August 10, 2020

A Seattle Times report reveals that the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) knew about fraudulent benefits claims for weeks, yet Jay Inslee failed to take corrective measures as his administration allowed over $576 million to be stolen from taxpayers – one of the largest heists in American history.  Many legitimate employers reported to the ESD that fraudulent claims were being filed (including one pretending to be Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins), yet the state failed to protect taxpayer funds for many more weeks. Thus far, the best defense that Inslee’s hand-picked ESD Director Suzi LeVine has floated for the colossal failure of her agency is that a few other states were also victims of the scam (yet none at the scale of incompetence which took place in Washington).  This is the “It happens to everybody” defense – as LeVine was essentially spinning it, “A couple of other states failed a little, so it is OK that the Inslee Administration failed a lot.”  Meanwhile, the Washington State Auditor’s Office is expected to complete five separate investigations into ESD’s historic failure, but none will be completed until long after the November elections. After all, who would want to know about how much money Jay Inslee lost in this fraud before deciding whether to hire him for another term? (Seattle Times) According to a survey of Washington State Legislators conducted by the Washington Policy Center, 25 Senators and 47 Representatives support a special session of the legislature to “address the budget deficit.”  Here’s the math – 72 partisan members from both parties who returned the survey all said they support a special legislative session, while 75 members failed to return the survey.  This demonstrates that no member of the legislature who thinks Gov. Inslee’s executive orders are the best way to run state government and thus opposes a special session was willing “to go on the record” by returning the survey.  According to the state’s constitution, a special session can be convened by the governor or by a 2/3rds supermajority of each legislative chamber (33 senators and 66 house members). (Washington Policy Center) Bowling centers across Washington State held “Rally for the Alley” events this weekend to encourage Governor Inslee to allow them to re-open their businesses.  Bowling alleys say they have implemented safety procedures that are more comprehensive than other businesses which the state has allowed to reopen.  Yet any relief at this time is already too late for some lanes which cannot afford to keep operating.  Glacier Lanes in Everett has announced that it will be closing its doors after 63 years, due to the financial losses experienced during the coronavirus outbreak. (Vancouver Columbian and Everett Herald)