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Are you tired of paying hundreds of dollars for your car-tabs? You’re not alone. Earlier this week, 286,003 signatures were submitted by Tim Eyman for Initiative 976, which would reduce car-tab fees to $30 and get rid of the Sound Transit motor vehicle excise tax. The measure needs 259,622 valid signatures to qualify, and more signatures will be turned in over the next week or so.

Assuming the measure qualifies, it will be voted on by the legislature before appearing on the ballot. The Everett Herald reports that “initiative 976 is a proposed initiative to the legislature. If it qualifies, state lawmakers will have the option to adopt it as written or not, in which case it would go on the ballot. Lawmakers also can put an alternative measure in front of voters as well.”

The same article goes on to say I-976 “would lower car-tab fees on passenger vehicles to $30 and eliminate the 1.1 percent in excise taxes approved by voters to fund Sound Transit light rail projects.”

This initiative would put more money back into the pockets of residents in the Puget Sound area that are dealing with sky high car-tab fees due to Sound Transit. The large transit organization uses a vehicle valuation system that is extremely outdated and has lead to skyrocketing car-tab fees. Not only is the valuation system old, it has even been previously repealed by the legislature. Earlier this year, KING 5 reported that “the state legislature did away with the 1996 valuation schedule in 2000 and replaced it with a new schedule in 2006.”

As Sound Transit has continued to use a repealed vehicle valuation system that leads to car-tab fees of hundreds of dollars, many Puget Sound residents are rightfully upset. Voters got more than they bargained for with the new car-tab tax increase. Thankfully, it looks like an initiative will soon appear on the ballot and voters will be able to voice their distaste for  the terribly high car-tab fees.

With summer coming to a close and the new school year right around the corner, many students and parents are busy getting ready for the new year to begin. While families focus on back to school shopping and coordinating schedules to prepare for school, many teachers are going on strike, putting a wrench in these plans. After the Washington Legislature restructured how schools are funded in 2017, teachers unions are still up in arms, and preventing students from going back to school.

Liv Finne, the education policy director for Washington Policy Center, was on the Dori Monson show earlier this week and explained that “with teachers from 15 school districts around the state voting to strike, the teachers union is ‘using strikes to intimidate districts into providing these pay increases that they cannot afford…’” Liv goes on to say that “the strikes will affect one in five public school students in the state — a total of 200,000 kids.”

The teachers are striking for significant wage increases. What these teachers aren’t explaining is that if they get what they are asking for, it will end up costing the taxpayers more money. Thanks to the McCleary legislation passed in 2017, the state is spending a lot more money on education than they were in the past. At the same time, schools are still being funded by old local levies for 2018. Part of the McCleary legislation required these local levies to be strictly limited, starting in January of 2019. So right now, there is an abundance of money that teacher unions are trying to take advantage of before it dries up. The problem is, when this “levy cliff” takes hold in 2019, these wage increases will fall on to the backs of taxpayers, who already feel the strain from increased property taxes, an increased sales tax, car tab fees, and more.

Ultimately, these illegal teacher strikes are just another money-grab attempt by the local teacher unions. Taxpayers will be asked to bear the burden when the local levy money dries up in January of 2019. You can be assured that the Democrats in the Legislature will again start pushing for a state income tax. 

Below are candidates endorsed by the King County Republican Party for the General Election taking place on Tuesday November 6th, 2018. Ballots were mailed on October 17th and will begin arriving in mailboxes soon after. Ballots must be postmarked by November 6th or in a ballot drop box by 8pm on November 6th to be counted.

Questions about other races on your ballot that you don’t see here? Please contact our office at 425.990.0404.

Federal

United States Senator – Susan Hutchison
United States Representative Congressional District No. 1 – Jeffrey Beeler
United States Representative Congressional District No. 8 – Dino Rossi

