Turns out Washington Democrats built a first-time homebuyer program that works great—if you’re first in line and allowed to double-dip.

Democrats’ Housing “Help” Finds a New Way to Help the Same Few Over and Over

Washington Democrats have spent millions of taxpayer dollars patting themselves on the back for “helping” first-time homebuyers—only to discover their programs come with a gaping loophole. Under current rules, some buyers can stack multiple state-funded down payment programs on a single home, letting a lucky few scoop up oversized assistance while everyone else is told, “Sorry, funds are gone.”

The result? Limited housing dollars burn out fast, qualified families are left empty-handed, and Democrats act shocked that a poorly designed government program produced unfair outcomes.

Rep. April Connors (R-Kennewick) is stepping in with House Bill 2153 for the 2026 session to apply a radical concept: one state down payment award per home purchase. The bill would apply to programs like the Community Reinvestment Program, the Housing Trust Fund, and the Covenant Homeownership Program—still allowing applications to all, but limiting buyers to accepting just one.

The fix comes after whistleblowers raised concerns that money was being funneled through “preferred” channels and stacked in ways that benefited insiders instead of spreading help broadly. Rep. Andrew Barkis (R-Olympia) summed it up bluntly: people do everything right, then find out the money vanished.

Once again, Republicans are left cleaning up after Democrats confuse “equity” with letting government programs be gamed—while taxpayers foot the bill and families keep waiting. Read more at Seattle Red.

Progressive Spokane: Where Healthcare Costs Like Seattle, Paychecks Don’t

A new WalletHub report delivers some brutal math for Spokane families: the city ranks ninth worst in the nation for healthcare costs relative to income. Not because doctor visits or prescriptions are wildly expensive—but because wages lag far behind while costs keep marching upward.

Spokane households spend 9.16% of their monthly income on healthcare, despite earning a median income of just $65,745, barely half of Seattle’s $121,984. Yet basic medical care costs about the same in both cities. Unsurprisingly, Seattle ranks a comfortable 74th on the list, while Spokane families get crushed.

And it’s not just residents feeling the squeeze. City Hall is scrambling too. Mayor Lisa Brown’s administration is warning city employees to brace for a 25% spike in medical premiums in 2026, thanks to an $8 million shortfall in the Employee Benefits Fund—patched temporarily by draining reserves just to limp through 2025.

This is the predictable outcome of years of Democratic governance: stagnant wages, rising costs, and government finances so fragile they need emergency fund raids to stay afloat. Spokane residents are paying more for less, and the people in charge are sending “heavy hearts” emails instead of fixing the problem. Read more at Seattle Red.

Seattle’s Straw Crackdown: Because Freedom Is Optional, But Paper Is Mandatory

A recent article on MyNorthwest.com describes how a simple stop for a Coke in North Seattle turned into a reminder of how progressive policymaking works in practice. Want a straw? You don’t just grab one—you have to ask. Washington is one of the only states with an “ask first” straw policy, meaning single-use straws are treated like a restricted item. Say the magic word, or sip like a caveman.

Seattle, of course, took things further. Back in 2018, city leaders proudly banned plastic straws outright, forcing restaurants to switch to paper or compostable versions. Mission accomplished, whales saved—at least according to the press releases.

Reality is less flattering. Plastic straws make up a microscopic share of ocean pollution, while the real offenders—fishing gear, bottles, and global waste mismanagement—remain largely ignored. Even Stanford researchers warned years ago that straw bans mostly create moral self-satisfaction, not meaningful environmental change.

And the replacements? Paper straws that dissolve mid-drink, taste like soggy cardboard, and—thanks to PFAS—may be worse for your health than the plastic they replaced.

It’s peak Seattle logic: ignore graffiti, crime, and trash, but regulate the straw. The result is pure performative politics—maximum inconvenience, minimum impact, and Democrats congratulating themselves while everyone else drinks through a damp napkin. Read more at MyNorthwest.com.

Rep. Dan Newhouse Announces Retirement, Creating Open WA-04 Seat in 2026

Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04) announced he will not seek reelection in 2026, officially opening up Washington’s Fourth Congressional District for the first time in over a decade.

In his statement, Newhouse said the decision comes after more than 25 years in public service, including over 10 years in the U.S. House, calling it the “honor of my life” to represent Central Washington. He expressed gratitude to constituents, colleagues from both parties, and his family, and said he leaves with confidence that “qualified and serious people” are already expressing interest in succeeding him.

Newhouse emphasized he will continue serving the district through the end of his term, while framing his departure as a passing of the torch to the next generation of leadership.

With his announcement, WA-04 is now an open seat for the 2026 election, setting up what is expected to be a competitive race in a reliably Republican district that spans much of Central Washington. Read the press release here.

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