Olympia Weekly

Inslee slams responsible calls for special session following new restrictions (My Northwest)

Jay Inslee’s new COVID-19 lockdown mandates will deliver another blow to small businesses and families – but he refuses to develop the plans needed to deal with the repercussions.

Once again, Republican lawmakers called on Inslee to convene a special session. Inslee’s response was shocking. He said there is “no reason for that because he hasn’t heard anything specific coming from the Republicans to warrant a special session.”

As Rep. Drew MacEwen (R-Union) told KTTH’s Jason Rantz, Republican lawmakers have been calling for a special session since June.  Lawmakers have proposed months-worth of proposals – all of which Inslee continues to ignore.

Inslee “prefers to govern alone [speak of the tyrant],” as MacEwen told Rantz.  That’s especially unfortunate as his actions prove he is distanced from the reality of families and businesses that are struggling and have no idea how they’re going to survive.

~~~~~~~~

Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce: Inslee “out of touch”  (Yakima Herald)

Jay Inslee’s latest COVID-19 shutdown order will severely impact small businesses – that reality prompted widespread criticism.

Verlynn Best, Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, slammed Inslee as someone with “no clue what it takes to run a small business” and said his “shutdown wasn’t thought through.” Pointing to businesses owners – like restaurants and breweries – worried about the inventory they recently ordered going bad, Best said Inslee was “out-of-touch” and warned many businesses would not be able to survive the latest rounds of restrictions.

Inslee’s own administration admits that “uncertainty remains in contact tracing outbreaks” but insists that COVID-19 transmission occurs indoors where “people are unmasked, not that far apart and spend a lot of time together.”

But as Best points out, impacted businesses meet all safety guidelines, including masks, social distancing and providing hand sanitizing stations. Inslee lack of a plan adds to the uncertainty – businesses cannot trust his administration to provide stability.

~~~~~~~~

Emergencies lasting 60+ days should require special sessions (Washington Policy)  

Jay Inslee declared an emergency as a result from COVID-19 more than 260 days ago.

Inslee has been a one-man governing authority for nearly nine months, declaring emergency orders and forcing economic restrictions.

Inslee’s recent restrictions – which will severely harm small businesses and families – is just the latest example.

While state legislatures across the nation have met to deal with the repercussions of shutdowns, Inslee continues to refuse calls by Republicans lawmakers – and some Democrats – to convene a special session.

Inslee has taken over state government without any regard for the state legislature.

The Washington Policy Center’s Jason Mercier believes state lawmakers must adopt a law similar to that of states like Wisconsin which demands the involvement of the state legislature to extend a state of emergency issued by a governor lasting longer than 60 days.

~~~~~~~~
       
Will Jay Inslee abandon Washington state for the national stage?  (KREM2)

Despite denying his interest in joining a Biden Administration while campaigning for a rare third term as governor, speculation over Jay Inslee leaving for a national position persists.

According to national news sources, Joe Biden’s team is considering Inslee for positions like Secretary of the Interior, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Secretary of Energy.

If Inslee does break his campaign promise and leaves for a national position, newly elected Lt. Governor Denny Heck would step up as acting governor. Heck would serve in the position until a special election takes place in November 2021.

In any event, Inslee would leave a mess of his own creation – with small businesses struggling to survive.  If Biden calls Inslee, our nation will experience how  our state has been screwed.