Legislative

• 1st Legislative District
  Legislative District No. 1 State Representative Position No. 2 – Debra Blodgett
• 5th Legislative District
  Legislative District No. 5 State Representative Position No. 1 – Chad Magendanz
  Legislative District No. 5 State Representative Position No. 2 – Paul Graves
• 30th Legislative District
  Legislative District No. 30 State Senator – Mark Miloscia
  Legislative District No. 30 State Representative Position No. 1 – Linda Kochmar
  Legislative District No. 30 State Representative Position No. 2 – Mark Greene
• 31st Legislative District
  Legislative District No. 31 State Senator – Phil Fortunato
  Legislative District No. 31 State Representative Position No. 1 – Drew Stokesbary
  Legislative District No. 31 State Representative Position No. 2 – Morgan Irwin
• 32nd Legislative District
  Legislative District No. 32 State Representative Position No. 1 – Diodato (Dio) Boucsieguez
  Legislative District No. 32 State Representative Position No. 2 – Frank Deisler
• 33rd Legislative District
  Legislative District No. 33 State Representative Position No. 2 – Anthony Lamb
• 37th Legislative District
  Legislative District No. 37 State Senator – Beth Broadway
• 39th Legislative District
  Legislative District No. 39 State Senator – Keith Wagoner
  Legislative District No. 39 State Representative Position No. 2 – Carolyn Eslick
• 41st Legislative District
  Legislative District No. 41 State Representative Position No. 1 – Tim Cruickshank
  Legislative District No. 41 State Representative Position No. 2 – Michael Appleby
• 43rd Legislative District
  Legislative District No. 43 State Senator – Dan Harder
  Legislative District No. 43 State Representative Position No. 1 – John Peeples
  Legislative District No. 43 State Representative Position No. 2 – Claire Torstenbo
• 45th Legislative District
  Legislative District No. 45 State Senator – Dale Fonk
  Legislative District No. 45 State Representative Position No. 1 – Michael Curtis
  Legislative District No. 45 State Representative Position No. 2 – Amber Krabach
• 46th Legislative District
  Legislative District No. 46 State Senator – Beth Daranciang
  Legislative District No. 46 State Representative Position No. 2 – Jerry Zeiger-Buccola
• 47th Legislative District
  Legislative District No. 47 State Senator – Joe Fain
  Legislative District No. 47 State Representative Position No. 1 – Mark Hargrove
  Legislative District No. 47 State Representative Position No. 2 – Ted Cooke

 

Judicial
Northeast Electoral District, Judge Position 1 – Marcus Naylor

Initiatives
Initiative 940: NO
Initiative 1631: NO
Initiative 1634: YES
Initiative 1639: NO

 

To Victory,
Chairman Lori Sotelo

Now hiring temporary employees… one week only, no experience needed!

The King County Republican Party is now hiring temporary field workers to help with our Get Out the Vote efforts. Positions start on October 13th and will go through October 18th. 

Pay is $20.00 per hour.  

We are in need of 80 people for this particular opportunity, so please share this message with anyone you know who may be looking for a work opportunity!

If you are interested in this opportunity, fill out the form below and we will be in touch.

Join the King County Republican Party for our 2018 Liberty Dinner & Auction on the evening of Thursday, November 1st at the Bellevue Hyatt Regency.

Our keynote speaker you may know from The 15:17 to Paris, Alek Skarlatos, received worldwide attention by helping stop a gunman on a Paris Bound Train in 2015. His heroic actions have awarded him multiple international medals and recognition, including the United State’s Soldier’s Medal. After serving his country, Alek traveled around the world speaking on the event, starred in a movie created by Clint Eastwood, and competed in Dancing with the Stars! Alek is also currently running for Douglas County Commissioner in Oregon.

In addition, guests will have an opportunity to hear from candidates running for office across King County, the always entertaining John Curley, and more. There will also be many fantastic items and experiences to bid on during both the live and silent auction. This is an event you won’t want to miss.

Ticket prices start at $125 for general admission. Silent auction, general, and VIP receptions will begin at 6pm and the dinner program & live auction will begin at 7pm.

VIP guests will get preferred seating for the dinner and have access to the VIP reception, which will include a photo opportunity with Alek and a signed book.

Please join us on November 1st for a great evening and let’s help get our King County Republican candidates across the finish line!

Fill out the form below to purchase tickets today, and be sure to invite your friends to this great event!

Do you have an item you would like to contribute to the auction? We are gladly accepting donations for both the silent and live auction. Click here to fill out a form, or email Lane Covington at [email protected] for more information.

Earlier this week, while the air quality across King County was extremely unhealthy due to wildfires in Canada, Governor Jay Inslee used the opportunity to grandstand and promote a gas tax (Initiative 1631). The Governor’s alter ego, “Captain Planet,” has been pushing a gas tax for years, and the idea has failed to pass in both the Legislature as well as an initiative in a previous election. Inslee and the rest of those advocating for this tax do not seem to understand one very clear issue: a gas tax is unwanted.

