Tag: washington

These Are The Six States Celebrating America 250 By Raising Your Gas Tax

The final countdown for America’s 250th birthday is on. Families will be planning road trips, parades, vacations, reunions, and cookouts to celebrate the greatest nation in history. But in six states, politicians have a different idea for the party: raise taxes.

Beginning July 1, drivers in California, Washington, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, and Mississippi are scheduled to see higher state gas taxes. In other words, as the country prepares to celebrate casting aside a tax-heavy king in favor of freedom, these states will use the occasion to fatten government coffers one gallon at a time.

The worst offenders will be no surprise. California, Washington and Illinois  — we’ll call them the Axis of Glut.

Their governors are often the first to fake outrage when gas prices rise. They blame oil companies. They blame “price gouging.” They blame world events. They blame everyone except the politicians who keep piling taxes, mandates, and regulations onto every gallon drivers buy.

Yet these same states already have some of the worst gas prices in the nation, some of the highest gas taxes in America, and now they are getting ready to raise those taxes again.

California’s gas tax is already the highest in the country and is scheduled to climb again on July 1, from 61.2 cents to 63.4 cents per gallon, under the state’s annual inflation adjustment. The same report noted California’s average price for regular gasoline was nearly $6 per gallon in early June.

Illinois is no better. The state says its motor fuel tax will rise on July 1 because the law requires an annual inflation adjustment. Washington joined the club with a gas tax increase last year and then baked in automatic increases going forward. Starting July 1, 2026, the state’s fuel tax rises by 2% every year unless lawmakers change the law.

This is the dirty hustle behind inflation-indexed taxes. Politicians get to raise taxes without holding a press conference to admitting it. They pass the law once, then every year drivers get mugged by a formula.

As of June 8, the national average for regular gas was $4.164, down 38.2 cents in a single month. That is welcome relief for families, workers, small businesses and anyone trying to get through summer. But the national average would look even better if it were not being anchored down by tax-heavy states that treat drivers like a rolling ATM.

The problem is not limited to the six July 1 tax-hike states. Seven of the ten most expensive states for gas are run by Democratic governors. That is not a coincidence.

Taxes play a major role in the high-price reputation of many of these states. So do their regulatory regimes, special fuel rules, anti-energy policies and climate mandates that make fuel harder to produce, refine, transport and sell.

The result is predictable.

Families, small businesses, truckers, and farmers all pay more. Then the same politicians who helped drive up the cost pretend they are shocked by the bill.

That is not compassion. That is government gluttony.

Supporters claim the money goes to roads and infrastructure. But that excuse only goes so far. Every tax increase is sold as necessary. Yet somehow the burden always lands in the same place: on the people who drive to work, school, church, the grocery store or a summer vacation.

That is what makes the timing so perfect, and so insulting.

America’s 250th birthday should be a celebration of freedom, independence and the rejection of government overreach. The American Revolution was born from the idea that people should not be treated as endless revenue sources for rulers who never seem to have enough.

Nearly 250 years later, millions of drivers will pull into gas stations in California, Washington, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, and Mississippi and get a reminder that some politicians still have not learned the lesson.

The country is moving toward a better energy future: lower prices, more production, more reliability and less punishment for the people who keep America moving. But these six states are choosing a different path.

America 250 should remind us why this country was born: because free people eventually get tired of being treated like revenue.

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Instagram ‘Influencer’ Arrested for Human Trafficking, Money Laundering, and Organized Crime After Police Raid Ritzy ‘OnlyFans House’ Mansion in Washington

A 21-year-old self-proclaimed influencer and “private equity” hustler named Nikita Tyukalo was arrested on Thursday after Bellevue Police executed a search warrant at a luxury rental mansion in Washington.

The raid uncovered what authorities allege was a sophisticated human trafficking and financial exploitation operation tied to adult content platforms like OnlyFans and Chaturbate.

Neighbors described the mansion as the local “Diddy House.” It had been the subject of months of neighbor complaints about massive parties that allegedly drew hundreds of people, including minors, and constant social media promotion.

Tyukalo, who rented the high-end home, promoted himself online as a successful young entrepreneur.

His Instagram account, with over 5,000 followers, featured photos of stacks of cash and luxury sports cars. His bio bragged, “14m profit by 20,” “private equity,” and “sales.”

Multiple women came forward as victims after a months-long investigation by Bellevue Police’s Human Trafficking Unit.

Police say he ran the operation through Nova Talent Management, which recruited young women, primarily ages 18-22, through social media with promises of big money from pornographic content creation.

Once inside the operation, managers, allegedly including Tyukalo and associates, took control of their OnlyFans and Chaturbate accounts, passwords, and finances.

