Yes, It's Ironic!

Source: ShiftWA.org

Governor Inslee ignores our shaky economy, announces over $360 million in new government spending on “equity”, an emergency which he has evidently made worse over his 8 years in office. Included in the massive new spending package are numerous items that will increase the size, power, and cost of state government, such as a new “Equity Office” and an office to “investigate excessive police force.”  Also, the governor plans to reward liberal special interest groups by handing “community groups” more taxpayer money.  There are numerous items where the governor is seeking to expand government’s control over businesses, with regulations for insurance companies, lending companies, and government vendors.  The governor also plans to keep spending state dollars to assist non-citizens who are not covered by federal programs. There are numerous very vague items in the package (such as “invest to close the digital divide” and “advance equity on school campuses”), which can only result in more government employees and regulations.  Of course, the governor cannot let any budget opportunity go to waste without throwing even more taxpayer money at his failed climate policies, this time saying we need to “invest in environmental justice.”

Like many previous grandiose proposals from Governor Inslee, this “equity package” provides no method to measure its success, for it is not actually meant to solve any pressing problems.  The package is designed to increase the size of government (thus providing even more state employees and their dues for Inslee’s big labor cronies) and financially reward his political supporters in liberal special interest groups.  Even retired liberal columnist Joel Connelly mocked the governor and his latest expensive “empty suit” proposal in a tweet.  Connelly posted, “Classic Jay Inslee hyperbole: “We want to see the arc of the moral universe move forward,” followed moments later by, “I haven’t set a goal line.”  (Governor Inslee Press Release and Joel Connelly Twitter)

Governor Inslee, who previously had stated he was unwilling to meet with legislative leaders due to health concerns, apparently didn’t feel those fears were valid when he unnecessarily presided over the much-hyped counting of Washington State’s electoral votes.  In the governor’s latest demonstration of hypocrisy, Inslee met with the 12 Democrat activists (who were casting their electoral ballots) in the same State Senate chamber which Republican lawmakers had previously suggested for their meeting to take place.   We should note that in Washington State history, the governor rarely, if ever, attends this ceremonial event. But, a camera was there, so was Jay. (Seattle Times)