Here’s a couple of figures in mind as you read this.

According to the , every 0.5% change in Amazon鈥檚 stock price results in roughly a $1 billion swing for its founder, Jeff Bezos.聽Bezos ranks second behind Elon Musk on Forbes’ wealthiest list, with a net worth of $204.6 billion compared to Musk鈥檚 $388.6 billion.

As I鈥檓 writing this, Amazon stock dropped 0.57% for the day, wiping about $1.2 billion off Bezos鈥檚 fortune. Did he notice? Probably not. But the state of Washington might have 鈥� and you could almost hear the collective groan.

Washington Democrats increased capital gains tax

Over the weekend, state lawmakers approved the Democrat-led , which raises the state鈥檚 capital gains tax on large investment sales 鈥� like stocks and bonds 鈥� from 7% to 9.9%. It’s part of a larger tax package to fill in what the Office of Financial Management says a $16 billion deficit for the operating budget over the next four years.

When the original tax was passed in 2021, critics warned it would drive tech billionaires and millionaires to friendlier states like Florida, where there’s no capital gains or estate tax. According to , which tracks corporate insider stock sales, Bezos stopped selling shares in 2021. Coincidence? Maybe not.

Washington’s capital gains tax started at 7% on gains over $262,000 from stock and bond sales. Pending Governor Bob Ferguson鈥檚 approval, the new plan hikes that tax to 9.9% on gains exceeding $1 million.

Jeff Bezos ditched Washington for Florida

At the end of 2023, Bezos announced he was packing up and leaving Seattle for Florida where there are no similar capital gains and estate taxes.

In an Instagram post, Bezos said he wanted to be closer to his parents and his Blue Origin rocket operations. He did not mention taxes – or tax avoidance.

In June 2023, Bloomberg reported that Bezos bought a $79 million mansion in the ultra-exclusive Indian Creek neighborhood near Miami. When exactly he declared Florida his official residence isn鈥檛 crystal clear, but if he managed to switch it before 2024, here’s how the math works out:聽 show Bezos sold 78,541,922 shares of Amazon stock in 2024 鈥� likely his first full year as a Florida resident 鈥� at prices bouncing around $200 a share. That would amount to a gain of about $15.7 billion.

If he had still lived in Seattle? Here鈥檚 the pain:

• At the old 7% rate, after exempting the first $262,000, he would鈥檝e owed Washington about $1.1 billion in taxes.
• Under the new 9.9% rate, his tax bill would鈥檝e jumped to $1.55 billion.

Let鈥檚 put that in perspective:

• That鈥檚 more than the entire annual budget of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
• It鈥檚 more than the $1.3 billion the state hoped to save by furloughing every state worker for 13 days 鈥� a cost-cutting idea that Governor Ferguson floated and then ditched.
• It鈥檚 17 times more than the controversial $9 billion in new taxes the legislature approved to patch the much-discussed budget deficit.
• It鈥檚 about 70% of all the money collected statewide in 2024 under the Climate Commitment Act 鈥� a law many blame for the extra 40 to 50 cents per gallon tacked onto gas prices.

Bezos saved big in move to Florida

Bottom line: One man saved a mind-blowing amount of money, and one state lost it 鈥� exactly the kind of 鈥渨ealth flight鈥� supporters of the capital gains tax said wouldn’t happen.

Meanwhile, a proposed wealth tax 鈥� aimed at roughly 4,300 people with assets over $50 million 鈥� fizzled just days before the session ended. Governor Ferguson, who used to be Attorney General, warned it would be legally risky and said he would reject it.

Speaking at a press conference, Democratic leaders of the House and Senate vowed to bring the proposal back for another shot next year.

But lurking in the tax package awaiting the Governor’s approval is a pair of taxes that critics say can have the same effect on the state as the capital gains tax. It includes a big increase in the Business and Occupation (B&O) tax and a new sales tax on services in the high-tech sector.

Combined the taxes make up more than half of the proposed $9 billion tax plan to balance the budget.

Once again, critics are warning: tax the tech golden goose too hard… and you might just watch it fly south, the same way Jeff Bezos did.

John Curley, host of “The John Curley Show” on 成人X站 Newsradio, said that this could be the case, noting that many of those who share posts online could be over-radicalizing the views of the party, giving Republicans a leg up.

“Most people care about…is my kid safe? Am I safe? Do I have a job? Am I making a decent living? Can I afford to buy a house someday?” Curley said. “You know, all that other stuff that you see, because of social media, because of the use of the algorithm, the Republicans don’t have to do a thing. Just put enough people with dyed hair…simply throw them out there and say, well, here you go. These are the Democrats.”

Curley referred to an article in , where reporter Christian Schneider compared the Democratic Party to a farmers market, explaining that Democrats would previously coexist in different kinds of booths, that they “didn鈥檛 necessarily like one another, but they tolerated the strangeness of the coalition because it won elections.”

“Social media, as much as people want to get the word out, is actually causing the party to splinter,” Curley said.

He claimed that social media puts people’s differences on display, forcing the public to see one person’s viewpoint as a symbol for the party.

Repeating history

Curley noted that this happened similarly within the Republican Party as well, recalling the basic philosophy of Pat Buchanan’s Reform Party, which aimed to go “real conservative.” Curley said the creation of this party could be compared to what leaders on the left, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), are trying to campaign for today.

“(Buchanan) said if you had true conservatives, you would win. It’s when you start to move a little bit to the left and try to pick up some of those people, that’s when you lose,” Curley said. “This will be interesting because, right now, AOC is on a tour across the U.S. with Bernie Sanders, and people like talking to her, saying she would make a great president. If we just did the same thing as Pat Buchanan in the 80s, right? If we just got true left? Well, I think it didn’t work for you before, and it certainly won’t work again.”

