Taxes & Cost of Living

Three initiatives granted hearings and looming concerns about selective action

Washington lawmakers have heeded the calls from citizens and have scheduled hearings next week for three out of the six initiatives that are before the state legislature including: the prohibition of state and local income tax, rolling back restrictions on police pursuit, and instituting parental notification laws. If we convince our lawmakers to pass these...

Olympia updates: Critical legislation on fentanyl, natural gas ban, rent control

With such an action-packed legislative session heading into its final two weeks, it can be difficult to keep track of all the bills being considered. Besides the six initiatives before the legislature, here are 4 bills you should know about. 1. SB 5010: Includes fentanyl and synthetic opioids felony child endangerment statute. As the number...

[un]Divided: Senator caught posting lies about CCA funding

State Senator Mark Liias used his government X account to share two easily fact-checked claims about what would happen if voters repeal the Climate Commitment Act. Brandi Kruse explains on the unDivided Podcast.

By Brandi Kruse

Your voices stopped a property tax hike in its tracks

Over the past few weeks we’ve asked our audience to contact lawmakers about SB 5770, a bill that would’ve tripled the rate at which local governments around the state could increase property taxes without a public vote, and congratulations – you did it! Thanks to the hundreds of people that reached out to their elected...

Halfway through session: WA lawmakers have curious priorities

Much of the attention during this legislative session has centered around the handling – or lack thereof – of the six citizen-led initiatives. Despite the state constitution’s requirement for them to take precedence over all matters aside from the state budget, none of them have been granted a hearing at the halfway point of the...

Alert: Hearing on bill that would raise your energy bills, eliminate options on natural gas

Wednesday morning, Washington lawmakers will consider HB 1589, a bill that would have massive ramifications on our state’s energy prices and options.

Rally: Demand Democrat legislators stop delaying democracy on voter initiatives

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, January 31, 2024, at 3:30PM WHERE: CAPITOL STEPS, North/Supreme Court Side WHO: Undivided Host Brandi Kruse and WA GOP Chair Jim Walsh will be featured speakers, joining Future 42 and grassroots activists from the Steelhead Alliance WHY: Our state’s Democratic lawmakers are failing to uphold constitutional mandates by obstructing the consideration of voter-backed...

Washington Democrats delaying democracy on voter initiatives

The Washington Constitution is clear: State lawmakers must prioritize ballot initiatives championed by voters. But Democratic state lawmakers are refusing to play by the rules. Not one of the three certified initiatives before the legislature has been granted a hearing.

[un]Divided: Public-private effort to end homelessness implodes

Some of Washington state’s wealthiest companies stepped up to help fund a new effort to end homelessness. The only problem? Unlike agencies that spend taxpayer funds, businesses weren’t willing to watch their money be mismanaged. Brandi Kruse has more on the unDivided Podcast.

By Brandi Kruse

[un]Divided: Legislative preview: Fate of the carbon tax

Ahead of the 2024 legislative session, Brandi Krusee gives us everything we need to know about the fate of Governor Jay Inslee’s Climate Commitment Act.

By Brandi Kruse

You can help repeal the payroll tax that is costing Washingtonians

Last summer, Washingtonians were hit with a new payroll tax that left employees with no option but to have money taken out of their paychecks. This new tax will supposedly cover a deeply unpopular long-term care program that is unlikely to provide the care it is supposed to subsidize. Now, the state is taking 58...

[un]Divided: Trail of lies, concealment around high gas prices

A whistleblower claims he resigned from his job with the state rather than lie about the impact Governor Jay Inslee’s carbon tax would have on gas prices. On the unDivided Podcast, Brandi Kruse argues that there is mounting evidence of government misconduct around implementation of the climate program.

By Brandi Kruse

Former WSDOT economist accuses state leaders of retaliation for refusing to lie about gas prices

We’ve been talking about the problems with Washington’s cap-and-trade program for months and it’s impact on gas prices. Now, former state economist Scott Smith — the person primarily responsible for forecasting gas prices for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) — is speaking out. When his analysis caused him to believe prices would significantly...

You can help repeal Washington’s capital gains tax

In Washington state, some politicians are trying to weaken a key protection for every taxpayer. But voters now have a window of opportunity to stop them in their tracks. Here’s how their scheme works – and simple steps voters can take to protect Washington family businesses. How lawmakers skirted Washington’s taxpayer protections The Washington Constitution...