One victim discovered an account created in her name had generated nearly $230,000 in gross revenue over a single year, but she was locked out and never saw the money.

Victims reported being pressured into increasingly explicit content, forced into 10+ hour streaming sessions, and given stimulants like Adderall to stay awake.

Allegations include physical assaults, threats, intimidation, forced work schedules, and tactics designed to prevent them from leaving. Investigators say the scheme involved financial exploitation, coercion, and abuse on an organized scale.

Bellevue Police SWAT executed the warrant early on June 4.

Inside the mansion they discovered a large whiteboard labeled “Content Plan,” notebooks tracking earnings, and financial records showing hundreds of thousands of dollars moving through business accounts linked to Nova Talent Management.

More than 300 cell phones and over 50 laptops, believed to be used for content creation, account management, and social media promotion, were seized, along with more than 30 sex toys and an empty prescription bottle consistent with Adderall.

The sheer volume of devices and financial paperwork led investigators to describe the home as the hub of an organized criminal enterprise.

Tyukalo currently faces four counts of human trafficking, one count of money laundering, and one count of leading organized crime.

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Washington’s Business Exodus

Washington state’s business climate continues to deteriorate under the weight of record tax increases and burdensome regulations. A spring 2026 survey by the Association of Washington Business (AWB) reveals alarming trends, nearly 1 in 4 employers (24%) are now actively considering relocating their businesses out of state, up sharply from 17% in the previous quarter and nearly triple the level from winter 2025.

Another 55% of business leaders are considering moving their personal residences elsewhere, citing the state’s escalating tax burden as the top challenge. This flight is no surprise. Washington’s business tax climate has plummeted from 6th best in the nation in 2014 to near the bottom today, with the state now ranking among the worst for small business survival.

Major tax hikes enacted in 2025 are now hitting businesses hard. Starting in late 2025 and accelerating into 2026, the state increased Business & Occupation (B&O) tax rates for service businesses and introduced new surcharges. Large companies face a 0.5% surcharge on taxable income over $250 million, while advanced computing firms saw their surcharge jump dramatically. These changes, part of the largest tax increase in state history, are projected to reduce state GDP growth by up to 0.5% in 2026 (nearly $4.5 billion) and cut wages by billions more.

Office vacancy rates reflect the pain. While Seattle’s downtown vacancy remains among the nation’s highest (hovering between 28% and 35%+ in Q1 2026 reports), the broader Puget Sound region and state face similar pressures from remote work shifts and corporate relocations. Companies like Starbucks are shifting hundreds of jobs to lower-tax states such as Tennessee. Other firms have issued WARN notices and moved operations to Idaho, Utah, and beyond.

High-profile exits and stalled expansions are mounting. Entrepreneurs report that Washington’s combination of high taxes, regulatory red tape, and hostile policies makes growth nearly impossible.

Bottom line is as the high earners and companies leave the state, the revenue from increased taxes, including the new income tax, will dry up and politicians in Olympia will be left scrambling for new sources of tax revenue. The $1,000,000 threshold on the income tax will fall in the blink of an eye.

Politicians have to restore small business owners’ confidence in the regulatory environment and keep the promises they are making. Just 3 months after signing the income tax into law, lauding it as the way forward for the state, Governor Ferguson is now claiming he will veto any change to the exemption threshold in order to garner support to keep the legislation in place. History indicates that Ferguson’s claim might be a little “flexible,” and that’s the problem. There is no predictability for business owners.

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Washington Legal Settlement Protects Christian Foster Parents

The widespread cultural divide among Americans was evident in a recent First Amendment case in Washington. A Christian foster family from the Evergreen State said their speech and religious liberties were violated by state policies demanding they employ gender pronouns and affirm the sexual orientation of their foster charges. The resulting settlement seeks to protect religious liberties while also supporting the self-identification of gender, orientation, etc., by minors in need of an affirming home.

Brave Foster Plaintiffs

Shane and Jennifer DeGross are devout Christians who served as licensed foster parents in Washington from 2013 to 2022, caring for four children. The onslaught of trans ideology and a world in which toddlers allegedly proclaim their “true” gender yielded regulations in Washington and many other states that required foster parents to agree that they would “affirm” a child’s sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (called “SOGIE”), regardless of whether a particular child actually articulated any such desires. That is, the laws are imposed “just in case” a child decides to transition or declare themself gay, bi, trans, etc.

The DeGrosses told the truth to state employees: They could not agree to such restrictions because they believe that “a person’s biological sex is an immutable characteristic” and that “as image bearers of God, a person should live consistent with their God-given sex rather than contrary to God’s design.” The state of Washington then denied them a license, later issuing a limited license, which the couple still found hostile to their faith.