Listen to the full conversation below:

Listen to John Curley and weekday afternoons from 3 鈥� 7 p.m. on 成人X站 Newsradio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the聽podcast here.

, the product of a late-session compromise between House and Senate Democrats, will cap rent hikes at 7% plus inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower. The bill also bars landlords from raising rents during the first 12 months of a new tenancy. Single-family homes are not exempt from the cap.

The Senate approved the final version on a 27-20 vote, with two Democrats joining Republicans in opposition. The House followed with a 54-44 vote, where five Democrats broke ranks. No Republicans voted in favor.

鈥淭his is one of the most productive sessions on housing affordability our state has seen,” Sen. Jessica Batman, D-Olympia, said in a statement. “It鈥檚 the result of strong coalition-building in and outside the Legislature, bipartisan collaboration with our Republican colleagues and sustained, long-term engagement with the community and our constituents who are so deeply affected by these issues. I鈥檓 proud of what we鈥檝e accomplished so far this year and know that we have more work ahead.鈥�

Washington rent cap developed over weeks of negotiations

The bill’s final version reflects weeks of negotiations.

Originally, HB 1217 capped rent increases at 7% annually. A Senate amendment raised the limit to 10% plus inflation, but after concerns from House Democrats, a conference committee struck a compromise late Thursday.

The legislation also establishes a 5% cap on rent increases for manufactured and mobile homes, with no expiration date. For most other residential properties, the rent cap is set to expire after 15 years unless renewed.

Beginning June 1, 2025, the state Department of Commerce will be required to publish the allowable maximum rent increase annually, based on the Seattle-area Consumer Price Index. Landlords must also provide tenants with 90 days鈥� notice before raising rent.

New construction is exempt from the cap for up to 12 years, as are properties owned by public housing authorities and certain nonprofit organizations. Some small, owner-occupied properties, such as duplexes or homes with accessory dwelling units, are also exempt.

Will Governor Ferguson sign the rent cap bill?

Republicans blasted the measure, arguing it addresses symptoms rather than causes.

鈥淲ithout supply, rents go high,鈥� Rep. Sam Low, R-Lake Stevens, said during floor debate. He urged colleagues to focus instead on removing regulations that he said drive up the cost and difficulty of building new housing.

The bill now heads to Gov. Bob Ferguson, who has not publicly stated whether he will sign it.

Harrell’s proposal includes what he describes as transformative new investments to expand access to affordable childcare and early learning through the nationally recognized Seattle Preschool Program. It also makes mental health resources available in K-12 schools, while offering free tuition at Seattle colleges and job training to support career paths.

During a recent segment on 鈥�The Gee and Ursula Show鈥� on 成人X站 Newsradio, Co-host Gee Scott voiced his support of the initiative. But Ursula Reutin expressed concern over the hefty price tag.

Harrell鈥檚 education plan backed by some, questioned over cost

“It’s important, we all know, how much the city has put its role into education, primarily in education, and subsidized preschool programs and programs that provide tuition assistance for those going right from high school into maybe Community College,” Gee said.

Though Co-host Ursula Reutin agrees that education is important, she concerned with where the money is coming from.

“So, I don’t doubt the importance of the programs that are being served by this,” Ursula said. “My issue is just the number. We talk about it every single day. Taxes are going up.”

Listen to the full story below.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on 鈥淭he Gee and Ursula Show鈥�聽weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on 成人X站 Newsradio.聽

Despite a new governor taking office earlier this year, residents鈥� views on the direction of the state show little change. Forty percent said Washington is on the right track, nearly identical to past surveys between April 2023 and today, while 45% said the state is on the wrong track 鈥� also virtually unchanged. This persistent malaise comes as concerns about the economy deepen. Fifty-six percent said Washington鈥檚 economic conditions are getting worse, a sharp increase from 35% just three months ago.

One of the most surprising findings: Republican support for Governor Bob Ferguson has risen dramatically.

Republicans starting to like Governor Bob Ferguson

Positive impressions of Ferguson among Republicans jumped from 15% in January to 35% in April,聽according to . Meanwhile, his support among Democrats fell from 65% to 47% during the same period. Ferguson鈥檚 standing among independents also declined, dropping from 41% to 31%.

The unusual bump in Republican approval comes even as Ferguson鈥檚 overall favorability slipped. Among all voters, Ferguson鈥檚 positive ratings now sit at 38%, down from 42% in January and a high of 56% last November.

The poll, conducted online April 16-20 among 500 Washington residents, was weighted to reflect the state鈥檚 demographics by age, gender, region, political affiliation, education, and income. It was completed before Democrats passed a budget that would raise taxes by $9 billion. Ferguson previously rejected Democratic tax plans, angering Democrats but earning praise from Republicans.

King County residents made up 29% of respondents, with the remainder spread across Puget Sound, Western Washington, and Eastern Washington. Politically, 40% identified as Democrats, 29% as Republicans, and 23% as independents.

Ferguson’s future, and bright spots for Republicans

Ferguson鈥檚 uptick among Republicans could reflect a perception that he is governing more moderately than expected. However, growing dissatisfaction among Democrats could spell trouble for the governor.

The survey also revealed some good news for the Republican Party more broadly. When asked which party they trusted more to handle key issues, voters preferred Republicans on crime (44% to 37%), taxes (42% to 42%), and government spending (42% to 38%).

