Washington State Week

Thousands of Washingtonians still waiting for unemployment benefits

About 30,000 Washingtonians are still waiting to receive their unemployment benefits – that hasn’t stopped the state Employment Security Department (ESD) from claiming to have cleared their backlog of unpaid claims.

According to a new KUOW report, many people have been left waiting for months. Of course, the ESD’s backlog is largely the result of the loss of hundreds of millions in stolen taxpayer dollars. The ESD claims to have recovered $365 million.

Employment Security Department is run by officials appointed by Jay Inslee whose main claim to fame is raising thousands for dollars for Democrats. Inslee refuses to fire someone who has raised so much money to keep him and his allies in office.

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Idaho and Oregon governors call for special session (Gov. Inslee Won't)

The governors of Idaho and Oregon have called special sessions to deal with pressing issues related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Though state Republican lawmakers called for a special session repeatedly, Jay Inslee refuses to comply.   Inslee’s won't call a special session despite the state’s massive budget shortfalls.

Democrat lawmakers also refuse to work with Republicans to override Inslee’s decision (which would require a legislative supermajority vote), and return for a special session .