Democrats raised taxes… and still ended up maxing out the state’s credit card.

Borrow Now, Panic Later — Olympia’s Budget Magic Trick

Washington Democrats just pulled off an impressive feat: after passing the largest tax increase in state history, they’re now borrowing money to cover basic operating costs. Yes, really.

According to a new analysis, lawmakers are once again raiding the Public Works Assistance Account—the fund meant for local infrastructure like roads, bridges, and water systems—and diverting hundreds of millions to prop up the operating budget.

This isn’t new behavior, but it’s getting worse. Over $800 million is being siphoned off this biennium alone, with the state now forced to backfill the damage using bond debt—meaning higher interest costs than the very loans the program was designed to provide. In other words, they’re borrowing money… to replace money they already took.

Even officials tied to the program are sounding the alarm. The account is effectively being drained to the point where it can’t meet its obligations without borrowing, raising serious questions about whether the program is even sustainable long-term.

Local governments—who rely on these low-interest loans—are understandably frustrated. After all, this fund exists for a specific purpose, and watching it get treated like a legislative piggy bank every budget cycle isn’t exactly inspiring confidence.

Democrats didn’t just spend more—they spent so much that even record revenue wasn’t enough. So now they’re borrowing to cover the gap, weakening infrastructure funding in the process, and hoping no one notices that “fiscally responsible” apparently means running the state like a maxed-out credit card. Read more at Center Square.

“Emergency” Means No Vote — Olympia’s Favorite Loophole Strikes Again

Let’s Go Washington is suing Steve Hobbs after he blocked a public vote on the state’s new income tax—because apparently “democracy” now comes with fine print.

The fight centers on the bill’s “emergency clause,” a convenient little add-on Democrats used to shield the tax from a referendum. Translation: they passed the law and made sure voters can’t immediately overturn it.

LGW founder Brian Heywood says Hobbs didn’t just reject the referendum—he rewrote the Constitution to do it, expanding the definition of what qualifies as “necessary” for government support. And if that logic holds, pretty much anything the Legislature does could be labeled an “emergency,” permanently cutting voters out of the process.

Meanwhile, Hobbs’ office insists they’re just following precedent, arguing courts have long treated those constitutional clauses as separate—giving lawmakers broad cover to block referendums whenever they feel like it.

The timing isn’t exactly subtle. With a June 10 signature deadline looming, LGW is trying to fast-track the case straight to the Washington Supreme Court—because once that window closes, so does the public’s easiest path to challenge the law.

And this isn’t the only legal fight coming. A separate challenge backed by former Attorney General Rob McKenna is gearing up, arguing the income tax itself is unconstitutional under the state’s uniformity clause and 1% cap on property taxes—yes, that same inconvenient precedent Democrats keep hoping will just go away.

Democrats didn’t just pass a controversial income tax—they wrapped it in an “emergency” label to keep voters from weighing in, and now the courts will decide whether that’s governance… or just a clever way to dodge accountability. Read more at Center Square.

$6 Gas and Climbing — Washington Democrats’ Climate Dreams Hit Your Wallet

Washington drivers are getting crushed at the pump, with gas prices nearing $6 per gallon in multiple counties and averaging over $5.38 statewide—about 30% higher than the rest of the country.

In places like San Juan County, prices have blown past $6.32, while even the Seattle area is hovering around $5.68 per gallon. Meanwhile, the national average sits closer to $4.12. That’s not a small gap—that’s a policy-sized problem.

Prices have jumped nearly a full dollar in just the past month, and about the same over the past year. Washington now ranks among the most expensive states in the country for gas, trailing only California and Hawaii—basically the podium no one wants to be on.

Democrats will point to global oil markets and the Iran conflict—and yes, that’s part of the story. Oil prices have surged past $110 a barrel as tensions threaten supply routes like the Strait of Hormuz.

But here’s the part they don’t like to talk about: Washington was already one of the most expensive states for gas before the latest global spike. Why? A pile of state policies, taxes, and regulations that make fuel more expensive here than almost anywhere else in the country.

Even within the state, the contrast is telling. You can find gas closer to $4.60 in places like Asotin County—but in Democrat-run urban centers, prices skyrocket. Funny how that works.

And diesel? It’s flirting with an all-time high near $6.80 per gallon—meaning everything from groceries to construction costs is about to get more expensive too.

Global events may light the match, but Washington’s policies pour gasoline on the fire—leaving residents stuck footing the bill while Democrats double down on the same agenda that got them here. Read more at MyNorthwest.com.

Build First, Figure It Out Later — Seattle’s Favorite Governing Strategy

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is racing to roll out 500 homeless housing units before the FIFA World Cup 2026 hits town—but according to her own council staff, the plan is less “fast-track” and more “fantasy league.”

Even under the rosiest timeline, these “micro-modular” villages wouldn’t open until mid-July—after the World Cup crowds have already come and gone. Translation: the big cleanup effort conveniently misses the big event it was supposed to fix.

The plan itself hinges on three unpassed bills, including giving the mayor expanded power to bypass council oversight on land deals. Because nothing says “we’ve got this under control” like asking for more authority before proving you can deliver on the basics.

Then there’s the math problem Democrats seem allergic to: the city scraped together $17.5 million to get started—but has no real plan to cover the ongoing $35,000 per unit annual cost. So yes, they can build it… they just can’t afford to keep it running. Minor detail.

Analysts are also warning that rushing the process—skipping environmental reviews and fast-tracking approvals—could create a legal and logistical mess. But hey, what’s a little chaos when there’s a deadline and a press release to hit?

Bottom line: Democrats are once again selling urgency without a plan, timelines without feasibility, and spending without sustainability—hoping voters won’t notice the gap between the promise and reality until after the cameras leave town. Read more at Seattle Red.

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