Democrats retained a large advantage on healthcare, education, housing, and climate change.

Nonetheless, the overall mood remains grim. Only 12% of respondents said the state鈥檚 economy is getting better, while a majority said it is deteriorating. Ratings of personal financial situations also darkened. Nineteen percent said their own finances were improving, down from 23% in January, while 33% said their finances were getting worse.

House Democrats, who spearheaded the budget plan, say it protects essential services while boosting K-12 education. The plan allocates $750 million for special education, $213 million for school materials and operations, and $200 million to support students in low-income districts through local effort assistance.

Despite facing a growing deficit, the final package calls for $8.7 billion in taxes without tapping into the state’s “Rainy Day” fund or implementing furloughs. To address future shortfalls, lawmakers plan $3.1 billion in cuts during the 2025-27 biennium, totaling $7 billion over four years.

Reacting to the $77.8 billion budget

Gov. Bob Ferguson signaled support for the proposal, noting it relies less on new tax increases compared to earlier drafts. But Republicans are slamming the budget as regressive.

“Democrats openly admit that many of their new taxes are regressive, hitting low-income families the hardest,” Sen. Nikki Torres (R-Pasco) explained in a statement. “So, who鈥檚 really wearing the villain cape here? It certainly isn鈥檛 the hardworking Washingtonians now staring down higher costs for food, health care, energy, and fewer choices. The people of Washington deserve better than what they received today. We will continue to fight for policies that lift burdens, strengthen families, and honor the trust the taxpayers have placed in us.鈥�

Republicans criticize the bill for a number of cuts and tax hikes, including $100 new fee on marriage licenses, 38% increase in hunting and fishing licenses, 50% increase in accessing state parks, 50% increase in liquor license fees, and sales tax increases on certain services.

But House Appropriations Chair Timm Ormsby (D-Spokane) said the budget reflects a balanced approach, avoiding major service cuts while addressing urgent education needs. Senate Ways & Means Chair June Robinson (D-Everett) called the budget a product of “hard, often painful choices” made to protect vulnerable communities.

The budget now awaits Ferguson鈥檚 signature.

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary explained that studies link the petroleum-based dyes to ADHD, obesity, cancer, and other debilitating diseases. Parents have also noticed that behavior issues change when these dyes are removed from their children鈥檚 diets.

“They said eliminating these entirely would require reformulating lots of popular foods, from cereal to candy to soda and sports drinks,” Jake said. “Okay, I’m fine with that.”

FDA bans artificial dyes, sparking additional concerns

Given the concern over food dye, Jake other dangerous chemicals in our food could be banned next.

“I also wonder if these dyes are accompanied by things like sugar, rich foods,” said Jake. “I know when I feed my kids any of these foods that they get hyper and crazy.”

Listen to the full conversation below.

Listen to 鈥淭he Jake and Spike Show鈥�聽weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on 成人X站聽Newsradio聽97.3 FM.聽Subscribe to the podcast here.

A lawsuit has been filed by neighbors, claiming that officials refuse to address increasing concerns, including public masturbation, sex acts, and other indecent exposure. The spokesperson for these anonymous plaintiffs told 鈥�The Gee and Ursula Show鈥� on 成人X站 Newsradio that there have been numerous documented incidents over the last few years.

“When it comes to public urination, masturbation, sex in public, explicit drug use, or people just acting crazy, we’re the ones to step in and do something,” spokesperson Lee Keller explained.

Controversy erupts over Seattle’s only nude beach as legal battle escalates

Gee sympathized with Keller, agreeing that having people engage in such behavior near his house would make him uncomfortable, too.

“Me personally, your boy, don’t want a nude beach next to where I live,” Gee said. “I said it. I’m sorry. I just don’t want that.”

Listen to the full conversation below.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on聽鈥淭he Gee and Ursula Show鈥�聽weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on 成人X站 Newsradio.聽

Late Friday, the Senate passed , a sweeping transportation revenue package anchored by a 6-cent gas tax hike, by a bipartisan 31-17 vote. The House approved the plan a day earlier. Gov. Bob Ferguson is expected to review the package soon, but it’s highly likely it is signed when it hits his desk. The legislative session is scheduled to adjourn Sunday and it’s expected to give the final legislative approval before then/

Starting July 1, the gas tax will rise from 49.4 cents to 55.4 cents per gallon. Diesel fuel taxes will also increase by 3 cents this year and another 3 cents in 2027. After mid-2026, both gas and diesel taxes will grow by 2% annually to keep pace with inflation.

Washington drivers pay the third highest average gas prices in the nation at $4.28, according to the AAA, just behind California and Alaska. The national gas price average is $3.15.

It’s not just the gas tax but other fees going up in Washington

The tax hikes, combined with other new fees, are expected to generate $3.2 billion over the next six years to bolster the state鈥檚 struggling transportation budget. Lawmakers said the additional funding is critical to addressing runaway construction costs and fulfilling longstanding infrastructure promises.

“We’re asking Washingtonians to pay some more to fund our transportation system, but we’re spending it on keeping our promises, on preserving and maintaining highways, and on safety,” Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds) said during debate, according to the .

Besides the gas and diesel tax hikes, SB 5801 raises a range of fees. Vehicle weight fees will increase by $10 to $24 annually starting in January, depending on the size of the vehicle. The state鈥檚 special sales tax on motor vehicles will jump from 0.3% to 0.5%. A new 8% luxury tax will hit vehicles sold for over $100,000, and a 10% tax will apply to aircraft valued above $500,000.

