Blogs
The Overburdened Agency: How Washington's Department of Commerce Struggles Impact Us All
By Cindy Alia 1/21/26
Agency Overload Part 2
Here are additional Proposed Bills that will result in agency overload and diminished oversight of taxpayer dollars! Prospective property owners heads up!
Always call the legislative hotline with the bill number and your comment! 800 562 6000
These Bills Need Your Attention to Prevent Escalating Taxation and Costs of Living.
Forest Practices Board Yields to Ecology Over-reach on Non Fish Bearing Stream Tempuratures
By Cindy Alia 1/16/26
Ecology's unsurprising over-reach in interpreting incorrectly a federal law about stream tempuratures applying it to non fish bearing streams thereby expanding no touch buffers in forestry.
Credit to Washington Forest Protection Association
Forest Landowners Litigate Forest Practice Board Decision that Ignores Cost-Effective Solutions
HB 2294 Another Leap for the Socialist Nanny State
By Cindy Alia 1/14/26
HB 2294 Prohibiting negative use restrictions on real property that have the effect of limiting consumer access to food and medicine. Is another leap for the Socialist Nanny State to make sure Private Property Owners behave exactly as the bil sponsors imagine they should for the benefit of those living nearby that property for the purpose of maintaining or increasing food and medicine access.
The bill directly interferes with property rights through eliminating negative use restrictions for a property agreement. Here is an overview of concerns with this prohibitive bill:
I. Introduction: Overview of Concerns with the Proposed Bill
House Bill 2089 Inconsistent Intent Expands B&O Taxation to All Lenders
By Cindy Alia 1/5/26
Concise Analysis of HB 2089 (Wildfire Alleviation Support Act) –
The Core Change:
Effective July 1, 2026, the bill amends RCW 82.04.29005 by removing the "located in more than ten states" qualifier for banking institutions. This eliminates the B&O tax deduction for interest on residential first mortgages (previously available to lenders operating in 10 or fewer states), subjecting all such interest income to Washington's B&O tax at the service rate (~1.5–1.8%).
Stated Intent vs. Actual Effect –
Negative Impacts to Washington State Revenue from Enacting an Income Tax
12/4/2025
By Cindy Alia
The idea of an unconstitutional income tax on Washington's citizens is especially daunting when viewed from to lens of those already over taxed and over burdened. We all want to keep more of the money we earn, but taxation especially stings and hits hard when it is collected then wasted by poor oversight, lack of meaningful auditing, and self serving programs. People are aware of these faults and at some point will vote with their feet, increased taxation feeds this behavior.
King County’s Outside Counsel Monopoly: How Taxpayer Dollars Are Used to Block Taxpayers
December 4, 2025
By Dominique Scarimbolo, CAPR King County President
King County’s Outside Counsel Monopoly: How Taxpayer Dollars Are Used to Block Taxpayers
Through extensive public-records requests, CAPR has uncovered a deeply troubling pattern inside King County government: the County has spent over $56 million on outside legal counsel since the year 2000—despite already employing hundreds of attorneys in-house.
The records we obtained show 20,334 payments to 1,607 different payees, with a staggering $43.6 million (about 78%) of all spending going to 629 private law firms. These are not small solo practices—many are major institutional firms with the staff, resources, and litigation power normally needed to stand up to government agencies.
Washington State Department of Ecology Blindly Enforcing Water Rules
By Cindy Alia 1/16/26
Update on the Robert Greiff Water Rights Case
Credit to Don Jenkins and Mathew Weaver, Capital Press
Ecology Not Telling Lawmakers Whole Story About Farmer Consultant Says
If it Looks Like a Wolf...
Posted by Cindy Alia 11/21/2025
Featured Guest Writer Steve Busch
An article from the OMOTS Website
“If it looks like a wolf, acts like a wolf, then it’s a wolf”: The Absurdity of Distinct Population Segments
On By Steve Busch
November 21, 2025
Food Freedom at Risk in Washington State
By Cindy Alia 11/21/2025
Media is quick to publish stories related to the phrase "food deserts" and blaming it for the most part on evil corporations that market foods. There are a lot of reasons for the so called food deserts, including corporate decision making on the vialbility of certain locations impacted by crime, theft, or other societal ills that make doing business at a given location that is unpoliced too much of a business challenge.
November 21, 2025
2026-2027 Proposed King County Budget
October 8, 2025 by Cindy Alia
King County has posted its proposed budget for the next biennial and you can review it here: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/executive/governance-leadership/performance-strategy-budget/budget/2026-2027-budget comments you may have can be sent to the county at this email: budget.council@kingcounty.gov
Below, you will find a comment provided to the county with an overview geared at implementing cost savings through targeted cuts and fraud detection improvements:
Date: October 8, 2025
Subject: Targeted Budget Cuts and Enhanced Fraud Prevention Measures
Dear King County Council,
October 8, 2025
