Democrats call it “linking markets”—but for Washington drivers, it just means linking arms with California to pay even more at the pump.

Washington’s Climate “Link-Up”: More Bureaucracy, Higher Gas

Washington state is doubling down on its love affair with California-style climate policy, and the results will be just as painful for working families here as they are down south. This month, two big moves pushed Washington closer to formally linking its carbon market with California and Quebec. First, California extended its cap-and-trade program from 2030 to 2045, locking in years of higher energy costs. Then, Washington’s Department of Ecology wrapped up a round of rulemaking designed to “stabilize” its carbon market and align with California and Quebec. Officials say the goal is to “reduce compliance costs” and “help businesses invest in clean energy.” Translation: more bureaucratic hoops, more government control, and no relief for families paying record gas prices.

The sales pitch is familiar: create a bigger carbon market, drive down emissions, and unleash green investment. But the reality is clear—California and Washington already lead the nation in sky-high gas prices. Linking our markets will only hardwire those costs into the system. Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller cheered California’s move as a “win” for states “leading on climate.” What he didn’t mention is that ordinary people are the ones paying for this so-called leadership every time they fill up their car, heat their home, or buy groceries delivered by trucks facing inflated fuel bills.

Instead of focusing on affordability, Democrats are busy congratulating themselves on joining an international climate cartel. They insist it’s about “long-term investments,” but for taxpayers and consumers, it looks a lot more like long-term pain. Washington families struggling with inflation don’t need another round of virtue signaling from Olympia. They need leaders who will prioritize affordability over chasing California’s failing policies. Unfortunately, by 2026 or 2027, when Washington officially links up with California and Quebec, the only thing guaranteed is more expensive energy and less accountability. Read more at Center Square.

Jayapal’s “Principled” Stand: Defending Everything Except Condemning Murder

Democrats love to preach about lowering the temperature in politics—until it’s time to actually prove it. Case in point: Rep. Pramila Jayapal voted against a simple House resolution condemning the assassination of Charlie Kirk. No political spin, no endorsements, no “gotchas”—just a plain statement that political violence has no place in America. Jayapal’s excuse? She whined that Republicans were trying to “lionize” Kirk. Problem is, the resolution doesn’t even mention his views. She could’ve voted “present,” like some of her colleagues, but instead she outright opposed it—showing that her hatred for conservatives runs deeper than her supposed opposition to violence. Democrats say they want unity, but when it comes to conservatives being killed, apparently they can’t even muster the bare minimum of moral clarity. Read more at Seattle Red.

Ferguson’s “Cruelty” Fix: Taxpayers as Planned Parenthood’s Piggy Bank

Planned Parenthood just lost a year of Medicaid funding in the latest federal budget bill, and in true Olympia fashion, Gov. Bob Ferguson is racing to protect the abortion giant from any financial discomfort—by handing the bill to state taxpayers. The loss amounts to more than $11 million, money that will now come entirely out of Washington’s strained budget. Ferguson blasted the federal decision as “cruel” and promised to plug the gap so Planned Parenthood doesn’t miss a dime.

Never mind that federal law already blocks Medicaid dollars from paying for abortions except in limited cases, or that Washington’s Apple Health program already goes beyond that—covering abortions for low-income women, including undocumented immigrants, no residency requirement needed. Ferguson’s fix isn’t about “access,” because those services weren’t going anywhere. It’s about guaranteeing Planned Parenthood’s revenue stream, even if it means raiding the state Health Care Authority and piling more obligations onto taxpayers.

Once again, Democrats are proving their priorities: not fiscal responsibility, not addressing the budget shortfalls they keep warning about, but making sure their favored special interests stay flush with cash. While families struggle with higher costs of living, Ferguson is busy bailing out Planned Parenthood with money the state doesn’t have. Call it what it is: ideology over affordability, and taxpayers left holding the bag. Read more at the Washington Policy Center.

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