May 26, 2020
Source: ShiftWA.org
Washington
resident are still talking about the embarrassing interview Governor
Inslee had with Q13’s Brandi Kruse, in which he labelled workers who are
concerned about their financial future as being people who want all
people over 60 to die. (BTW – so
the record is crystal clear, Governor Inslee showed his backbone and
took “strong exception” to having all Washington residents over 60
die.) The interview capsulizes why there is growing frustration with
Governor Inslee and his lack of responding to concerns and fears of
Washington residents. Instead of responding to the legitimate questions
posed by Kruse, Inslee chose to use the sophomoric technique of posing a
strawman argument that anyone who questions his actions is unconcerned
about the health and welfare of senior citizens. Inslee is failing to
understand that residents are frustrated with his partisan decisions, the lack of science and data in making decisions, and not being held accountable for his actions.
(We will note that Kruse’s interview with Inslee, which was aired on
Sunday, could have even been worse for him as it was taped prior to the
news that the Inslee Administration had given “hundreds of millions” of
taxpayer dollars to Nigerian criminals in fraudulent unemployment
claims.) (Brandi Kruse Twitter, Shift, Washington Policy Center, and Shift Facebook)
It is now the 6th day since the Inslee administration revealed how its lack of competence and oversite allowed Washington State to be the largest victim of a scam conducted by Nigerian criminals, costing state taxpayers “hundreds of millions of dollars.” (BTW – can the state be more precise? There is a huge difference between $200 million and $900 million.) It is also the 6th day since Governor Inslee abruptly canceled a media event and has been in hiding ever since, avoiding questions on one of the largest heists in world history. Inslee had been appearing before the media nearly every day prior to the news of the scam. We can predict Inslee’s handlers are going to limit the opportunity of the media (and public) to ask the governor questions and will avoid the few state reporters who are known for asking tough questions (i.e. Brandi Kruse). (Seattle Times and News Tribune)
In late April, 43 state legislators sent a letter to the Washington Citizen’s Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials, asking the members to reconsider a pay raise that is scheduled to take place on July 1st. The letter noted (at that time) 630,000 Washington State residents had filed new unemployment claims and that 99% came from the private sector. Those signing the letter believed “At a time when so many are unemployed, it makes no sense for elected officials to be granted a raise.” The partisan makeup of the letter is interesting with 18 Republican Senators and only 2 Democrats Senators (both, Christine Rolfes and Annette Cleveland, are up for re-election in 2020) signing the request. Some 15 House Republicans signed the letter along with 8 House Democrats (mostly from swing districts). The number of House Democrats who signed onto the letter is interesting because there are rumors that Democrat Speaker Laurie Jinkins sent messages to her members telling them not to join in the effort. It is also worth noting that Governor Inslee has been silent on the pay raise he is set to receive, even though he is already the 6th highest paid governor in the country. Maybe Jay could use some of that extra cash to pay the state back for the money his campaign stole from taxpayers to cover security costs during his failed presidential run. (Legislators letter to the WCCSEO and Ballotpedia)
Speaking of pay raises – there has been no response from Governor Inslee or Democrat legislative leaders regarding the Republican call for a special session in June, after the state reveals its latest economic forecast. One of the primary reasons for the June timing is to allow legislators to re-consider a second 3% pay raise state employees are scheduled to receive starting July 1st. While private sector jobs have been sacrificed during the coronavirus outbreak, nearly all state employees (including those who are “non-essential”) have been collecting their wages. In fact, it was not until last week that Governor Inslee finally placed a hiring freeze on state employees (despite everyone knowing since early March that the COVID-19 crisis was going to greatly impact state tax revenues). If Governor Inslee and Democrat legislative leaders allow this pay raise to go through, it will be yet another example of the Democrats making the financially insecure Washington State residents pay for the political favors of Democrat politicians. (Republican Senate Caucus media release)
Another of Governor Inslee’s (Democrats only) Western States Pact members has moved to safely reopen commercial activity. California’s health officials have stated that “all retail stores can reopen for in-store shopping under previously issued guidelines.” This does not include personal services like barbers, nail salons or tattoo parlors. Meanwhile, it is expected that a large majority of Washington residents live in counties that will have emergency orders extended past June 1st. (NBC Los Angeles and MyNorthwest)
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