A State of Denial and Defiance

February 2025 V3

Local News Briefs

Richland WA: Richland residents are being asked to vote whether to increase sales tax in the city to fund a performing arts center. The increase is relatively minor at .2 percent but that further increases an already high rate of 8.7 percent. The tax is expected to remain in place for a term of 30 years to cover the expense.

The organization behind this effort, the Arts Center Task Force, states that the location, on the border between Kennewick and Richland, was chosen because it is “centrally located for easy access from the surrounding cities,” yet only Richland residents are tasked with paying for it.

The proposed sales tax will affect businesses in the city of Richland. Shoppers can decide to make their purchases in Kennewick or Pasco to avoid the higher rate. While this may be comforting to shoppers, it may not bode well for Richland businesses.

The process of getting this on the ballot is already costing Richland residents. A special election was called to address this issue. Creating the ballot item required the city of Richland to pay for part of the special election fees. The estimate the city of Richland received is between $300,000 - $350,000 for this item to be included in a special election.

Kennewick WA: The Kennewick School Board is in the process of hiring a new Superintendent. Interviews have begun and the priorities of the school board seem clear. Candidates are being asked several questions about finance and responsible fiscal management, NBC reports. Financial management has become a top priority for school boards as so many school districts are currently in financial trouble.

A Moody’s Rating’s report indicates rough financial waters ahead for many public-school districts around the country. Moody’s has issued a warning to let school districts know that they may be in dire financial trouble due to a number of issues affecting their financial security, The Lion reports. Homeschooling has also become a growing trend as more families are looking for options to escape public schools, Reason reports.

Although Kennewick currently does not have a shortfall, neighboring Richland School District is facing a budget crisis. Hiring a Superintendent with a strong financial and budgeting background would appear to be a wise move in the current environment.

Tri Cities, WA Business: There is a new credit union in town. Idaho Central Credit Union is opening branches in Tri Cities, The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business reports. The first branch is expected to open late in 2025.

The Idaho credit union with 59 branches intends to open three in Tri Cities in 2025 and 2026. Property already purchased by the credit union includes one location in Kennewick, one in Pasco, and one in Richland.

Several credit unions already operate in the Tri cites but an Idaho based organization is allowed to follow Idaho state rules, rather than Washington state rules. The difference includes such basics as minimum wage. Washington has one of the highest rates in the nation at $16.66 per hour while Idaho matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25.

Idaho organizations may pay far less for labor costs, which is typically the largest budget item for a business. The difference may be felt in the rates the credit union is able to offer members compared to its Washington competitors. It may be worth comparing rates as this player enters a crowded market.

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A State of Denial and Defiance

By Eileen Griffin-Ray

While most of the country feels a sense of relief now that criminal illegal aliens will finally being removed, Washington intends to remain a defiant sanctuary state.

The state of Washington has seen increased crime the past several years and Seattle residents have been particularly victimized. Seattle leaders embraced the defund-the-police movement and reduced criminal penalties. The state continues to release criminals onto the streets.

Illegal immigration has caused problems from increased crime and support expenses to overcrowding and overburdening schools.

Although several school districts are suffering with overcrowding and budget shortfalls, the state wants to protect illegal immigrants to the detriment of taxpaying American families.

In recent school district messages, the guidance from OSPI is to disregard federal immigration law and instead directs schools to train students how to not comply with the law.

Guidance issued by Superintendent Reykdal explains how Washington intends to handle illegal immigration issues based on Washington law rather than federal law.

“Further, Washington public schools must not initiate engagement with federal immigration authorities for the purpose of sharing student information. It is inconsistent with our state and federal constitutional mandates to serve every student,” the guidance reads.

More money will continue to go to illegal immigrants regardless of many needs evident across the state from crime prevention efforts to economic investment to education.

Governor Bob Ferguson (D) signed an executive order committing Washington resources to the families of those illegal immigrants being deported, The Center Square reports.

The order directs Department of Children, Youth & Families to provide support to children separated from their parents. Ferguson announced his new order at a center run by El Centro de la Raza.

“We will stand up for your rights, we’ll protect your freedoms,” Ferguson told the audience. “That’s central to who we are, and we will continue doing that.”

Immediately after the election of President Donald Trump (R) then Governor-elect Ferguson announced his intention to challenge the President’s efforts to remove illegal aliens and restore order to cities and states around the nation, Washington Standard reported.

To read the full article click here.