If Democrats thought they could kill parents’ rights with a rewrite, this new initiative is here to prove them wrong.

Washington Democrats vs. Parents: Round Two

Democrats just can’t take “yes” for an answer when it comes to parents’ rights. After 448,000 Washingtonians backed the Parents’ Bill of Rights, lawmakers rewrote it with HB 1296, effectively gutting key protections—because they apparently know better than parents. The original initiative required immediate notification if a child was a crime victim, but Democrats tried sneaking in a 48- to 72-hour delay before outrage forced them to walk it back (with new bureaucratic loopholes, of course). Now, Let’s Go Washington is fighting back, filing a new initiative to repeal this sham rewrite. Meanwhile, Democrats claim the original bill had “errors”—as if nearly half a million parents just didn’t understand what they signed. The real issue? They don’t like parents having a say in their kids’ education and safety. Instead, they want government employees keeping more secrets from families. If they thought gutting the initiative would silence parents, they’ve got another thing coming. Olympia politicians may love rewriting laws, but parents aren’t about to let them rewrite reality. Read more at MyNorthwest.com.

Democrats' Housing Circus: All Talk, No Homes

Washington Democrats promised a “Year of Housing” but have delivered a Year of Excuses. After throwing $400 million at the problem last year, their latest brilliant idea is rent control disguised as “stabilization”—because nothing screams “more housing” like making it less profitable to build. Republicans continue to push for practical solutions, like lot splitting and converting vacant commercial buildings into housing, but Democrats love their red tape too much to let these ideas move forward without a fight. Their Growth Management Act revisions will let bureaucrats micromanage local zoning, and their transit-oriented housing plan comes with costly mandates that will scare off developers. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen and friends act like they’re making progress while blocking bipartisan ideas like backyard cottages. And of course, Bob Ferguson’s transition team is lurking in the background, ready to make things even worse. With less than six weeks left in the session, expect more theatrics, bad policy, and zero real solutions. Read more at the Washington State Standard.

Washington’s Budget: A Predictable Dumpster Fire

Washington state’s budget forecast is in, and—surprise!—years of reckless spending are catching up with Democrats. Sure, there’s a $54 million revenue bump this cycle, but that’s pocket change compared to the $845 million drop projected over the next four years. Naturally, Democrats are shrugging off the looming $6.7 billion shortfall like it’s just another minor inconvenience. Senate Ways & Means Chair June Robinson insists they’ve been making “thoughtful, strategic decisions”—which, given the state’s fiscal mess, is a pretty bold claim. Meanwhile, Republicans are pointing out the obvious: cut the waste, prioritize core services, and don’t raise taxes. Their $75.6 billion budget plan does exactly that, boosting K-12 funding and public safety without dipping into the rainy-day fund. But don’t expect Democrats to suddenly embrace fiscal responsibility—they’ve never met a tax hike or bloated program they didn’t love. Read more at Center Square.

Washington Dems: Redefining ‘Sick Leave’ to Cover Immigration Court

Washington Democrats are at it again—this time trying to rebrand paid sick leave as a catch-all for immigration proceedings. Under House Bill 1875, workers could use paid time off not for illness, but to attend immigration hearings—because apparently, that’s now an employer’s problem. Rep. Osman Salahuddin insists this is about supporting immigrant families, but Republicans rightfully question why “sick leave” is being stretched to cover legal appointments. Businesses already struggle with staffing, and now they’ll have to absorb even more unplanned absences. But don’t worry, Democrats included a handy provision ensuring no one has to disclose their immigration status when requesting time off—because transparency is clearly overrated. The bill sailed through the House on a predictable party-line vote and is now making its way through the Senate. If Washington Dems keep this up, expect “sick leave” to soon cover anything from moving day to jury duty—so long as it fits their latest political agenda. Read more at the Washington State Standard.

Ferguson’s Office: Scandal Hits Right on Schedule

It didn’t take long for chaos to hit Bob Ferguson’s brand-new administration. One of his top advisors just resigned amid allegations of a toxic workplace, joining two other officials who recently bailed on the office. Chief Strategy Officer Mike Webb insists he never yelled or cursed, but apparently, something was bad enough to force him out. Ferguson, of course, is dodging questions, offering nothing but a boilerplate “thanks for your service” while promising to “re-evaluate” his already sinking team. At this rate, the biggest hiring challenge in Olympia might just be keeping people from running for the exits. Read more at Center Square.

Democrats’ Rent-a-Mob Strikes Again

According to KTTH’s Jason Rantz, what was supposed to be a Spokane town hall for U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane) on Monday quickly turned into a left-wing stunt after radical activists snatched up all the tickets before real constituents had a chance to attend. Rep. Baumgartner came ready for discussion, but the far-left crowd was more interested in heckling and grandstanding than having a real conversation. The same activist groups that have been harassing his office for weeks saw this as just another opportunity to stage a scene and push their political narrative. Even antisemitic behavior was on display—of course, civility isn’t ever on the agenda for these professional agitators. Baumgartner still tried to engage, but let’s be real: this wasn’t a real protest at a scheduled town hall, it was a coordinated leftist ambush. Read more at KTTH.

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