Hey Jay, What Do You Say? It Don't Matter Anyway!

Source: ShiftWA.org

Governor Jay Inslee’s Employment Security Department (ESD) has been criticized by the Washington’s Democrat State Auditor for failing to provide necessary information requested  the five separate audits being conducted on the dysfunctional department.  Democrat Auditor Pat McCarthy took the very unusual step of sending a letter to ESD Commissioner Suzi LeVine, and to the Governor’s office, stating that the department’s staff needs to change its constraining methods of responding to information requests and “approach these audits in the spirit of accountability and transparency.”  This condemnation by the auditor is the latest in a series of problems involving Inslee’s ESD, which allowed hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to be stolen by foreign criminals last Spring, and then delayed much-needed payments to qualified Washington residents (after Inslee’s emergency orders had forced hundreds of thousands of workers into unemployment).  Despite Commissioner LeVine being responsible for one of the largest thefts in American history, and creating unnecessary financial insecurity for Washington workers who had just lost their jobs, Governor Inslee has refused to act on the numerous calls for him to fire ESD Commissioner LeVine (whose primary qualification for the job was that she has raised millions for Democrat campaigns, including Inslee’s). (Seattle Times and Auditor McCarthy’s letter to Commissioner LeVine)

A New York Times’ story on the how 12-step recovery programs quickly moved to Zoom meetings after in-person meetings were banned last March, was featured in the Seattle Times without any  mention of the negative impact of banning in-person meetings in Washington State.  Governor Inslee’s orders have ended in-person Alcoholics Anonymous’ (and other 12-step recovery groups) meetings, while liquor and marijuana outlets have recorded record sales. Online meetings have a considerably lower participation rate than in-person meetings.  For those seeking help, online meetings do not always provide the personal attention which in-person meetings provide, and thus the newcomers do not obtain the help they need.  Also, many people in need of substance abuse assistance do not have the computer technology needed to participate in Zoom meetings. But, at least the Times carried the story. (Seattle Times/New York Times)

As Governor Inslee was mandating strict restrictions on workplaces, retailers, and faith services, his own administration failed to institute safety measures within state-run facilities.  State hospitals and correction facilities were the source of many outbreaks, including one at the Cayote Ridge Correction Center in Central Washington, where 350 inmates and staff were infected with the virus and two inmates died.  An independent report finds that the state failed to isolate symptomatic prisoners and that many guards did not wear masks. (Seattle Times)

As Governor Inslee continues to seek a position in the Biden Administration, speculation grows over who would seek his position in a special election.  If Inslee resigns prior to next May (when candidates must file for the 2021 elections), then the special election would be held next November. If Inslee resigns after May, there is debate when the election will be held.  Lt. Governor-elect Denny Heck would fill in for Inslee until a new governor is elected.  Heck has stated he will not run for the position and he will return to the Lt. Governor’s office after a new governor is elected.  Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson has already built a $3 million war chest through daily anti-Trump begging, Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz has stated many times that she will seek the position to ensure diversity among the candidates, and King County Executive Dow Constantine “has not ruled out” a run even though he just announced he is running for re-election next year. On the Republican side, there are many who may interested in seeking the position, including all three Republican members of the congressional delegation, Secretary of State Kim Wyman, former Attorney General Rob McKenna, House Republican leader JT Wilcox, Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier, and former Republic Police Chief Loren Culp.  You can fill out Shift’s survey to indicate who you would support. (Crosscut and Shift’s Survey)

The Washington Indian Gaming Association says that no “major outbreaks” of COVID-19 have occurred as the results of its restaurants, bars, and gaming areas being open for business.  While Governor Inslee has said he has no authority to close these facilities, he has severely restricted non-tribal establishments which follow the same safety procedures.  While the governor is correct that he cannot impose rules on federally recognized tribes, if he does believe restaurants are the source of the recent outbreak of the coronavirus (which no data supports), he could threaten to remove some of the financial benefits that he supported giving the tribes (like the monopoly on the lucrative sports gambling business, and kickbacks on the state’s portion of sales tax) if they don’t follow the same guidelines as non-tribal establishments. But that might anger Inslee’s million-dollar-donors in the tribal offices, so you can expect that not to happen. (MyNorthwest)