Over the past decade with Governor Jay Inslee in charge, Washington state's government expenses have skyrocketed, more than doubling in cost. For those not keen on crunching the numbers, it means the state is now taking over two dollars for every dollar it spent in 2013, thanks to Inslee and his Democrat pals in the state legislature.
Shift Washington
Friends,

Hopefully you have gotten around to moving back all the clocks in your house, as Daily Saving Times comes to yet another end. While you ponder whether this is a ritual that you will have to do much longer, we hope to keep you up-to-date with an item or two of interest this week from your own backyard. Read on…

This week’s Newsmaker Interview…
Tessa Ester, the president of the upcoming 2024 Roanoke Conference, joined us for this week's Newsmaker Interview. The conference, scheduled for January 26, 2024, at the Ocean Shores Convention Center, is already generating significant interest, with tickets going on sale last week, and the Roanoke Board advising early purchase as a snother sellout is expected. Ticket prices range from $155 for Standard Registration to $50 for Students, including several meals. In her interview, Ester offered insights into the conference's background, registration details, and highlighted the presence of Jennifer Sey, a former U.S. Gymnastics Team Member and Levi executive, who will share her experiences combatting the "Woke Mob" as the Friday night featured speaker, with hints about the Saturday evening speaker yet to be revealed. Read more.

This week’s top story…
The State Department of Ecology's recent announcement regarding a potential merger with the California and Québec carbon markets appears more like a diversion tactic to shift attention away from the unpopular gas-price-raising carbon tax, which Democrat lawmakers have been unwilling to address. While the announcement is being portrayed as a significant development by some media outlets, the reality is that Washington's involvement in such a potential linked market won't happen until 2025 at the earliest, offering no relief to taxpayers struggling with soaring gas prices this year. Moreover, Washington's offering to these markets primarily consists of higher energy costs and added regulatory challenges, making this link one that is likely to remain missing for quite awhile. Read this story and more.

In case you missed it…
The Democrats' messaging regarding their new cap-and-trade/carbon tax law has been a convoluted mess. Notably absent from Governor Jay Inslee's administration is an acknowledgment of the 50-cent-per-gallon gas price increase due to this policy. Instead, one of hisDepartment of Ecology representatives attempts to spin the situation by suggesting that fuel costs will eventually decrease, relying on the proliferation of electric vehicles and remote work, a perspective at odds with the reality experienced by consumers grappling with higher fuel expenses. A state senator criticisizing the policy as "mean-spirited and punitive" further highlights the growing discontent with the carbon tax's consequences. Read this story and more.

Your bit of inspiration for the week…
Take a moment to enjoy autumn leaves in the Pacific Northwest captured by former U.S. Rep. Rod Chandler.