If We Don't Tell Them "NO" for the 11th Time, We Deserve It!

Source: ShiftWA.org

Democrat legislators continue to make it more expensive to live and work in Washington State, as they seek to impose the highest gas tax in the country – and this is before including the 57 cents a gallon Governor Jay Inslee’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard would add.  The Democrats have collected all of the transportation pet projects from their members and they will make all of us pay for it.  While Democrats continue to say they want to make the tax system fairer, these taxes will impact lower-income workers the most. (Click to read the full Shift Article)

Republican legislative leaders vowed to keep pushing the bipartisan SB 5114, or any other legal means, to reopen Washington State’s economy.  At their weekly media availability, Republican leaders were asked by KOMO TV’s Keith Eldridge what they were going to do to help relieve the frustrations of local officials in counties where Governor Inslee has unilaterally held them back at Phase 1 (in his random re-opening scheme).  Senate Republican Leader John Braun stated that the methods the governor is currently using are unscientific, and that he vows to continue to use parliamentary techniques to push SB 5114 (which would move all counties to Phase 2). “You can expect us to continue to press on this,” Braun stated. “It is important to folks around the state.  The restrictions we are under are harmful. People are really upset and angry at the governor, at government in general, because we are squeezing out their livelihoods. We will continue to press along the lines of 5114 or any other method we can use to bring attention to this issue.”  House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox added that children are suffering due to not being able to return to the classroom and seniors are being unnecessarily isolated.  “I think there is a lot of scientific evidence now that tells us how to be safe,” Wilcox stated. “The price is high. We have to lead on this.” (TVW coverage of Republican Media Availability and Washington Legislature Bill Summary)

As a helpful information tool, the folks at the Washington Policy Center have put together an informative post on the current push by the Democrats in the legislature to impose a first of its kind state income tax on capital gains.  The post includes links to short videos and articles which outline the argument against imposing the tax (especially since current revenue projections show there is more than enough money to pay for current state government programs), and why an income tax on capital gains is unconstitutional in Washington State. (Washington Policy Center)

A Wall Street Journal video states that the teachers union’s insistence on keeping schools closed is the latest development causing parents to lose faith in public schools.  The unions’ opposition to the innovation provided by charter schools, and their desire to promote their radical political agenda, have also led to an increase in the number of students pulling out of the public school system.  The video states that, even with this growing frustration with public schools, there is little hope much will change with the Biden Administration. (Wall Street Journal)

A bill has been introduced by Democrat lawmakers that would require Lyft, Uber, and other ride-share companies to meet annual quotas for the number of miles driven in electric cars.  If passed, HB 1075 would only apply to ride-share companies and not to taxi-cab companies. This is the latest attempt by liberal lawmakers to prop up an antiquated taxi-cab industry which had previously neglected to meet consumer needs. This failure then allowed the innovation of Uber and Lyft to obtain quick success in the marketplace. (My Northwest and Washington Legislature Bill Summary)

The state is recommending that residents take down bird feeders to stop the spread of “songbird fever.”  The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) says that that the deadly salmonellosis is being spread through saliva and droppings, and that feeders are the primary source.  It is not known if Governor Inslee is planning to mandate face masks for birds, or social distancing at bird baths, or have WDFW impose fines on those who keep their feeders open to serve the birds. (News Tribune)  At least someone's got a sense of humor amongst all this insanity!