Rental car taxes will temporarily more than double, from 5.9% to 11.9% in 2026, before settling at 9.9% in 2027. Tire replacement fees will also rise from $1 to $5 per tire.

Lawmakers admit gas tax hike is a tough sell

Lawmakers from both parties acknowledged the package is a tough sell. Washingtonians already pay some of the highest gas prices in the country 鈥� averaging $4.29 per gallon including taxes, according to AAA 鈥� and the new increases could push the state to the third-highest gas tax nationwide, behind only California and Pennsylvania.

“Raising fees and taxes is not something we take lightly, but we determined it was the only solution to address our state’s transportation challenges,” said Sen. Curtis King (R-Yakima) in a joint statement with Liias, according to聽.

Republicans were divided over the plan. While some backed it in the Senate, no Republicans supported it in the House, where they warned that working families are being crushed under the weight of constant new taxes.

Democrats defended the move, arguing that without new revenue, Washington faced a transportation budget shortfall of up to $8 billion over six years, imperiling ferry service, pothole repairs, and critical bridge replacements.

The classic and beloved film was largely shot in Astoria, Oregon, where the house still stands today. Connelly joined 鈥淭he Jake and Spike Show鈥� on 成人X站 Newsradio to discuss progress with some lifelong Goonies fans.

“I got linked up with this guy named Behman Zakeri,” said Connelly. “He owns the Goonies house, and through a friend of our friend, he was looking for a production designer to restore the house back to the way it was in the movie.”

Goonies house restored by Emmy-winning designer

Connelly is working closely with members of the original film crew to ensure authenticity. He鈥檚 consulted Rick Carter, the film鈥檚 original art director鈥攌nown for his work on major blockbusters like Jurassic World鈥攁s well as Linda De Sena, who was responsible for decorating the entire house in the movie.

From sourcing original materials to uncovering where every piece came from, Connelly is committed to bringing the house back to life exactly as fans remember it.

“Well, this house is a national treasure,” said Co-host Spike O’Neill. “I so much appreciate the care and the professionalism you’re bringing.”

Listen to the full conversation below.

Listen to 鈥淭he Jake and Spike Show鈥�聽weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on 成人X站聽Newsradio聽97.3 FM.聽Subscribe to the podcast here.

鈥淚t’s criminally negligent,鈥� Dahlen told 成人X站 Newsradio bluntly, standing outside one of his sober-living recovery homes in Kent. 鈥淲e鈥檙e losing people at an alarming rate. Fentanyl is killing people every day in ways we’ve never seen.鈥�

It鈥檚 a strong claim, but in Washington state, the statistics back him up. According to preliminary Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, to see opioid-related overdose deaths increase between May 2023 and April 2024.

Meanwhile, nationwide, those numbers are finally going down.

What’s going wrong here?

In King County, the prevailing wisdom is . The idea: if you provide safer conditions, such as needle exchanges, fentanyl testing strips, safe consumption supplies, and wait patiently, many struggling with addiction will eventually opt into treatment voluntarily.

said this approach is compassionate, realistic, and non-judgmental. It reduces immediate harm, like infections or overdoses. But Dahlen sees something else entirely.

the Public Health 鈥� Seattle and King County, more than 1,000 people died of drug overdoses in 2024. It鈥檚 the second-highest death total in recorded history, only surpassed by overdose deaths in 2023. Back in 2015, only 324 people died in the county from overdoses.

Trends in overdose deaths that occurred in King County in 2015-2024. (Image courtesy of Public Health – Seattle King County)

鈥淟etting people smoke fentanyl is the worst thing a state or city can do,鈥� Dahlen said, frustration visible on his face. 鈥淭hey call it kindness, but it鈥檚 the opposite. It鈥檚 killing people, and it鈥檚 devastating families.鈥�

He would know. Dahlen spent 17 years trapped in opioid addiction himself before becoming sober. For the past 14 years, he鈥檚 dedicated his life to helping others achieve sobriety through what he calls a 鈥渇amily-first, community-first鈥� approach.

Battlefield Addiction takes a different approach to curb drug use

Battlefield Addiction is deliberately different. Dahlen and his team coach families on intervention strategies designed to disrupt drug use immediately. This isn’t about gentle encouragement; it鈥檚 about urgency and accountability.

鈥淚f someone is smoking fentanyl in one of our homes, we get it out of their hands and watch them with Narcan until they’re OK,鈥� Dahlen explained. 鈥淥ur approach starts with sobriety. Not tomorrow, not next year鈥攖oday.鈥�

It鈥檚 a stark contrast to policies championed in Seattle and King County, where supportive housing facilities , focusing on housing stability first, with recovery second.

But Dahlen argued the drugs today, especially fentanyl and meth, are fundamentally different than the opioids of the past.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not dealing with the heroin of five or ten years ago,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he is killing people overnight. This is an emergency.鈥�

Washington state鈥檚 rising overdose rates seem to back up Dahlen鈥檚 urgency. Despite record spending on harm reduction and supportive housing, the numbers are moving in the wrong direction.

Washington opioid deaths nearly doubled since 2019

As reported by the in the last six years, opioid drug overdose deaths in the state have nearly doubled.

“17,502 Washington residents died from a drug overdose over the past 15 years (between 2007 and 2021); 68% of those deaths involved an opioid,” DOH’s website stated. “Since 2019, the annual number of opioid drug overdose deaths has nearly doubled, from 827 deaths in 2019 to 1619 in 2021.”

So what does Dahlen recommend?

