Washington state wants to increase bureaucrats’ salaries by $1.3 billion despite claims the state is facing a budget shortfall
When Jay Inslee took the job as Governor in 2013, the state’s annual operating budget was approximately $38.4 billion. After 12 years of the Inslee administration, the state is now spending almost twice as much per year, $75.5 billion. Yet, despite this massive increase in state spending, legislators are claiming that they will need another $10-12 billion over the […]
Unemployment in Washington is 4.9% which sounds good until compared to everywhere else
The Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) is reporting that for June the unemployment rate in Washington is 4.9%. That sounds great, until you compare Washington’s performance with the other 49 states where it ranks 7th worst in the nation. South Dakota, which during the pandemic did not implement any significant economic restrictions, has the lowest rate at […]
Op-Ed: Government records belong to the public
The Washington Public Records Act (PRA), passed into State Law by citizens’ initiative in 1972, allows the public to inspect the records that elected officials create as part of doing the people’s business. That includes letters, emails, phone logs, meeting minutes and other documents submitted to the legislature and created by the elected representatives at […]
Op-Ed: Why are people leaving California and could it happen here in Washington?
Demographia has just published a study, authored by Wendell Cox, that compares the affordability of housing in the international marketplace. The conclusions show that while Washington State isn’t the most expensive, it is on its way to the top spot. What’s sad is it’s all avoidable with some simple changes to state policy. Currently Seattle […]
Mark Harmsworth files to run for election to State House
MILL CREEK, Wash., April 1, 2022 – Former State Representative Mark Harmsworth announced today he will run for election for the 44th District House of Representatives Position 1. The district covers a large area of East County including the cities of Cathcart, Mill Creek, and Snohomish. “Washington is a great state to live in, but unfortunately […]
Special Session likely due to State’s transportation needs
LYNNWOOD, Wash., July 20, 2021 – Senator Steve Hobbs reintroduced his Forward Washington transportation package at a public hearing on April 12. On May 18, a transportation biennium budget proposal was enacted with a partial veto by Gov. Jay Inslee that included funding and certain sections that were in conflict with other statutes, past vetoes, […]
Washington Employment Security Department struggles with transparency
Washington Employment Security Department struggles with transparencyBy Mark Harmsworth | WPC Contributor and Pundit | Republished by Lynnwood Times Recent information exposed by whistleblowers at the State Employment Security Department (ESD) have re-enforced the need to improve transparency in the process and the criteria used to approve unemployment claims. As reported by the Puget Sound Business […]
Commentary: Is the Governor going to roll the state back to Phase 1 shutdown?
By Mark Harmsworth | Washington Policy Center The majority of counties in Washington are now in Phase 2 of the COVID-19 reopening plan, allowing most businesses to operate and letting people go back to work. Recent comments from local and state government officials, though, indicate state leaders may be preparing to return us to Phase […]
Did WA State choose to exclude residential construction from the essential services list?
Commentary by Mark Harmsworth | Washington Policy Center When Governor Inslee issued his ‘Stay in Place’ COVID-19 declaration on March 23rd, there was enough ambiguity in the list of essential businesses that his office had to issue a follow-up clarifying statement. In that statement, the state classified residential construction, which represents a large portion of the Washington economy, […]
Legislators in Olympia want to make it harder for employees to work when they want
By Mark Harmsworth | Washington Policy Institute | Feb. 27, 2020 Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position the Lynnwood Times. Senate Bill 5717 would create requirements for employee scheduling, but as with many ideas suggested by legislators […]