 

Sadly, a gas tax in Washington State has no impact on the smoke blowing down from Canada to pollute the Puget Sound region. But that didn’t stop our governor. Last week, as our state was blanketed in smoke and haze from forest fires, Inslee surrounded himself with children on a smoky playground scene, claiming the virtues of his latest gas tax initiative at a press conference. The smoke from this week’s wildfires in Canada (a country that already embraces a carbon tax) is hardly related to combustion engine emissions. Connecting the smoke from wildfires with a gas tax is simply misleading and dishonest.

 

According to Todd Myers from the Washington Policy Center, “the tax would start at 20 cents per gallon and increase about six percent per year (3.5% plus inflation). In 2029, the tax would be about 36 cents per gallon.” The idea of imposing a tax on gas and carbon emissions has been on the Democrat’s minds for a while now, as they worked to try and pass it as an initiative in 2016. I-732, or the Washington Carbon Emission Tax and Sales Tax Reduction, was overwhelming rejected by voters, losing 59.25% to 40.75%. Thankfully, we are happy to report that SB 6203, a bill that would create a gas tax, failed to pass the state Senate this year. Now, Democrat leaders have pushed for it to be on the ballot again as an initiative.

 

A gas tax was soundly rejected by Washington voters in 2016 and fell flat in the legislature earlier this year. Yet “Captain Planet” and the rest of those advocating for a gas tax are still trying to find a way to force its creation, this time as another initiative. Voters should do what they did in 2016 and vote no on a gas tax (I-1631 when it appears on ballots across the state this November.

Earlier this week, it was reported that 8th Congressional District candidate Kim Schrier compared her campaign to fighting in World War II. These comments made by Schrier are extremely disrespectful to the selfless veterans who actually put their lives on the line and served in WWII. A political campaign involves no physical threat compared to fighting in a war and the comparison that was made is simply appalling.

After learning of these comments from Kim Schrier, veterans from across the region released a joint statement that was distributed by the Washington State Republican Party. The statement opened with the veterans expressing their “deep concern and disappointment in congressional candidate Kim Schrier’s comments, comparing the sacrifices made by veterans to her political campaign.”

KIRO radio host Dori Monson picked up the story on his show and added “this is a nauseating comparison. It shows such a lack of perspective. You’re not likely going to take a bullet in your brain like all of the young men at the front of those landing boats in the first wave at Normandy.”

8th Congressional District candidate Kim Schrier’s extremely hyperbolic comparison of campaigning to fighting in WWII proves that she is out of touch with reality, and out of touch with the constituents of the 8th Congressional District. Current Congressman Dave Reichert has always focused on veterans during his time in office, and Republican candidate Dino Rossi would do the same. Schrier, on the other hand, does not seem to respect our veterans in the way they have so earned and deserve.

Last month, The News Tribune reported that the Federal way light rail project is $460 million over budget, adding up to a total projected cost of more than $2.5 billion. This news comes just one year after it was announced that the Lynnwood light rail station was $500 million over budget and would be completed six months late. After a huge increase in car tab fees, an increased sales tax, and more, voters from across the region are fed up with Sound Transit. It is time for the organization to be held more accountable.

Sound Transit is quickly building a pattern of going significantly over budget. Mariya Frost at the Washington Policy Center explains that “In just one year, Sound Transit has reported over $1 billion in cost overruns.”

In both the Lynnwood and Federal Way projects, Sound Transit has deflected the blame, putting it on labor, materials, and land costs rather than owning up to their huge mistakes.

This past year, Sound Transit has been taking a great deal of taxpayer money through insanely high car tab fees, an increased sales tax, and more. Yet the transit agency has proven that they are not able to handle taxpayer money properly. Voters should stand up against Sound Transit and communicate their opposition to cost overruns and delays. The organization must be held accountable. Going over budget by hundreds of millions of dollars (twice!) is simply unacceptable.

The deadline to cast your ballot for the 2018 primary election is less than a week away and closing in quickly. Be sure to submit your ballot by Tuesday, August 7th, by placing it in an official ballot drop box or mailing it in. For a list of official ballot drop box locations, click here.

This election has crucial races all over King County, from races in Shoreline to Enumclaw and everywhere in between.

Below are candidates endorsed by the King County Republican Party for the 2018 primary election.

Questions about other races on your ballot that you don’t see here or would like to help out with a local campaign? Please contact our office at 425.990.0404.