鈥淚鈥檇 ask our politicians and lawmakers: are there behaviors we鈥檙e doing right now that perpetuate addiction?鈥� he asked. 鈥淎re we handing out pipes, foils, making it easier for people to steal and continue their addiction? Yes. And it’s making things worse.鈥�

Critics often dismiss abstinence-focused programs like Battlefield Addiction . Dahlen shakes his head at the notion.

鈥淭his isn’t about morality. It鈥檚 about saving lives,鈥� he said. 鈥淚’ve never had anyone come back angry that we helped get them sober. People thank the cops who arrested them. People thank their families who intervened. For me, it was my father who held me accountable. He saved my life.鈥�

Dahlen knows he’s swimming upstream politically. King County leaders and addiction experts overwhelmingly favor harm reduction, citing decades of research showing its benefits. But Dahlen insists there鈥檚 a crucial difference between harm reduction that saves lives and enabling that prolongs suffering.

鈥淵ou can鈥檛 allow someone to continue smoking fentanyl and call that kindness,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t’s not harmful to ask someone to stop. It鈥檚 necessary.鈥�

Battlefield Addiction to host fundraiser

That鈥檚 why Battlefield Addiction is raising its voice, and some much-needed funds, at Roegner Park in Auburn on May 10. It鈥檚 part outreach, part advocacy, aiming to shift public perception and remind people that abstinence-based recovery programs still exist, and they still work.

鈥淲e want families to understand that real recovery is possible,鈥� Dahlen said passionately. 鈥淓ven if you’ve been using fentanyl, even if things feel hopeless, you can get sober and have a productive life afterward.鈥�

In King County, where compassion has become synonymous with harm reduction, Dahlen鈥檚 message is provocative. He argues compassion must include accountability and swift intervention, not simply a comfortable place to continue using.

鈥淒on鈥檛 listen to the addiction,鈥� he told families directly. 鈥淒on’t let the drugs tell you how to treat your loved one. You have to intervene, create boundaries, create urgency. It鈥檚 the only way to save their lives.鈥�

Art Dahlen is used to being labeled a contrarian or harsh. But he brushes off those labels. After nearly three decades grappling with addiction personally and professionally, he says the truth is simpler.

鈥淔entanyl kills,鈥� he said firmly. 鈥淧retending that gently waiting (for someone to seek treatment) is a humane approach isn’t kindness. It’s neglect.鈥�

Listen to聽鈥淪eattle鈥檚 Morning News鈥�聽with Charlie Harger and Manda Factor weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. on 成人X站 Newsradio. Subscribe to the podcast聽here.

“Without federal regulations, the marketplace is the wild, wild west,” Weisbaum said on “Seattle’s Morning News” on 成人X站 Newsradio Thursday. “The way I see it, the government is supposed to protect the vulnerable from predatory business practices, whether that’s using deceptive advertising and making dangerous products, or selling financial products that cause financial harm. And the way they do that is by having rules that tell businesses what they can and cannot do, and then if they break the rules, they have to do enforcement actions.”

Weisbaum: Marketplaces left unchecked are ‘very dangerous’

Weisbaum said agencies are being decimated because of a reduction in staff, rules are being taken off the books, and the government is saying they are not going to enforce the rules. Adding that businesses left unchecked can be “very dangerous” for the consumer.

“I see a much more open marketplace and businesses being able to take advantage of consumers,” he shared. “And I find that very sad, because my job is to protect people.”

When asked what his advice would be to the consumer, Weisbaum responded: “I really don’t think there’s anything we can do, even me. I mean, you have to be more careful with what you do. But the problem is, we don’t have the ability to know what’s going on in the marketplace like a federal regulator does. We can’t spot this stuff.”

“I just hope people who feel strongly about this and want the government to do something to protect them鈥攚ill let their lawmakers know, will let the administration know, and just realize that all rules aren’t bad,” he added. “You get rid of bad rules. You keep good rules because they’re there to protect us all. At least that’s my two cents.”

Listen to聽鈥淪eattle鈥檚 Morning News鈥�聽with Charlie Harger and Manda Factor weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. on 成人X站 Newsradio. Subscribe to the podcast聽here.

Democrats in the Washington State Senate pushed through a massive $12 billion tax package over the weekend, despite an explicit call from Ferguson to scale back the level of taxes.

“There’s a lot of word-smithing going on right now. The governor and his supporters have said that they’re not keen on the so-called wealth tax, which is an increase in the expansion of the state’s capital gains tax,” Rep. Jim Walsh, the Chair of the state鈥檚 Republican Party, said on “Seattle’s Morning News” on 成人X站 Newsradio. “They’ve also said they’re backing off of the property tax increase proposals they made. And that’s true. It’s narrowly true that they’re backing off of those, but they are refiling them with slightly different mechanics.”

Instead, according to Walsh, property taxes could be raised by increasing the local portion of the property tax bill, instead of the state part. Other taxes that would be increased under the $12 billion budget plan are the business and occupation tax and the state’s sales tax, all while gas and diesel are going to go up to approximately six more cents a gallon. Walsh is calling it “a basket of tax increases.”

“I really believe (budget cuts) are not necessary if we just hold our budgets at their current levels,” Walsh added. “We don’t need these new taxes. We don’t have to cut anything.”

Gov. Bob Ferguson’s signature not required to pass laws

“How do you feel the governor is interacting with leaders of both parties?” Manda Factor, co-host of “Seattle’s Morning News,” asked Walsh.

“Better than what the previous guy did, I’ll grant Ferguson that,” Walsh responded. “He is talking to all sides, and that’s a good thing. He’s sort of a clever guy who plays some clever word games. He has said he won’t sign the tax proposals that are currently on the table. Well, in our state, the governor doesn’t have to sign a bill for it to become law.”

