June 4, 2020

Source: ShiftWA.org

During the coronavirus outbreak, Governor Inslee has isolated himself inside a safe cocoon with his staff and campaign supporters.  At a time when Washington needs a true leader who brings together the state to fight towards a common goal, the governor has decided instead to play divisive politics that often only benefits his supporters.  And, perhaps worst of all, the governor has felt it unnecessary to answer the many questions and concerns of Washington citizens and Republican lawmakers (if he does respond, it is nearly always with a sound bite that doesn’t answer the question).  Shift wants to make it easy for the governor to answer the most pressing questions of Washington residents.  We will collect questions from our readers and select the top dozen inquiries and send them to the governor and his press team.  If the governor responds, we will post his answers in full and unedited.  If you have a question for Governor Inslee, send it to info@ShiftWA.org.  (Shift and Q13’s The Divide)

Governor Inslee likes to pick economic winners and losers, and his decision to limit medical treatment and procedures during the coronavirus outbreak has dramatically impacted the financial resources of health care facilities across the state.  As a result, UW Medicine expects to lose $500 million by the end of the summer and has furloughed 5,500 employees.  Patients are worried that their health care will suffer due to the reduced staff and programs that Inslee wants to see.  (Seattle Times)

State Senator Ann Rivers (R-La Center) says she has learned that the theft of funds from the state’s Employment Security Department (ESD) is larger than previously suspected.  From her office’s contact with ESD employees, the senator has learned that, “Nearly $1 billion has been lost to Nigeria and other fraudsters.” Senator Rivers went on to say that not only is the Governor Inslee and his administration responsible for the lost funds, but Democrat House members killed a bill (which passed the Senate unanimously) that could have prevented this historic robbery.  Senator Rivers worked on the Data Privacy Bill which would have instituted measures that would have better protected state funds yet, “partisan breakdown in the House is what killed this bill.”  Senator Rivers is among the many legislators who is asking Governor Inslee to fire ESD Commissioner Suzi LeVine for her demonstrated incompetence.  Thus far Governor Inslee has demonstrated that the hundreds of thousands of dollars LeVine can raise for Democrat campaigns is more important than the hundreds of millions of dollars she has cost Washington taxpayers.  (Lacamas Magazine)