Olympia This Week

Senator Braun responds to violence in Washington D.C.  (WA Senate Republican Committee)

Washington State Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, released a statement regarding protests in Washington D.C.

“What we are seeing at our nation’s Capitol today is unacceptable. I condemned the violent protests here in our state and around the country this summer and I condemn today’s actions just as strongly. Attacking the U.S. Capitol is no more justifiable than attacking our state capitol, or a police precinct, or private property that happens to be in a certain part of a city. No matter the reasoning behind it, violence is not the answer. One of the bedrocks of our democracy – something that has distinguished our nation from many others for centuries – is the peaceful transfer of power from one elected official to another.

"I understand that some question the legitimacy of the recent election. The U.S. Constitution guarantees them the right to have their voices heard through peaceful assembly. They even have the right to challenge the election process in a court of law. But nothing grants anyone the right to storm the Capitol building and terrify those inside. I sincerely hope those protesting at the Washington State Capitol who share a cause with those protesting in D.C. today recognize the volatility of the situation and the need to maintain public safety, respect the role of the Capitol campus security officers and conduct themselves peacefully. Violence is not the path forward.”

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WA leaders woefully unprepared to administer COVID-19 vaccine (Washington Policy Center)

In a stunning example of government ineffectiveness, Washington state leadership has woefully failed to deliver vaccines to the public.

Unfortunately, it’s Washington families who pay the price for the spectacular failures.

Jay Inslee went from publicly complaining that Washington would not be receiving as many vaccine doses as expect to struggling to administer the state’s allotted doses.

On January 3, a mere 29% of the available doses were handed out. To compare, during the same period, South Dakota delivered 70 percent of the available doses in that state.

Washington ranks 37th in the nation for the percentage of vaccine doses administered.

Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center points out that the latest failure comes as no surprise as, in fact, state leaders’ failure “to take effective steps to fight the spread of the coronavirus fits a year-long pattern.”

From testing to contact tracing to vaccine administration, Inslee’s failure to lead effectively has had serious implications for Washingtonians. 

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Small businesses describe Inslee’s reopening plan as “disheartening” (KOMO News)

Jay Inslee’s latest reopening plan sections Washington into eight regions based on health care resources. His reopening plan also consists of two phases, with each region starting in Phase 1.

Indoor gyms and entertainment will see some relaxed restrictions until Phase 1. Gyms are only allowed to one customer per 500 square feet – they may operate at 25% capacity when they reach Phase 2.

But Inslee will only allow indoor dining to resume when a region enters Phase 2 – at which point restaurants can only operate at 25% capacity.

Getting to Phase 2 requires a 10% decrease in case rates and COVID-19 hospital admission rates, an ICU occupancy rate less than 90%, and test positivity rates of less than 10%.

Regions must maintain the results to stay in Phase 2.

One restaurant owner told KOMO News that Inslee’s reopening plan is “disheartening” and that it “just doesn’t seem right why restaurants are being punished or closed when we’re doing everything possible to reopen up.”

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State lawmakers brace for “unprecedented” 2021 legislative session (KOHO Morning Show)

Republican Washington State Senator Brad Hawkins (12th LD) joined the KOHO Morning Show to discuss what is bound to be an “unprecedented” legislative session in 2021.

Hawkins discusses how legislators hope to engage with the public – especially with public testimony and ensuring a voice for Eastern Washingtonians – given a mostly remote legislative session.

Hawkins also covers frequently asked questions like expectations to changes in the state budget – something he does not expect to see major changes in terms of spending cuts.

Hawkins does warn of the likelihood of tax increases (Sucking away funds is exactly what the battered state economy does not need). Washingtonians will likely see a push for a state capital gains income tax by Democrats.

Finally, Hawkins covers what Washingtonians can expect in terms of schools reopening.