Who knew responsible budgeting didn’t require massive tax hikes and raiding the rainy-day fund? Oh right—Senate Republicans did.

Senate Republicans Find Billions in Savings—Turns Out, Math Is Hard for Democrats

In a press release issued earlier today, Senate Republicans highlight how their budget plan blows up the Democrats’ false choice between devastating cuts and painful tax hikes. Importantly, the GOP budget funds education, protects key services, and doesn’t pick Washingtonians’ pockets. Their $ave Washington plan finds billions in savings by cutting bloated bureaucracy, reprioritizing funds, and delaying unsustainable pay raises—while still giving employees a $5,000 bonus. Unlike the Democrats’ tax-and-spend nightmare, this budget boosts K-12 funding, invests in law enforcement, and keeps college tuition affordable without squeezing taxpayers. It also spares Washington families from higher fees on parks and hunting while ensuring public safety and social services remain intact. The choice is clear: responsible governance or more reckless spending.

Washington Dems’ Carbon Cash Grab: You Pay More, They Waste More

Washington drivers aren’t just getting gouged at the pump—they’re also unknowingly funding Democrats’ latest transit spending spree. Thanks to the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), nearly half of all so-called “climate” spending in 2024 came from a transit slush fund, with the vast majority going toward buses and grants instead of roads. Of the top 10 most expensive CCA-funded projects, six were transit-related, including a $66 million handout just to keep Seattle’s bus system running.

Meanwhile, watchdog groups like the Washington Policy Center have pointed out that carbon auctions under the CCA have driven up gas prices, with one former WSDOT economist even alleging he was told to falsify reports about the real impact. In total, CCA projects have raked in over $2 billion, but almost 90% of the spending has done absolutely nothing to reduce emissions. Of the two projects that even claimed to help, only one—a $9.7 million ferry conversion—produced measurable results, cutting state emissions by a laughable 0.3% “over time.”

Yet Democrats continue pushing for even more revenue grabs, like a road usage charge (RUC), with some arguing the money should also be funneled into transit instead of fixing highways. With gas prices soaring and roads in desperate need of maintenance, drivers are stuck paying for pet projects while getting nothing in return. At this rate, Washington’s climate policies aren’t about cutting emissions—they’re just an excuse for Democrats to raise taxes and fund their endless transit wish list. Read more at Center Square.

Olympia’s Housing Circus: More Rules, Less Housing, and a Whole Lot of Lawsuits

With the legislative deadline approaching, a handful of housing bills are still in play—unfortunately, most of them are Democrat-driven disasters. HB 1195, which forces cities to accept homeless shelters in residential and commercial zones, is still alive, as is HB 1217, a rent control bill that will shrink the housing supply and drive landlords out. SB 5184, which slashes parking requirements and ignores local needs, is moving forward, while HB 1380—giving homeless activists the ability to sue cities for enforcing public space laws—is also still standing. On the Republican side, HB 1096, sponsored by Rep. Andrew Barkis, offers a real solution by allowing more lot splitting to increase housing supply, but its fate is uncertain in Democrat-controlled Olympia. HB 1491, the top-down, transit-focused development bill, continues to advance, forcing density whether communities want it or not. Meanwhile, HB 1443, which allows mobile homes on residential lots, is still in the mix, despite concerns over utilities and safety. With a $15 billion deficit looming, the question is whether lawmakers will pass anything that actually helps—or just pile on more regulations and lawsuits. Read more at My Edmonds News.

Democrats’ New “Pro-Police” Plan: More Taxes, More Red Tape, Fewer Cops

Bob Ferguson promised more cops, but now Democrats are watering it down with a sales tax and social programs. His original $100 million plan for police hiring is now tied up in a bill that makes local governments jump through hoops and forces a tax hike—without voter approval, of course. Republicans, who originally backed more police funding, are now balking at this bait-and-switch, while Democrats suddenly love the idea since it funnels money to “other public safety efforts.” If cities want a slice of the state grants, they’ll have to implement a tax and follow the state attorney general’s policing rules, including restrictions on helping with immigration enforcement—because keeping Washington “working” apparently means shielding illegal immigrants. Ferguson says he’ll veto any budget without the police money, but with a $15 billion deficit looming, good luck making that happen. Meanwhile, Republicans are backing Sen. Jeff Holy’s version, which funds more officers without the tax scheme and social service slush fund. But since Democrats control Olympia, they’ll likely ram through their preferred version, making sure police funding comes with enough strings attached to keep their “progressive” base happy. Read more at Washington State Standard.

Washington Dems Take Another Shot at Your Gun Rights—And Miss the Constitution Entirely

Washington Democrats just rammed through yet another gun control bill, HB 1163, with zero Republican support. This one forces law-abiding citizens to get a permit before buying a firearm, complete a state-approved training course, and an “enhanced” background check. Republicans fought back with 27 amendments to fix the worst parts of the bill, but Democrats shot down all but one, proving they had no interest in compromise.

One of the more outrageous rejections was an amendment to exempt military veterans—because apparently, Democrats think highly trained service members can’t be trusted with firearms. When called out, Democrat Rep. Strom Peterson justified it by suggesting that making it harder for veterans to buy guns would prevent suicides—a statement that rightly outraged GOP lawmakers who actually respect those who served. Another rejected GOP amendment would have limited the bill to high-crime urban areas like Seattle, but Democrats wouldn’t even allow that, proving this was never about safety—just control. The bill now heads to the Senate, where, if passed, it will likely end up in court—yet another legal battle over the left’s endless attempts to chip away at Second Amendment rights. Read more at the Center Square.

Moses Lake School Board Takes a Stand, Because Apparently, Common Sense Needs Defending

The Moses Lake School Board deserves some real credit for taking a stand against the state’s overreach. Last week, they unanimously passed a resolution rejecting five bills that would strip local control, undermine parental rights, and push a progressive agenda that doesn’t reflect their community’s values. These bills, which include mandates on gender inclusivity and expanded protections for students based on various identities, are a clear example of the state trying to force schools into a mold they don’t fit. Despite the looming threat of losing state funding, the board, led by President Kirryn Jensen, isn’t backing down. They’ve made it clear that protecting their students and upholding parents’ rights comes before playing along with a top-down agenda from Olympia. Some members, like Paul Hill, even spoke out about their moral responsibility to protect children. The overall message was clear: they’re on the right side of history in standing firm for parents’ rights and protecting children. Kudos to a school board for standing tall in the face of political pressure and put students first. Read more at Center Square.

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