In the state of Washington, if the governor doesn’t sign a bill, it can still become law in 30 days without his signature.

“So what we really need Ferguson to do is commit to vetoing some of these tax hike proposals, and he hasn’t done that yet,” Walsh said. “All he’s saying is, I won’t sign this one or that one or the other one, and that’s not good enough because the legislature can pass them and they become law without his signature.”

Listen to the full conversation here:

Listen to聽鈥淪eattle鈥檚 Morning News鈥�聽with Charlie Harger and Manda Factor weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. on 成人X站 Newsradio. Subscribe to the podcast聽here.

Even though Ursula Reutin, co-host of “The Gee and Ursula Show,” is suspicious about the officer’s motivation in attending the rally, she understands why they wouldn’t want their names published.

“I understand their point, what is it going to do to release their names? Other than to potentially have people say, ‘these officers are terrible because they attended this rally,'” Ursula said.

Seattle cops seek to hide names after attending Jan. 6 rally

Four officers who were in Washington, D.C., on the day of the Capitol insurrection argued that they are protected by Washington state鈥檚 public records law. They maintained they did nothing wrong and claimed that disclosing their names would violate their right to privacy.

成人X站 Newsradio contributor Angela Poe Russell pushed back, claiming that if you choose to attend a public event, you can have public photos taken and your identity can be easily revealed.

“If you attend a public event where anyone, any reasonable person in the area, can see you, I just don’t know that legally you have a right to privacy,” Poe Russell said.

Listen to the full conversation below:

Listen to Gee and Ursula on聽鈥淭he Gee and Ursula Show鈥�聽weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on 成人X站 Newsradio.聽

The Senate approved a suite of bills Saturday to close a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall. The proposals include expanding the capital gains tax, increasing the business and occupation (B&O) tax on large corporations and banks, lifting caps on property tax increases, and levying sales taxes on previously untaxed services like advertising and security.

Senate Bill 5814, the largest component, would generate nearly $5 billion over four years by expanding the retail sales tax to a range of services. Sen. Noel Frame (D-Seattle), who led the charge, argued the measures are necessary to modernize the state鈥檚 tax code for a 21st-century economy.

Republicans sharply disagreed, with Sen. Nikki Torres (R-Pasco) warning that 鈥渢his would be an unprecedented increase in the sales tax鈥� that hurts low-income Washingtonians the most.

New statewide poll shows tax increases wildly unpopular in Washington

The aggressive tax push appears to be clashing with public opinion and the governor.

A new poll conducted April 9鈥�14 by right-leaning RMG Research for found a significant majority of voters鈥�80%鈥攂elieve lawmakers should slow the growth of government spending rather than raise taxes to balance the budget. Only 12% favored continuing spending growth paired with tax hikes.

Even when told the 鈥渟pending freeze鈥� approach came from Republicans, 68% still supported it. In contrast, when voters were told Democrats proposed the tax-heavy plan, support dropped sharply 鈥� with only 10% in favor and 88% opting out of the question entirely.

Where does Governor Bob Ferguson stand on tax increases?

The Washington Democrats’ taxes also came days after he didn’t support such dramatic tax increases.

鈥淎t a time of great economic uncertainty and assaults by the Trump Administration on core state services for working families, raising $12 billion in taxes is unsustainable, too risky and fails to adequately prepare Washington state for the crisis that looms ahead,” Ferguson said in a comment.

Ferguson鈥檚 approval rating stands at 45%, according to the same poll, with nearly as many voters (35%) expressing disapproval. Democrats in the Legislature fared worse, with 49% viewing them unfavorably compared to 46% who gave them a positive rating.

Polling break down on tax specifics

Individual tax proposals in the Senate package also face stiff headwinds, according to the poll.

A property tax cap increase from 1% to 3% is opposed by 77% of voters, including 53% who strongly oppose it.聽An expanded capital gains tax finds mixed reception, with 47% in favor and 49% opposed.

A hike in the B&O tax drew 69% opposition, with concerns it would hike prices and hurt small businesses. A payroll tax targeting high-income salaries at large firms was rejected by 53% of voters amid fears it would drive jobs out of state.

Democrats say they can’t cut their way out of the budget deficit

Despite the backlash, Senate Democrats insisted that spending cuts alone would not bridge the gap. Senator Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen said they鈥檝e already identified $7 billion in cuts, delays, and deferrals but said taxes are still needed to fund education, health care, housing, and childcare programs.

Republicans countered with an alternative budget that avoids tax hikes altogether. Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, said the Democrats鈥� budget relies on 鈥済host money鈥� and budget gimmicks like one-time sales tax prepayments from businesses.

The tax bills now move to the House, where floor votes are expected early this week.

“It is with the deepest heartache that I share the news that the love of my life, Bill Ramos, passed away while on a trail run tonight.”

Ramos was 69 years old.

The state lawmaker represented the 5th Legislative District, which includes Black Diamond, Issaquah, Maple Valley, Renton, Sammamish, and Snoqualmie, and unincorporated areas in Auburn, Enumclaw, Covington, Fall City, Hobart, North Bend and Preston.

His wife shared more on her devastating loss, in a news release Sunday morning:

“He was doing what he loved 鈥� running on one of the many trails near our Issaquah home. For Bill, these runs were a way to relieve stress during a busy legislative session, a way to stay active 鈥� and exercise our dog Sadie 鈥� and a way to reconnect to the forests and hills he loved that shaped his career.”

