The fight over your wallet: Capping property tax increases, rent control, wealth tax, and the Jumpstart payroll tax
The fight over your wallet: Capping property tax increases, rent control, wealth tax, and the Jumpstart payroll tax
This legislative session that began this week has already seen four proposals that could hit Washingtonians right where it hurts: their wallets. With a $6.7 billion budget shortfall looming, state legislative leaders are eyeing measures like raising the property tax cap, rent control, a wealth tax, and a statewide version of Seattle’s Jumpstart Payroll Tax....
[un]Divided: Bob Ferguson is suddenly acting like a fiscal conservative
[un]Divided: Bob Ferguson is suddenly acting like a fiscal conservative
Washington’s new governor Bob Ferguson is proposing a 6% cut to spending, breaking with members of his own party, who are pushing new taxes to solve the state’s budget deficit. But as Brandi Kruse points out on unDivided, Washingtonians should be very skeptical about Ferguson’s newfound fiscal conservatism.
By Brandi Kruse
New poll: Washingtonians advise governor, lawmakers on budget shortfall
New poll: Washingtonians advise governor, lawmakers on budget shortfall
New polling from Napolitan News Service released today provides an update on where Washington voters stand on potential tax increases, as lawmakers begin a legislative session and must decide how to address a $12 billion budget shortfall over the next several years. Some highlights from the poll include: Seventy-eight percent (78%) of voters believe that taxes in Washington...
[un]Divided: Federal report buries cause of WA’s homeless crisis
[un]Divided: Federal report buries cause of WA’s homeless crisis
As many of us already know, Washington has one of the worst homelessness problems in the nation. A new report to Congress details the extent of the problem – but ignores the biggest contributing factor. Brandi Kruse breaks it down on unDivided.
By Brandi Kruse
Wall Street Journal: Inslee’s Last Tax Insult to Washington
Wall Street Journal: Inslee’s Last Tax Insult to Washington
Governor Inslee – who once said, “I do not believe tax increases are the right path for the state of Washington” when he was running for governor in 2012 – has proposed a consequential tax on unrealized capital gains, a “wealth tax” as he and others are calling it, and it’s garnered national attention from...
[un]Divided: Seattle business owner says crime, drugs have made city ‘hell’
[un]Divided: Seattle business owner says crime, drugs have made city ‘hell’
Rachael Savage says she’s woken up to the destructive nature of Seattle’s policies after seeing the crime and drug crisis take over the streets outside her business. She joined Brandi Kruse on unDivided to talk about her work to wake up fellow citizens. Watch unDivided at unDividedpod.com.
By Brandi Kruse
Inslee’s legacy on crime: Will WA’s next governor chart a new course?
Inslee’s legacy on crime: Will WA’s next governor chart a new course?
Gov. Jay Inslee’s third term in office comes to an end on January 13, 2025, at which point he will have served in the position of Washington’s highest executive for twelve years. Earlier, Future 42 has covered Inslee’s legacy on growing state government bureaucracy, raising cost-of-living for working class families, and perhaps most ironically, his...
[un]Divided: Here’s what happened after Federal Way made 400% more drug arrests
[un]Divided: Here’s what happened after Federal Way made 400% more drug arrests
Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell says his city has seen a dramatic decrease in crime now that officers can pursue vehicles and arrest people for using drugs. He joined unDivided with Brandi Kruse to discuss. Watch unDivided five days a week at unDividedpod.com.
By Brandi Kruse
2025 Roanoke President: “Something for everyone” at conference
2025 Roanoke President: “Something for everyone” at conference
Project 42 is again a proud sponsor of the annual Roanoke Conference held in beautiful Ocean Shores. The premier event for moderate and right-leaning activists, staffers, and elected officials (held the weekend of January 24 – 26) will likely sell-out again, so register today. We sat down with 2025 Roanoke Conference President Kaitlin Vintertun to...
Center Square Washington: Washington natural gas initiative backer files suit to force state to comply
Center Square Washington: Washington natural gas initiative backer files suit to force state to comply
On Thursday, December 5th, Initiative 2066 to protect access to Natural Gas went into law. Unfortunately, an unelected board called the WA State Building Code Council (BCC) has decided to take it upon themselves to ignore I-2066, and illegally keep their building codes in place that effectively ban Natural Gas in new construction. BIAW Executive...
[un]Divided: I-2066 takes effect on Thursday – but there’s a fight ahead
[un]Divided: I-2066 takes effect on Thursday – but there’s a fight ahead
An initiative to protect natural gas becomes law this Thursday, but it’s already being attacked on multiple fronts. Greg Lane with the Building Industry Association of Washington explains how they’re working to defend I-2066 and the will of voters. Watch unDivided five days a week. Learn more at unDividedpod.com.
By Brandi Kruse
Action Alert: Threat to Natural Gas Usage Still in Effect 🚨
Action Alert: Threat to Natural Gas Usage Still in Effect 🚨
When Washington lawmakers enacted a defacto ban on natural gas service earlier this year, people across the state were outraged. Just a few weeks after the new law was signed by the Governor, a half million Washingtonians signed an initiative to get a repeal on the ballot. At the election nearly two million Washingtonians voted...
Edmonds RFA proposal would add new property tax burden on residents
Edmonds RFA proposal would add new property tax burden on residents
City of Edmonds finances are currently in dire straits. City leaders are looking at a $13 million budget deficit in their 2025 budget. Without spending cuts or additional tax revenue, the city is projected to be insolvent by as soon as 2027. One way city leaders are considering raising additional tax revenue is by annexing...
Washingtonians in Seattle and two counties rise up to oppose tax hikes
Washingtonians in Seattle and two counties rise up to oppose tax hikes
Seemingly emboldened by the recent election results, some local elected officials in Seattle and in two of the largest counties in the state have been eager to propose and vote on various tax hikes before the end of the year. But they didn’t count on the response from constituents they’ve been seeing thanks to your...