The DeGrosses brought suit in federal court with the assistance of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), alleging the state had violated their First Amendment rights to freedom of religion and expression. The state sought to dismiss the complaint, alleging the plaintiffs had no legitimate cause of action. Ruling in favor of the plaintiffs, the court stated:

“….Policy § 1520 restricts certain speech by prospective parents on the topic of SOGIE, while requiring speech that aligns with the state’s perspective…. In essence, the Department has forced the DeGrosses to choose between forfeiting their freedom of speech to obtain an unrestricted license, or upholding their beliefs surrounding SOGIE, and receiving a less-favorable license subject to certain restrictions. The DeGrosses have carried their burden to show that the Department’s enforcement of Policy § 1520 plausibly constitutes impermissible viewpoint discrimination.”

Freedom of Religion Endures

The US Constitution is designed to prevent government intrusion into citizens’ subjective beliefs, particularly regarding religious or political views. State foster care services place agencies in the midst of the culture war created by novel theories about mutable gender, infinite pronouns, and endless prideful celebration of sexual behaviors. Some parents may wish to encourage such thinking and behaviors in very young children; some (including conservative Christians) are inclined otherwise. In seeking to split this proverbial baby in half for foster parenting, the court noted: “The situation would be no different if the state had restricted parental speech favoring more ‘progressive’ views of sexuality and gender identify, while compelling speech along the lines of [the DeGrosses’] more traditional understanding.” [citation omitted.]

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Repeat Speeders In Washington Could Soon Have Cars Electronically Restricted

Washington state has approved a new law targeting drivers with serious speeding violations by requiring them to use speed-limiting technology before regaining limited driving privileges, according to Slashgear. 

The measure, House Bill 1596 — also called the BEAM Act — was created in response to a fatal 2024 crash that killed Boyd Buster Brown, Eloise Wilcoxson, Andrea Smith Hudson, and Matilda Wilcoxson.

Beginning in January 2029, drivers whose licenses were suspended for reckless driving or excessive speeding will need to install an “intelligent speed assistance” device in their vehicles to qualify for a restricted license. Using GPS tracking, the system monitors a vehicle’s speed and prevents drivers from exceeding a programmed limit. The law allows only three manual overrides each month.

The bill classifies excessive speeding as driving at least 10 mph over the limit in areas posted at 40 mph or below, or 20 mph over the limit on faster roads. Washington is one of several states moving toward stricter enforcement measures for repeat dangerous drivers, following similar efforts in places like New York.

The article notes that the law also carries financial obligations. Unless a driver qualifies for assistance, they must pay for the installation, removal, and leasing of the device, along with a $21 monthly fee. That money will help fund a state program designed to assist lower-income drivers with the costs.

Tampering with the device is treated as a serious offense. Anyone caught removing, disabling, or altering the system without a legitimate repair or safety reason could face a gross misdemeanor charge, which may include up to one year in jail and fines reaching $5,000.

As more states experiment with new traffic enforcement strategies — including variable speed limits and automated monitoring systems — Washington’s approach reflects a growing push to reduce dangerous speeding through technology rather than traditional enforcement alone.

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Seattle Homeless Man Who Allegedly Kidnapped and Raped Girl Had 28 Prior Arrests

A Seattle homeless man who allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl already had 28 prior arrests and 46 warrants.

KVI reported on May 7 that Joshua V. Kowalczewski, 36, allegedly targeted the girl at a bus stop, forced her to join him in nearby woods, and raped her in the middle of the day.

He was charged with first-degree rape and second-degree kidnapping by King County prosecutors.

His bail was set at $1 million after prosecutors noted the risks he poses the public — and his two decades of refusing to cooperate with court orders.

Kowalczewski indeed had 28 arrests and 13 convictions, as well as 46 lifetime warrants and nine active warrants, per a report from KCPQ.

KVI noted that those convictions included offenses such as assault, drug possession, theft, DUI, violating protection orders, possessing burglary tools, and criminal trespassing.

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Seattle LGBT Commission Demands Taxpayer-Funded Housing and ‘State of Emergency’ for ‘Trans Refugees’ Fleeing Republican States, Socialist Mayor Promises Action Despite $175 Million Budget Deficit

Seattle’s official LGBT Commission is calling on socialist Mayor Katie Wilson to declare a formal “state of emergency” over what it calls a “trans relocation crisis,” and is demanding the city provide free housing and taxpayer-funded salaries for trans activist groups to support thousands of transgender-identifying individuals allegedly fleeing red states.

The commission claims “tens of thousands” of “trans refugees” have fled to Seattle in order to escape “genocidal and vile legislation” passed in Republican states that restrict sex change procedures for minors.

In an official statement, the advisory body demanded the city immediately step up with housing “run by trans orgs for trans people,” pay unemployed volunteers who are “fighting full-time against this crisis,” and offer protection from the federal government.