Candidates

Federal

• United States Senator – Susan Hutchison
• United States Senator – Art Coday
• United States Senator – Dave Bryant
• United States Representative Congressional District No. 1 – Jeffrey Beeler
• United States Representative Congressional District No. 8 – Dino Rossi

 

Legislative

1st Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 1 State Representative Position No. 2 – Debra Blodgett

 

5th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 5 State Representative Position No. 1 – Chad Magendanz
• Legislative District No. 5 State Representative Position No. 2 – Paul Graves

 

30th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 30 State Senator – Mark Miloscia
• Legislative District No. 30 State Representative Position No. 1 – Linda Kochmar
• Legislative District No. 30 State Representative Position No. 2 – Mark Greene

 

31st Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 31 State Senator – Phil Fortunato
• Legislative District No. 31 State Representative Position No. 1 – Drew Stokesbary
• Legislative District No. 31 State Representative Position No. 2 – Morgan Irwin

 

32nd Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 32 State Senator – James Wood
• Legislative District No. 32 State Representative Position No. 1 – Diodato (Dio) Boucsieguez
• Legislative District No. 32 State Representative Position No. 2 – Frank Deisler

 

33rd Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 33 State Representative Position No. 2 – Anthony Lamb

 

37th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 37 State Senator – Beth Broadway

 

39th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 39 State Senator – Keith Wagoner
• Legislative District No. 39 State Representative Position No. 1 – Randy Hayden
• Legislative District No. 39 State Representative Position No. 2 – Carolyn Eslick

 

41st Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 41 State Representative Position No. 1 – Tim Cruickshank
• Legislative District No. 41 State Representative Position No. 2 – Michael Appleby

 

43rd Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 43 State Senator – Dan Harder
• Legislative District No. 43 State Representative Position No. 1 – John Peeples
• Legislative District No. 43 State Representative Position No. 2 – Claire Torstenbo

 

45th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 45 State Senator – Dale Fonk
• Legislative District No. 45 State Representative Position No. 1 – Michael Curtis
• Legislative District No. 45 State Representative Position No. 2 – Amber Krabach

 

46th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 46 State Senator – Beth Daranciang
• Legislative District No. 46 State Representative Position No. 2 – Jerry Zeiger-Buccola

 

47h Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 47 State Senator – Joe Fain
• Legislative District No. 47 State Representative Position No. 1 – Mark Hargrove
• Legislative District No. 47 State Representative Position No. 2 – Lindsey Shumway
• Legislative District No. 47 State Representative Position No. 2 – Ted Cooke

The 2018 primary election is in full swing and the deadline to submit your ballot is closing quickly. Be sure to submit your ballot by Tuesday, August 7th, by placing it in an official ballot drop box or mailing it in. For a list of official ballot drop box locations, click here.

This election has crucial races all over King County, from races in Shoreline to Enumclaw and everywhere in between.

Below are candidates endorsed by the King County Republican Party for the 2018 primary election.

Questions about other races on your ballot that you don’t see here or would like to help out with a local campaign? Please contact our office at 425.990.0404.

Candidates

Federal

• United States Senator – Susan Hutchison
• United States Senator – Art Coday
• United States Senator – Dave Bryant
• United States Representative Congressional District No. 1 – Jeffrey Beeler
• United States Representative Congressional District No. 8 – Dino Rossi

 

Legislative

1st Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 1 State Representative Position No. 2 – Debra Blodgett

5th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 5 State Representative Position No. 1 – Chad Magendanz
• Legislative District No. 5 State Representative Position No. 2 – Paul Graves

30th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 30 State Senator – Mark Miloscia
• Legislative District No. 30 State Representative Position No. 1 – Linda Kochmar
• Legislative District No. 30 State Representative Position No. 2 – Mark Greene

31st Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 31 State Senator – Phil Fortunato
• Legislative District No. 31 State Representative Position No. 1 – Drew Stokesbary
• Legislative District No. 31 State Representative Position No. 2 – Morgan Irwin

32nd Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 32 State Senator – James Wood
• Legislative District No. 32 State Representative Position No. 1 – Diodato (Dio) Boucsieguez
• Legislative District No. 32 State Representative Position No. 2 – Frank Deisler

33rd Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 33 State Representative Position No. 2 – Anthony Lamb

37th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 37 State Senator – Beth Broadway

39th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 39 State Senator – Keith Wagoner
• Legislative District No. 39 State Representative Position No. 1 – Randy Hayden
• Legislative District No. 39 State Representative Position No. 2 – Carolyn Eslick

41st Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 41 State Representative Position No. 1 – Tim Cruickshank
• Legislative District No. 41 State Representative Position No. 2 – Michael Appleby

