Archives for July 2014

Governor Jay Inslee finally admitted publically to KIRO radio host Dori Monson that he will use his administrative powers- and ignore the state legislature- when he raises the price of gasoline in Washington State.

Jay Inslee signed an agreement with California and Canada which imposes “low carbon fuel standards,” however the Governor’s own consultants estimate these new standards will end up costing Washingtonians $1.17 per gallon in increased fuel costs.

Shift has been investigating the gas hike plans for a while now, which has resulted in Inslee avoiding questions about how much these extreme plans would cost consumers in the state of Washington.

King County voters recently voted down an effort to raiser taxes. According to Susan Hutchison, Republican Party Chair, “This job-killing measure would hit middle class and working families the hardest.  Not only is Inslee’s plan to raise the price  of gas harmful – it is very unpopular.”

Randy Pepple with Shift told KIRO Radio that this could be imposed in the first quarter of 2015. With gas prices already above $4 a gallon in most areas, this will largely impact the people of Washington.

For more information on this gas hike visit MyNorthwest.

Photo: Politico.com  

Hobby Lobby challenged the contraceptive mandate made by the government which required that all employers cover the cost of all contraceptives at no cost to their employees. The Green family, the owners of the arts and crafts chain, Hobby Lobby as well as the Hahns, owners of Conestoga a cabinet making company challenged this mandate saying that it violates their freedom of religion.

They specifically object to four of the drugs included in the Affordable Care Act and object to paying for these drugs and devices saying they violate their faith. Failing to pay for these drugs covered by the Affordable Care Act would result in what they called “ruinous fines.”

The government defended this provision saying that this coverage is essential for women. This case put advocates of religious liberty against women’s rights groups.

What Was The Supreme Court Ruling? 

In a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court decided that the regulations imposed by these contraceptive mandates violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The court rejected the governments claim that neither owners nor corporations could bring about a freedom of liberty claim. The Greens and Hahns believe that coverage demanded by the Heath and Human Services regulation is tied to the destruction of an embryo in a way that makes it immoral for them to provide the coverage without going against their religious convictions.

The court also acknowledged that the contraceptive mandate has not been proved by the government to be the least restrictive option for women’s health in furthering the interest and proving it essential for women’s health care.

This ruling deals with a small portion of Obamacare however this is a hit for Obamacare, the administration and its backers. The justices have given Obamacare opponents a political victory.

The Obama Administration and Women’s Health Groups are warning broad implications claiming that employers will see this case as a reason to state they object to vaccines or blood transfusions on religious grounds.

However, supporters praised the decision, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell who is quoted saying, ““the Obama administration cannot trample on the religious freedoms that Americans hold dear.”