Democrats to Parents: Sit Down, Shut Up, and Let the Bureaucrats Decide.

Washington Democrats Gut Parental Rights—Because They Know Best, Apparently

Less than a year after Washington voters demanded more parental rights in schools, Democrats have decided they know better and are rewriting the law. State Senate Democrats passed Senate Bill 5181, which weakens Initiative 2081 (an initiative that guaranteed parents access to key information about their children, including safety concerns and medical decisions). Instead of notifying parents immediately about crimes involving their kids, Democrats want schools to follow a watered-down 48-hour rule. For Democrats, apparently, there’s no need to rush when it’s just a child’s safety on the line.

Republicans fought to keep the original protections, and shockingly, one GOP amendment actually made it through. Meanwhile, Democrats attached an emergency clause to the bill to prevent voters from overturning it, because nothing says “we respect democracy” like silencing the people. Kristen Bridgen-Brown of the Pierce County GOP slammed the move as arrogant, calling it a blatant disregard for the 450,000 Washingtonians who backed I-2081. Her frustration is shared by parents who just want transparency in schools but are being steamrolled by a Legislature more concerned with protecting its own power.

The bill now moves forward, but with a recent court ruling favoring I-2081 supporters, Democrats might have a harder time erasing parental rights than they think. Read more at Center Square.

Seattle’s Solution to Losing Federal Funds? More Meetings, Less Compliance!

Seattle’s City Council is forming yet another committee—because clearly, more bureaucracy is the answer—to deal with Trump’s executive orders that might affect federal funding and social programs. Trump’s order, aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration, withholds federal money from sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement. Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck is leading the charge, worried that Seattle’s reliance on federal money could be at risk. The laundry list of programs allegedly in peril includes everything from public safety to climate change, though a simple way to avoid funding cuts would be to, well, comply with federal law. Council President Sara Nelson framed it as a fight for “stability” against the “chaos” of D.C., though stability might be easier to achieve by not picking unnecessary battles. The new committee, set to meet in March, will let all nine council members huddle up and strategize—because nothing says efficiency like more meetings. Read more at PBS.

Seattle Children’s Hospital Pauses Transgender Surgeries on Minors

Seattle Children’s Hospital has halted transgender surgeries on minors following a Trump executive order that cuts federal funding to hospitals performing these irreversible procedures. Despite left-wing outrage, the move aligns with overwhelming public opinion, as multiple polls show Americans oppose puberty blockers and hormone treatments for kids. The research supporting so-called “gender-affirming care” is deeply flawed, with studies either misrepresented or outright buried when they fail to show mental health benefits. Meanwhile, progressives push these life-altering interventions while silencing dissent and ignoring de-transitioners who regret their choices. Their goal isn’t protecting kids—it’s virtue-signaling at any cost, even when the evidence points to harm. Thankfully, Trump’s order prioritizes safeguarding minors from medical decisions they may later regret, allowing them to make informed choices as adults instead. Read more at KTTH.

Baumgartner Wants a Star Teacher for State of the Union

GOP US Rep. Michael Baumgartner is looking for one standout high school teacher from Eastern Washington’s 5th district to attend the 2025 State of the Union as his special guest. Nominations, submitted via a 250-500 word essay, can come from students, parents, or colleagues and must be sent by Feb. 18. The chosen teacher gets a ticket to the event—but, thanks to House ethics rules, they’ll have to cover their own travel and lodging. Learn more at the Spokesman Review.

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