The state’s “equity” housing program hands out taxpayer-funded loans based on race—because nothing says progress like reviving discrimination in the name of anti-discrimination.

Washington’s Housing Scheme: Because Skin Color Matters More Than Income Now

Washington Democrats are doubling down on race-based policymaking with the Covenant Homeownership Program, a housing assistance plan that hands out zero-interest loans for down payments and closing costs—but only if you check the correct racial box. Qualify financially but happen to be, say, Asian-American or Jewish? Sorry, you’re out of luck—even if your family was historically discriminated against.

A lawsuit filed by the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR), with help from the Pacific Legal Foundation, challenges the program’s constitutionality. The state’s defense? An “independent” study and some lofty rhetoric about historic injustice—while conveniently ignoring the 14th Amendment and any applicant who doesn’t fit their preferred identity group list. So much for equal protection under the law.

A federal judge dismissed the initial case on a technicality, not the merits, and gave FAIR until July 8 to refile. Apparently, the plaintiff didn’t show they qualified for a mortgage—not that the program itself wasn’t racially discriminatory. Even the judge hasn’t ruled on that central constitutional issue yet.

Still, the state is celebrating like it won the Civil Rights Lottery. Officials are proud to allocate public money based on nothing more than ancestry and government-approved racial categories, even expanding eligibility to higher incomes—because what’s a little more race-based favoritism among politically favored classes?

FAIR’s attorney nailed it: If the goal were to help victims of discrimination, the program should require proof of actual harm—not assume it based solely on race. But in Olympia, the color of your skin matters more than the contents of your bank account, your family history, or the Constitution.

So here we are in 2025: If your ancestors were redlined, you might get help—only if you belong to the state’s racially preferred shortlist. Discrimination in reverse is still discrimination. And Washington’s lawmakers are enthusiastically writing it into law. Read more at Center Square.

$31,000 to Be Lectured by Elitists Who Think “Perfection” Is Racist

In its never-ending quest to out-woke itself, Washington’s Office of Financial Management (OFM) blew $31,000 of your money on a four-day DEI indoctrination marathon. As KTTH’s Jason Rantz reports, the conference featured left-wing consultants declaring that “perfectionism” is rooted in white supremacy, that disagreeing with DEI proves you’re “uneducated,” and that the realproblem is conservatives being too grassroots and not elite enough.

Sessions like “Disrupting Perfectionism” claimed that striving for excellence is a byproduct of slavery, capitalism, and colonialism—because apparently wanting people to do their jobs well is oppression now. Meanwhile, attendees were told to dismiss all criticism of DEI as a shadowy right-wing conspiracy funded by the Heritage Foundation. Who knew ordinary people being tired of race-based policies was just billionaire-backed brainwashing?

The real kicker? These taxpayer-funded consultants wrapped their condescension in buzzwords like “liberation” and “empathy,” while dripping with contempt for anyone outside their echo chamber. One speaker even blamed his opponents’ inability to embrace DEI on their lack of higher education—but hey, he’s humble enough to acknowledge he’s just “privileged” to be that smart.

So if you thought maybe merit, fairness, and treating people as individuals still had a place in government workplaces, well—you’re the problem. But don’t worry. With enough of your money, they’ll keep “educating” you until you finally get it. Or at least until the next invoice is due. Read more at KTTH.

Washington: Where the Government Is HR for the Unions

A piece over at the Washington Policy Center highlights how, in Washington state, public employers aren’t just running schools and government agencies—they’re moonlighting as accountants for the unions. Rather than letting these well-funded special interest groups collect their own dues, state and local governments do it for them, shielding workers from even knowing they have a choice. So much for “serving the people.”

Despite the 2018 Janus v. AFSCME ruling that said public workers can’t be forced to pay union dues or join a union, many still don’t know their rights—because the government conveniently forgot to mention them. During onboarding, unions get the mic. State agencies? Silent. So unless you’re at a union rally or reading the posters they plaster everywhere, good luck finding out about your First Amendment rights.

Need help understanding your union deductions? HR sends you straight to the union. Questions about Janus rights? You won’t find them on Labor & Industries’ website or even on the state’s “Your Rights as a Worker” posters. But don’t worry—they cover just about everything except your right to say no.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, Democrats passed Senate Bill 5041, forcing employers—including taxpayers—to fund unemployment checks for workers on strike. You read that right. Unemployment insurance was meant for people laid off through no fault of their own, not union members refusing to work. Even public employees—who aren’t legally allowed to strike—are included in the handout.

Meanwhile, unions keep raking in dues, lobbying for higher taxes and more government spending, and building massive political war chests… while workers get left in the dark and taxpayers get stuck with the tab.

If Washington cared about workers, not union bosses, it would:

Stop automatic dues deductions and make unions collect their own money
Clearly inform workers of their Janus rights during hiring and on every state site
Keep HR neutral—not union sales reps
Protect the unemployment fund from becoming a union slush fund
Remind public workers: Strikes aren’t legal

But hey, when unions fund your campaigns, neutrality is just a nuisance. Read more at the Washington Policy Center.

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