43rd Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 43 State Senator – Dan Harder
• Legislative District No. 43 State Representative Position No. 1 – John Peeples
• Legislative District No. 43 State Representative Position No. 2 – Claire Torstenbo

45th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 45 State Senator – Dale Fonk
• Legislative District No. 45 State Representative Position No. 1 – Michael Curtis
• Legislative District No. 45 State Representative Position No. 2 – Amber Krabach

46th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 46 State Senator – Beth Daranciang
• Legislative District No. 46 State Representative Position No. 2 – Jerry Zeiger-Buccola

47h Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 47 State Senator – Joe Fain
• Legislative District No. 47 State Representative Position No. 1 – Mark Hargrove
• Legislative District No. 47 State Representative Position No. 2 – Ted Cooke
• Legislative District No. 47 State Representative Position No. 2 – Lindsey Shumway

Below are candidates endorsed by the King County Republican Party for the primary election taking place on Tuesday August 7th, 2018. Ballots were mailed on July 18th and will begin arriving in mailboxes soon after. Ballots must be postmarked by August 7th or in a ballot drop box by 8pm on August 7th to be counted.

Questions about other races on your ballot that you don’t see here? Please contact our office at 425.990.0404.

Candidates

Federal

• United States Senator – Susan Hutchison
• United States Senator – Art Coday
• United States Senator – Dave Bryant
• United States Representative Congressional District No. 1 – Jeffrey Beeler
• United States Representative Congressional District No. 8 – Dino Rossi

 

Legislative

1st Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 1 State Representative Position No. 2 – Debra Blodgett

5th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 5 State Representative Position No. 1 – Chad Magendanz
• Legislative District No. 5 State Representative Position No. 2 – Paul Graves

30th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 30 State Senator – Mark Miloscia
• Legislative District No. 30 State Representative Position No. 1 – Linda Kochmar
• Legislative District No. 30 State Representative Position No. 2 – Mark Greene

31st Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 31 State Senator – Phil Fortunato
• Legislative District No. 31 State Representative Position No. 1 – Drew Stokesbary
• Legislative District No. 31 State Representative Position No. 2 – Morgan Irwin

32nd Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 32 State Senator – James Wood
• Legislative District No. 32 State Representative Position No. 1 – Diodato (Dio) Boucsieguez
• Legislative District No. 32 State Representative Position No. 2 – Frank Deisler

33rd Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 33 State Representative Position No. 2 – Anthony Lamb

37th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 37 State Senator – Beth Broadway

39th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 39 State Senator – Keith Wagoner
• Legislative District No. 39 State Representative Position No. 1 – Randy Hayden
• Legislative District No. 39 State Representative Position No. 2 – Carolyn Eslick

41st Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 41 State Representative Position No. 1 – Tim Cruickshank
• Legislative District No. 41 State Representative Position No. 2 – Michael Appleby

43rd Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 43 State Senator – Dan Harder
• Legislative District No. 43 State Representative Position No. 1 – John Peeples
• Legislative District No. 43 State Representative Position No. 2 – Claire Torstenbo

45th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 45 State Senator – Dale Fonk
• Legislative District No. 45 State Representative Position No. 1 – Michael Curtis
• Legislative District No. 45 State Representative Position No. 2 – Amber Krabach

46th Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 46 State Senator – Beth Daranciang
• Legislative District No. 46 State Representative Position No. 2 – Jerry Zeiger-Buccola

47h Legislative District

• Legislative District No. 47 State Senator – Joe Fain
• Legislative District No. 47 State Representative Position No. 1 – Mark Hargrove
• Legislative District No. 47 State Representative Position No. 2 – Ted Cooke
• Legislative District No. 47 State Representative Position No. 2 – Lindsey Shumway

Back in March, a statewide initiative that would ban cities and counties in Washington from placing taxes on soda and other sugary drinks was proposed and the idea quickly started to build momentum.  The original announcement of this plan to prevent local governments from imposing these kinds of taxes came just a few months after a soda tax officially went into effect in Seattle. Now, it is being reported that Initiative 1634 will likely appear on the November ballot.

Earlier this week, MyNorthwest reported that “organizers behind Initiative 1634, which would bar local governments from imposing taxes on sweetened beverages, delivered 291,000 signatures to the secretary of state’s office on Thursday in hopes of making the November ballot. The Spokesman Review reports another 60,000 signatures are expected Friday afternoon.”