Tributes following the unexpected death of Sen. Bill Ramos

Across the aisle, tributes poured in to celebrate the life of Ramos.

Governor Bob Ferguson posted this message:

“Bill was a dedicated public servant and a delightful person. Colleen and I last saw him a week ago at an event where he was receiving an award. Bill was, of course, with Sarah. It was a typical conversation with them 鈥� big hugs, wide smiles, and lots of laughter. I will so miss him.”

Perry’s colleague, King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn also expressed his condolences.

鈥淚 am saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Bill Ramos鈥攁 good man and dedicated public servant who I respected greatly. I enjoyed working with Bill in the spirit of bipartisan cooperation. My deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones.”

According to his Senate Democratic Party web page, Ramos grew up in East Oakland, where he saw first-hand many students without resources who struggled to succeed.

Ramos went to college at Humboldt State University and earned a Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Forest Sciences.

Later he worked for the U.S. Forest Service in North Bend and Enumclaw as Director of Timber Management, Director of Recreation and Public Services, and Director of Ecosystem Management.

During his tenure with the Forest Service, he led a team of scientists working to provide an environmental analysis of federal lands.

Ramos also spent nearly a decade of public service in the federal government working in transportation issues.

He served in the Federal Transit Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, from 2005 to 2013.

Ramos worked as a Community Planner and specialized in developing and managing the Tribal Transit Program, as well as Rural and Small Urban Area Transit Systems.

As the Federal Tribal Liaison, he directed projects to improve public transit on tribal lands and worked collaboratively with 56 tribes in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.

From 2016 to 2019, Ramos was a member of the Issaquah City Council.聽 He also served on Issaquah鈥檚 Economic Vitality Commission, its Planning and Policy Commission, and was chairman of the city鈥檚 Human Service Commission.

Ramos had also been a small business owner since 1996.

Washington Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, offered her condolences in the following statement:

鈥淪en. Bill Ramos brought boundless energy and incredible dedication to doing the people鈥檚 work in the legislature. As the former chair of the State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee in the House, he helped advance legislation to ensure more effective, accountable, and equitable government for all people in Washington. He was also a tireless champion for improving our transportation system鈥︹��

His death comes just two days after the Washington State Senate passed a bipartisan bill he sponsored to modernize the state’s excavation safety laws to better protect workers and underground utilities and ensure efficient infrastructure work.

Senate Bill 5627 would strengthen Washington鈥檚 “Call Before You Dig” laws and help prevent damage to water, power, and sewer lines from digging projects.

In a statement released by Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, he called Senator Ramos’s passing a “devastating loss.”

“Bill was one of the most kind and joyful people I鈥檝e had the pleasure to work with. He never let even the most serious matters get too serious. He made you like him the moment you met him.

鈥淭he shocking news of his death is a reminder to all of us of how important it is to love and appreciate the people who surround us while they鈥檙e here.”

U.S. Representative Kim Schrier, D-Bellevue, also posted a tribute:

鈥淚鈥檓 just heartbroken. Bill Ramos was a dear friend, an incredible leader, and a treasured partner in serving our communities. We have lost a true champion in Washington State. My heart is with Councilmember Sarah Perry, and all who loved him. He will be deeply missed.鈥�

His wife, Councilmember Perry, also shared more on the loss of her husband in the statement she released on Sunday:

鈥淭his connection to the land and people of our region was a foundation of Bill鈥檚 career in the Forest Service and US Department of Transportation, as an Issaquah City Councilmember, and in the State Legislature. Serving in Olympia was a great honor and joy for Bill, where he led with humility, compassion, and always a commitment to the people he represented. After his election to the State Senate last November, Bill was excited to build upon the work he started in the House in 2018: a focus on transportation safety and infrastructure, housing affordability for all, and protecting the air, water, and climate for all of Washington.

鈥淗e was a proud member of the legislative Latino Caucus, never forgetting his East Oakland roots, the hurdles he overcame to accomplish so much, and the importance of representation and giving back. Bill was a mentor and friend to all who asked, quick with a smile and reassuring word, and always willing to drop whatever he was doing to be of service.

鈥淎ll of Bill鈥檚 public accomplishments reflected the man he was in private: a kind, loving spouse and father, brother and uncle, an animal lover who spoiled Sadie, and of course a wonderful dancer who taught me and so many others in our community as an instructor and partner.

鈥淟osing my dance partner in life 鈥� and public service 鈥� is a shocking and unimaginable loss. I will share more details on how we will honor and celebrate his life soon, and thank you to everyone who has reached out to share how Bill touched their lives and hearts.鈥�

Prosecutors estimated that Casey Cain, the man behind the “eager” graffiti tags, has caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. He was ordered to spend 80 hours cleaning graffiti as part of a 2024 plea agreement for a felony malicious mischief.

“Now he’s still cleaning (graffiti) up,” Ursula Reutin, co-host of “The Gee and Ursula Show,” said. “He did that, but he’s still cleaning up, and he’s actually getting paid for it. So Casey and another former tagger, Jay Volkman, now have a graffiti removal business called .”

Cain stated his graffiti removal business will be very effective in combating tagging because they “know how it works” better than most. Cain does want to work with the City of Seattle to establish a designated outlet for graffiti tagging.

How Gee, Ursula feel about the tagger-turned-cleaner’s business

“I have mixed feelings,” Ursula said. “First of all, I mean the part about them actually turning it into a business, I’m all good, as long as they’re not encouraging people to put more graffiti up because they know that group, and then getting paid to clean it up.”

