June 30, 2020

Source: ShiftWA.org

Washington Governor Jay Inslee was heckled off the stage when he spoke Tuesday morning in Pasco. The governor, who has lost credibility among many Washington residents due to his partisan actions and poor management during the largest health and economic crisis in the state’s history, was booed and heckled as he attempted to speak on the importance of wearing face masks.  How did Inslee earn this scorn?  The governor has ignored numerous letters from Republican lawmakers and never consults with legislative leaders on issues that impact millions of citizens. He has disbanded bipartisan legislative workgroups in favor of advisory committees made up solely of campaign contributors, liberal special interest groups, and government workers.  He has given his campaign contributors in the state employee unions a pay raise while millions of Washington residents are facing financial insecurity. And this list of malfeasance doesn’t  even include his state agency scandals in Corrections, Employment Security, and DSHS. Inslee’s selfish and partisan actions have tarnished the governor’s office and a growing number of Washington residents no longer find his staff-written statements convincing. (Seattle P-I, Shift, and Governor Inslee media release)

Even more problems due to the Inslee Administration’s mismanagement of the Employment Security Department (ESD). The poorly run state agency, under Jay Inslee’s hand-picked fundraiser in charge, announced that it will likely run out of funds and may need to borrow money from the federal government to make future unemployment benefit payments.  After it was revealed the ESD was successfully scammed out of “hundreds of millions of dollars” (one of the largest heists in American history) by a Nigerian crime ring, the Inslee Administration scoffed at those who said the department could run out of money.  As is often the case, Inslee’s critics were correct and the governor’s diversionary tactics were unable to alter reality.  (KUOW, and Washington Policy Center)

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan has sent a letter to the Seattle City Council requesting that it investigate City Councilmember Kshama Sawant. Mayor Durkan contends Sawant violates laws and “recklessly undermines the safety of others, all for political theater.” Durkan cited Sawant opening the doors of Seattle City Hall to protestors, encouraging the takeover of the police department’s East Precinct, and led protestors to the mayor’s home, despite her address being protected since her time as U.S. Attorney.  This move by Durkan could force the state’s liberal elite, from politicians, campaign consultants and organizations to take sides for or against the socialist Sawant.  While Republican lawmakers are often forced to take sides against far-right individuals (and risk losing support from those who are sympathetic), Democrats are nearly always given a pass by the media by not being asked to comment on the destructive actions of far left activists.  It will be interesting to see if reporters follow up on Durkan’s letter by asking Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell, Governor Jay Inslee, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, and Washington State Democrat Party Chair Tina Podlodowski if they stand with Mayor Durkan or Councilmember Sawant in this dispute. (KIRO7 News)