Ever since the soda tax in Seattle was rolled out, shoppers have been shocked to see how much the sugary drink tax has actually changed the price of their favorite drinks in the city. Back in January, a photo that was being circulated on social media from a Seattle Costco showed that a case of Gatorade that originally cost $15.99 now costs $26.33, an increase of $10.34 because of the new tax.

After Seattle passed the tax on sugary drinks, many citizens across Washington were concerned that their cities and counties would start imposing similar taxes. Thankfully, Washingtonians will likely get the chance to vote on an initiative in November that would prevent other cities from enacting similar taxes. Businesses and citizens across Washington are joining together to prevent sugary drink taxes from being imposed in their communities after seeing the impact that the tax is having on consumers in Seattle.

Now hiring… no experience needed!

The King County Republican Party and Republican campaigns across King County are seeking independent, motivated, and personable applicants for campaign activities for the 2018 Election. The KCGOP is acting as a clearinghouse for campaigns at all levels. No prior campaign experience is required.

Paid positions are available starting immediately!

If you are interested in a position, please email your resume to [email protected].

This week has been an amazing week for conservatives with a number of very significant victories at the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of pro-life crisis pregnancy centers, upheld the travel ban, and ruled against powerful unions.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a California law that required pro-life crisis pregnancy centers to post information on how to receive an abortion. According to Fox News, “the law also required unlicensed, non-medical facilities to inform clients that they are not licensed medical providers.”  These centers serve pregnant women by offering services such as pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, counseling, and more. The ruling by the Supreme Court will protect the very important work that crisis pregnancy centers do to help women who are expecting.

Also on Tuesday, the Supreme Court upheld President Trump’s travel ban affecting several countries. This ruling is the first Supreme Court decision on a policy from the President’s administration. Click here for a statement from President Trump on the ruling.

One day later on Wednesday, the Supreme Court made an extremely important decision in which they ruled against powerful unions in the case Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. This particular ruling prevents workers from being forced to pay fees to public sector unions. As National Review reports in other words, the decision denies “the unions’ right to force individuals who are opposed to their positions and policies to pay into union coffers.” Thanks to this ruling, public employees are not forced to pay fees to unions that they do not support.

In addition to these three very important rulings, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced he will be retiring after 30 years of serving on the high court. Originally appointed by President Ronald Reagan, we are very thankful for Justice Kennedy’s service. His retirement opens up the door for President Trump to really secure a conservative majority in the United States Supreme Court. Click here for a list of candidates being considered by the President.

With the rulings on crisis pregnancy centers, President Trump’s travel ban, and powerful unions, Republicans saw three huge wins in the Supreme Court this week. Now, as the work begins to replace Justice Kennedy, Republicans have the opportunity to assure a conservative United State Supreme Court.

Earlier today, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced he will be filing his 24th lawsuit against President Trump, this time over family separation at the border.

This lawsuit comes just one day after President Trump signed an executive order that will address separation of children from their parents as the United States Government deals with pressures caused by illegal immigration.

While the President and Congress have worked cooperatively to come up with real solutions to this country’s immigration problems, local Democrat politicians are pulling political stunts. In addition to the lawsuit filed by Attorney General Ferguson, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan recently took a trip to the Mexican border, with the mayors of Los Angeles and El Paso, to exploit the problems there for political value.

Attorney General Ferguson and Mayor Durkan are out of touch with the people they have sworn to serve.

The people of Seattle deserve a Mayor who is focused on the perilous crisis in her city and all Washingtonians deserve an Attorney General who is focused on serving the interests of those who call this state home. Our country needs serious immigration reform, not grandstanding or photo opportunities. And we need it now.

Last month, the Seattle City Council approved a tax on jobs that would charge the city’s 600 largest companies $275 per employee. Immediately after this tax was passed, Seattle residents made sure their voices were heard loud and clear: a jobs tax would hurt Seattle.

Also immediately following the vote, a referendum called No Tax on Jobs that quickly gathered strong support from all over the city was created to repeal the tax. According to KING 5, the important referendum received more than 45,000 signatures, which is almost triple the required amount, as 17,632 signatures would be needed to get it on the ballot.

After just one month since the law had been passed and a whole lot of outrage, the Seattle City Council voted to repeal the jobs tax. Sadly, the about face was not because the city council listened to voters. Seattle City Councilmembers see their listening activities as little more than an opportunity to hear opposing points of view, which they use against the well meaning citizens who think their city council cares about their concerns. In politics we call that easy opposition research! Rather, in the face of certain embarrassment that their misguided jobs tax would be repealed by a super majority of voters in November, the Seattle City Council repealed it themselves.