A coalition of trans activist groups, including the Antifa-affiliated “Moto Hooligans,” has announced a rally and march on Saturday, May 23, at Cal Anderson Park to pressure Mayor Wilson to meet their demands.

The Post Millennial reports:

A coalition of trans activist groups, including the Antifa-affiliated “Moto Hooligans,” stated that they need more financial resources to assist the “tens of thousands” of transgender “refugees” who have allegedly moved to Seattle to escape what they call the Trump administration’s “genocide” of trans people, according to a Tuesday social media post. As a result, the coalition has demanded free housing for trans people, as well as the allocation of taxpayer funds to pay trans activists to assist with the so-called “crisis.”

The group announced a Saturday, May 23, rally and march at Seattle’s Cal Anderson Park, the former CHAZ/CHOP zone, to demand further resources from Mayor Wilson, a socialist who took office earlier this year.

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Outrageous! Panda Express Employees Call the Police on Man for Wearing a MAGA Hat Inside and Flashing a Harmless Gesture at Cook

The disease known as Trump Derangement Syndrome is now infecting employees at one of the most famous Chinese restaurants in America.

As Fox News reported on Tuesday, a conservative influencer has revealed that a pair of employees at a Panda Express in Washington state called the cops on conservative influencer Chris Sims and his friend @DannyRebel333 over a MAGA hat and flashing an innocuous gesture to a cook inside the establishment.

Fox News confirmed the incident in Lakewood on May 10.

In the video below, Sims, wearing the hat, is livestreaming his visit to Panda Express. Shortly after entering the restaurant, he notices they don’t like the hat he’s wearing.

Sims then gives a thumbs-up to one of the cooks. Upon seeing this, the employees behind the counter then kicked Sims and his friend out of the restaurant.

After exchanging words with a pair of employees outside the restaurant, Sims learns that the police have been called.

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Seattle Democrat Who Welcomed New ‘Socialist’ Mayor Now ‘Gravely Concerned’ About Businesses Fleeing the City

Seattle’s new socialist Mayor Katie Wilson made headlines a few weeks ago as she laughed off the idea of millionaires fleeing the city over new and higher taxes.

Now some people in the city, including other Democrats, are starting to realize just who they put into this position of power.

One city council member who reportedly ‘welcomed’ the change the new mayor was bringing to the city is now ‘gravely concerned’ about the parade of wealth that is going to march out of the area.

FOX News reports:

Dem who welcomed socialist mayor’s ‘change’ now sounding alarm over billionaire exodus: ‘Gravely concerned’

A Democratic city council member who once welcomed the “change” from socialist Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is now admitting he is “gravely concerned” about the business exodus affecting the major American city.

This comes as blue states like Washington and New York face a business exodus in favor of more market-friendly red states. Starbucks, a major player in Seattle’s business scene, recently announced a major expansion into Nashville while simultaneously cutting Seattle-based corporate jobs, a move that has intensified concerns about Seattle’s business climate and economic competitiveness.

Wilson, a self-proclaimed socialist, recently went viral for laughing off the exodus of billionaires and business leaders from her city, saying, “I think the claims that millionaires are going to leave our state are super overblown,” and adding, “the ones that leave? Like, bye.”

Now, less than five months into Wilson’s term, Seattle Democratic Councilmember Rob Saka admitted to the New York Times, “I am gravely concerned,” telling the outlet, “This is real.”

Saka previously welcomed Wilson after she defeated incumbent Bruce Harrell, saying in a statement, “The voters have spoken, calling for change and a renewed focus on affordability, community, and fighting back against a resurgent Trump agenda.”

Who is going to fund the new socialist utopia when all of the wealthy people leave Seattle?

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Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson fined for improper use of state aircraft for personal travel

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson violated state ethics law by allowing a former aide to fly on a state aircraft for personal travel, according to a ruling by the Washington State Executive Ethics Board.

The board concluded Ferguson improperly used state resources and granted a special privilege when he invited former Chief Strategy Officer Mike Webb to join him on a Washington State Patrol plane in June 2025.

The incident stemmed from a complaint filed on July 30, 2025, alleging Ferguson permitted a private citizen to travel on a taxpayer-funded aircraft assigned for official gubernatorial use. The complaint said Webb, who had left state employment months earlier, was traveling for non-government purposes.

According to stipulated facts accepted by the board, Webb resigned from the governor’s office in March 2025 but was allowed to accompany Ferguson on a June 26 flight to the Tri-Cities, where both had separate engagements. Ferguson said he offered Webb an empty seat on the plane because the flight was not at capacity.

Ferguson acknowledged the decision was a mistake, stating in a written response that the invitation “may have given the wrong impression” that Webb still had a role in the administration.

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