Under Investigation? Should Be!

 


An independent investigation into what Governor Jay Inslee knew – and when he knew it – about the dysfunction at his Employment Security Department (ESD), has been hampered by bureaucratic incompetence, which has resulted in a potentially costly lawsuit against the state.  Mike Flynn, the former publisher and editor of the Puget Sound Business Journal, sent out an email (which we have copied and posted to our website) describing the efforts of Lynn Brewer (known previously as a “whistleblower” after leaving Enron) to obtain emails between Governor Inslee and ESD Commissioner Suzi LeVine.  Brewer made a public disclosure request for the emails last Spring, but was informed in June that she would have to wait until after December 31st to receive these emails.  Brewer has since filed a lawsuit in Thurston County stating the ESD has failed to adhere to the state’s Public Disclosure Act and is seeking “an award of statutory penalties, fees and costs against the Department.” Flynn points out in his email that this could be very costly to Washington taxpayers, since courts have levied huge fines against the state for such willful past public disclosure violations. (Flynn’s Harp December 7 email)

Three Washington city mayors stated their frustration with Governor Inslee and his one-man rule through continued governance via emergency orders, which has negatively impacted the residents of their communities.  Brandi Kruse interviewed three mayors to obtain their perspective on working with the state during the COVID-19 pandemic and each expressed their frustrations with the governor’s refusal to include local officials in health and safety orders.  Kent Mayor Dana Ralph stated there has been “insignificant consultations” from the governor over decisions which have closed local businesses.  Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring stated that Governor Inslee has not followed the data and is punishing businesses which have not been the source of the recent spike in cases. Nehring stated he wished the governor was “more collaborative, inclusive, and bipartisan“ in his approach.  Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward echoed the same apprehensions of her fellow mayors, and expressed her concerns that the Governor’s “one size fits all” approach is more designed for the needs of the Puget Sound region.  Woodward stated, “We want to be heard on this side of the state too.” (Q13’s The Divide)

The growing division within the national Democrat Party features two Washington State congressional members as leading players in the chasm.  Extremely liberal Representative Pramila Jayapal (D – Seattle) is seeking to become the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and only very liberal Representative Suzan DelBene has been elected chair of the slightly less extreme New Democrat Coalition.  The division between these two segments of the Democrat Party has been growing and was played out in the streets of Seattle last summer, as the progressives violently took over portions of Seattle and demanded a randomly determined 50% cut in police funding, while members of the state’s Democrat establishment (most notably Governor Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson) ran for the hills and abandoned Mayor Jenny Durkan as she wilted in the face of the progressives’ extreme demands.  (Seattle Times)

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