As Seattle City Councilmembers work to cover their tracks, we cannot forget about the failed jobs tax. The city council will no doubt use every opportunity going forward to recoup the lost opportunity to hit-up the employers and citizens in Seattle to pay for their Utopian housing policies. Voters in Seattle must remain vigilant, remembering the misguided jobs tax and other ill advised efforts when they vote in November 2019, when there will be seven councilmembers up for reelection.

Are you tired of paying hundreds of dollars for your car-tabs? You’re not alone. Earlier this week, seven Puget Sound area residents filed a class-action lawsuit against Sound Transit, claiming the transit organization has “unconstitutionally collected car-tab taxes.”

Sound Transit uses a vehicle valuation system that is extremely outdated and has lead to skyrocketing car-tab fees. According to KING 5, “The issue hinges on a Senate bill that Governor Jay Inslee signed in July 2015, allowing Sound Transit to ask for voter approval for additional funding for Sound Transit 3 (ST3)… The suit claims the Senate bill was unconstitutional, because it referenced a motor vehicle excise tax and valuation schedule that the state legislature had repealed 15 years prior.”

State Senator Phil Fortunato (R- Auburn) recruited the lawyers for the suit, which is seeking over $240 million in damages from Sound Transit.

As Sound Transit has continued to use a repealed vehicle valuation system that leads to car-tab fees of hundreds of dollars, many Puget Sound residents are rightfully upset. Voters got more than they bargained for with the new car-tab tax increase. Thankfully, Republicans like Senator Fortunato are working to make sure car owners see car-tab relief.

Are you looking for a job in politics?

Republican campaigns across King County are seeking independent, motivated, and personable applicants for campaign activities for the 2018 Election. The KCGOP is acting as a clearinghouse for campaigns at all levels. No prior campaign experience is required.

If you are interested in a position, please email your resume to [email protected].

Campaigns are starting to hire now, so send in your resume today!

Monday, May 28th marks Memorial Day, a day in which we remember and honor the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military. This Memorial Day, take the time to reflect on what this holiday really means. Countless men and women have sacrificed their lives to keep this country safe and we must always honor and remember those who have passed away while serving.

Earlier this year, the King County Republican Party staff visited the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent to honor the many veterans who were buried there.

This Memorial Day, take the time to remember and honor those who have died defending this country. Consider visiting a local veteran cemetery or memorial, such as the Tahoma National Cemetery. You won’t regret it if you do!  All of the men and women who are honored on Memorial Day deserve our absolute respect and admiration.

Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) are the official representative of the Republican Party in a precinct and the foundation of the Party. Becoming a PCO is a great way to get involved in Republican politics, get to know other Republicans in your District and across King County, and most importantly to help elect candidates you support to represent you!

Republican PCOs raise awareness about local politics in our communities. They are critical to the success of the Party. The King County Republican Party is actively recruiting new PCOs to represent the Republican Party and the values we fight to protect every day.

PCOs are extremely influential in getting out the vote and electing Republicans at all levels of government and are responsible for the governance of the King County Republican Party and election of party leadership. Each legislative district in King County has a Republican Party Organization with regular meetings and party events.  

Will you join us and take the first step to become an officer in the Republican Party? If you are not already a PCO, follow the link below and fill out the form so we can get you involved as soon as possible. PCOs must file with King County Elections next week, so time is of the essence!

Yes, I want to become an officer in the Republican Party!

Current PCOs: Filing week is next week! If you are already a Republican Precinct Committee Officer, contact your District Chair today for information on how to file to continue being a PCO.

Here is an end of the week recap so that you can stay up to date on what our office is paying attention to: 

On Thursday, we posted a blog on becoming a PCO that can be found here.

Here are our popular posts on Facebook and Twitter from this week:

• After 14 years, I’ve had it. I’m leaving Seattle
• Kshama Sawant is a con artist
• Wisdom Wedensday from Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch
• New “not necessarily an income tax” initiative is ALL about an income tax
  
• Report suggests Seattle’s Democracy Vouchers are a bust
  
  

Next week, we will be posting a question for Trivia Tuesday, a quote for Wisdom Wednesday, a picture for Throwback Thursday, a blog on Friday, as well as articles and videos that come up throughout the week on both our Facebook and Twitter pages. 

Visit our Facebook and Twitter pages and “like,” share, and comment on our posts.

Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) are the official representative of the Republican Party in a precinct and the foundation of the Party. Becoming a PCO is a great way to get involved in Republican politics, get to know other Republicans in your District and across King County, and most importantly to help elect candidates you support to represent you!

