fraud schemes were unfolding.”
       
CHAZ demands reveal far-left, unconstitutional agenda ( Heritage Foundation )

Anarchists in the “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone” have a long list of demands. These include defunding the police 100%, abolishing courts and imprisonment, retrying all people of color convicted of violent offenses, banning evictions, socializing medicine, and more.

Despite the foolishness, Seattle leaders are sympathetic and even actively support the demands. Fortunately, as the Heritage Foundation points out, these demands are not only dangerous, they are unconstitutional. Seattle leaders and anarchists will have to take on the Constitution to accomplish their far-left objectives.
       
Schools are expected to re-open in fall 2020 ( My Northwest )

Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal released a plan to reopen schools across the state this fall. He stated that classes will resume in person for students. Previously, Reykdal faced public backlash after insinuating school closures would continue into the fall of 2020.

Guidelines for reopening include daily health screenings for staff and students, practicing social distancing “as much as possible”, and staggering mealtimes in school cafeterias. At-risk students will be accommodated virtually.