Cain still faces charges from his prior cases, but he claimed his days of tagging are over, wanting to leave a better mark on Seattle instead.

“If you were to tell me that the new commissioner or the new czar for graffiti in the City of Seattle would be some former taggers, I’d be all for it,” Gee Scott, co-host of “The Gee and Ursula Show,” said.

Listen to the full conversation here:

Listen to Gee and Ursula on聽鈥淭he Gee and Ursula Show鈥�聽weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on 成人X站 Newsradio.聽

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, is spearheading the efforts in identifying the root causes of the childhood chronic disease epidemic, which includes the increase in autism among kids.

Leland Vittert, anchor of NewsNation’s prime-time “On Balance,” weighed in on the recent study on “Seattle’s Morning News.”

“We should all want to know why, but we don’t want to stigmatize autism,” Vittert said. “We should celebrate people who are living with it. We should help people who are living with it. I’ve heard people say, ‘Well, it’s your superpower’ or whatever. OK, two things can be true at once. One, we should do everything to help people who are living with autism, whether it be severe autism or other forms on the spectrum, and give them the help they need.”

News anchor diagnosed with autism at young age

Vittert was diagnosed with autism at a very young age. His book, “: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism” (set to be released Sept. 30) documents his father’s role in raising him while he dealt with autism.

“On the other hand, we should acknowledge that it would be great if this weren’t an issue anymore, “Vittert added. “People say we shouldn’t stigmatize it. Well, I would love for my child not to have to worry about having autism. There is a genetic component. It’s obviously something I’ve thought about. If we can understand environmental factors that make it more likely to occur or a more severe occurrence of it, and prevent that, why wouldn’t we do that?”

Listen to the full conversation here:

Listen to聽鈥淪eattle鈥檚 Morning News鈥�聽with Charlie Harger and Manda Factor weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. on 成人X站 Newsradio. Subscribe to the podcast聽here.

Its newest location will be at 1531 Melrose Avenue in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, replacing Homegrown Sandwiches.

Egglsut is known for its assortment of egg-themed breakfast sandwiches, served on a toasted brioche bun, and sides including truffle hashbrowns.

Is Eggslut’s name too much for you?

“I know it sounds ridiculous, but I feel like I would need a shower after I go eat at Eggslut,” Ursula Reutin, co-host of “The Gee and Ursula Show” on 成人X站 Newsradio, said. “I feel horrible even saying it. I just don’t get into businesses that try to have these trendy names and a name that, in my opinion, denigrates women…and you know that I do have a foul mouth.”

“Even though the menu sounds great, everything sounds great, I’m telling you that it’s great, you would still not go somewhere based on a name?” Gee Scott, co-host of “The Gee and Ursula Show” on 成人X站 Newsradio, asked in response.

“OK family, hey boys, do you want to go to the Eggslut? No, I really don’t,” Ursula said.

Ursula also shared that she wouldn’t eat at other controversially-named places, like Pike Place Market’s Biscuit B**** or Las Vegas’ Heart Attack Grill.

According to Egglsut, the restaurant’s controversial name refers to the popular phrase, which started among foodies in the mid-2000s, that describes people who serve every dish topped by an egg.

“The question is, does the name matter? To some people, it does. I’m one of them,” Ursula said.

“When your sons come back in town after they’ve been out of town, what burger establishment is their favorite?” Gee asked Ursula.

“You want me to say Dick’s, but Dick’s is a person’s name, shorthand for Richard. So nice try, Gee,” Ursula responded. “That is a name. That is a nickname for Richard.”

“They didn’t call it Richard’s,” Gee said.

Listen to the full conversation here:

Listen to Gee and Ursula on聽鈥淭he Gee and Ursula Show鈥�聽weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on 成人X站 Newsradio.聽

However, gun rights attorney William Kirk with told “The John Curley Show” on 成人X站 Newsradio Thursday that the bill was expected.

“We saw this one coming from a mile away,” he said. “They tried it last year. Got watered down. It didn’t get watered down this year. So now it’s a reality, and everyone’s been kind of expecting this for a while.”

Senate gun bill would require more intense training

The House passed the bill last month in a 58-38 party-line vote, but the Senate took a different approach鈥攂eefing up the bill, particularly around training.

“So an individual who had the audacity to want to access their Second Amendment rights will need to go through mandatory training, including live-fire training鈥攚hich creates all sorts of issues as I’m not sure how a person could do live-fire training if they don’t have possession of a firearm to begin with鈥攂ut if you do jump through all of those hoops, government will bestow upon you then a permission slip that will then allow you to go to a gun store so that you can purchase a firearm,” Kirk sarcastically explained. “Now, you will have already gone through a background check to get the permission slip, and then you will go to the gun store to go through the exact same background check before you can take possession of that firearm as well.”

John Curley, host of “John Curley,” said there is no data that shows this bill will save lives.

“Absolutely not,” Kirk responded. “And one of the biggest lies they perpetuate is to say that firearms are the number one cause of death for young people. But that’s only if you include 18, 19, and 20-year-olds in the equation, as well. So when they say that it’s the number one leading cause of death of children, that’s actually statistically incorrect.”

Kirk added that when drunk driving happens, no one talks about banning cars or alcohol, but lawmakers continue to bring up banning guns. He believes that Washington Governor Bob Ferguson will sign the legislation, which would then go into effect on May 1, 2027. Kirk also had a message for gun supporters: “Stock up now.”

Contributing: Matt Markovich, 成人X站 Newsradio

Listen to John Curley and weekday afternoons from 3 鈥� 7 p.m. on 成人X站 Newsradio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the聽podcast here.