Republican PCOs raise awareness about local politics in our communities. They are critical to the success of the Party. The King County Republican Party is actively recruiting new PCOs to represent the Republican Party and the values we fight to protect every day.

PCOs are extremely influential in getting out the vote and electing Republicans at all levels of government and are responsible for the governance of the King County Republican Party and election of party leadership. Each legislative district in King County has a Republican Party Organization with regular meetings and party events.  

Will you join us and take the first step to become an officer in the Republican Party? Follow the link below and fill out the form so we can get you involved as soon as possible.

Yes, I want to become an officer in the Republican Party! 

Earlier this week, The Seattle Times reported that the Move Seattle levy, a $930 million transportation levy originally passed in 2015, is “falling behind on project promises.” When the levy was initially approved, it was intended to add bike lanes and bus lanes, repave roads, and complete other transportation projects in Seattle. However, just a few years after being passed, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is starting to cutback on a number of the promises that were included in the levy.

According to The Seattle Times, “the areas short on money include: building new protected bike lanes, repairing damaged sidewalks and building new ones, building curb ramps at intersections, repaving arterial streets and creating seven new RapidRide bus routes.”

It is clear that SDOT misled voters when the levy was voted on in 2015. For example, voters were originally told that bike lanes would cost $860,000 per mile. This original cost has been way off the mark, as one particular section of bike lane has cost an astounding $13 million per mile, and another has cost $12 million per mile. These price differences clearly demonstrate a lack of honesty from SDOT. The leader of the organization, Goran Sparrman, acknowledged their error when he said: “Some of those dollar amounts estimated for what projects would cost were clearly insufficient, even at the time.”

Another transportation package not living up to original promises should not surprise any voters in the area. Seattle and the rest of the Puget Sound area have seemed to build a pattern of delivering transportation projects at a much higher cost and in a much longer time than was originally stated. The “Bertha” tunneling project, Sound Transit, and others have always been delayed and over budget. When will groups such as SDOT, Sound Transit, and others actually start solving transportation challenges and work in the interest of voters?

Do you want to celebrate the Republican Party and hear the good news on what is in store for Republicans in 2018? Join the King County Republican Party for our annual Lincoln Day Dinner this Saturday, April 21st at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue at 6pm.

The KCGOP is pleased to have nationally renowned political analyst Scott Rasmussen as our featured speaker for the evening. Scott is the publisher of ScottRasmussen.com and the Editor-At-Large at Ballotpedia, the Encyclopedia of American Politics. For Ballotpedia, he writes “Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day”, exploring newsworthy and interesting topics at the intersection of politics, culture, and technology. Scott is also the founder of Rasmussen Reports, co-founder of ESPN, a New York Times bestselling author, public speaker, and syndicated columnist.

The event will also feature a fun cocktail reception, a number of awards given during the event, delicious food, and more!

Will you join hundreds of Republicans from across King County and celebrate the Republican Party with us on Saturday, April 21st? Register for the event by filling out the form below:

 

“The media created a false narrative about the 2016 presidential campaign, and most polling reinforced it. Our polling showed that issues, not the media-fed controversies, would ultimately decide the election.” Rasmussen Reports

Scott Rasmussen was straight on in the 2016 Presidential Election, and is known as one of the most respected pollsters in the industry. He is the publisher of ScottRasmussen.com and the Editor-At-Large at Ballotpedia, the Encyclopedia of American Politics. For Ballotpedia, he writes “Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day”, exploring newsworthy and interesting topics at the intersection of politics, culture, and technology. Scott is also the founder of Rasmussen Reports, co-founder of ESPN, a New York Times bestselling author, public speaker, and syndicated columnist.

The King County Republican Party is pleased to have Mr. Rasmussen as our featured speaker for our upcoming Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday, April 21 at the Bellevue Hyatt Regency.

Rasmussen’s polling shows good news for President Trump. Recently, Rasmussen’s polls have even been praised by President Trump. In a tweet earlier this week, President Trump said “Thank you to Rasmussen for the honest polling.” He also mentioned another of Rasmussen’s polls in a tweet back in March.

Scott Rasmussen has been working in polling for many years, and his polls have become quite influential. Back in 2010, an article in The Seattle Times stated “… Rasmussen has become a driving force in U.S. politics.”

Will you join us for our celebration of the Republican Party (YOU!) and hear the good news on what is in store in 2018 from Scott Rasmussen? Purchase tickets here.