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The Week AheadFIX WASHINGTON.
Democrats have downplayed poor test results and learning loss
Over the past decade, K-12 spending in Washington has increased significantly, but academic performance has declined. Standardized test scores show that significantly more students are below grade level than pre-pandemic levels, with about 100,000 students still behind in reading and math. Only 50.3% of students are reading at grade level, down from 59.6% in 2019, and just 39.7% passed math, compared to 48.9% pre-pandemic. Chronic absenteeism is also a major concern, with 30% of students missing more than 10% of the school year—double the pre-pandemic rate. As a result, Washington now ranks ninth in the nation for chronic absenteeism.
Democrats have made communities less safe
Washington state is experiencing a surge in crime and public health crises, ranking second nationally in home break-ins, vehicle thefts, retail theft, and drug overdoses. Violent crime has risen sharply, with the murder rate increasing by 87.4% since 2019—more than five times the national average. Juvenile crime, including gang-related offenses, has also spiked. These challenges are further compounded by Washington’s ranking as last in the nation for law enforcement officers per capita, with just 1.35 officers per 1,000 residents—well below the national average.
Tragically, drug overdose deaths are still at crisis levels in Washington, even as national overdose rates have declined. In 2023, drug overdoses claimed the lives of more than 3,500 Washingtonians. Among young people, overdose fatalities in Washington have more than tripled since 2019, while emergency department visits for opioid overdoses have seen a similar surge, and ambulance responses to suspected cases have quadrupled. Despite this alarming trend, the state has just two detox beds available for youth statewide.
Democrats have made Washington less competitive as small businesses have failed
Washington’s economy is facing several significant challenges. The state is struggling to meet workforce demands, with 1.5 million job openings expected over the next eight years but a shortage of workers with postsecondary credentials. Adding to these concerns, the state has the highest business failure rate in the nation. Washington’s highly regulated environment—ranked as the eighth most regulated in the country—serves as another barrier to success. The state’s unemployment rate currently stands at 4.6%, ranking 41st in the nation. Aside from workforce concerns, rising food insecurity is impacting Washingtonians, with food bank visits increasing by 22% over the past year. Families are also burdened by exorbitant child care costs, with the median cost for infant care rising 74% over the past decade, now averaging $1,700 per month. That makes Washington the seventh-least affordable state for child care.
Democrats have made life more expensive
Washington is the fourth most expensive state to live in. Its affordability crisis directly result from high taxes, burdensome regulations, and failed policies that have driven up costs for working families. The state imposes the nation’s fourth-highest combined sales tax rate, disproportionately hurting low-income families. The Democrats’ carbon tax has saddled Washington drivers with the third-highest gas prices in the country. Housing affordability is equally dire: rents have surged 50% over the last decade, 73% of households can’t afford a median-priced home, and more than 200,000 Washingtonians face homelessness or housing instability. It’s no surprise Washington ranks as the fifth most unaffordable state for housing.
Democrats have not held state agencies accountable for their failures
One-party rule in Olympia has left Washington grappling with critical challenges. Homelessness is a major concern, with Washington having the third-largest homeless population in the nation. Chronic homelessness increased by 55.8% from 2023 to 2024—the largest increase of any state. Nearly half of all homeless individuals in the state are chronically homeless. Washington also ranks fourth in the number of homeless veterans. Unlike other states that saw a reduction in veteran homelessness last year, Washington experienced the most significant increase in the nation.
Washington’s transportation system is at a crossroads, with mounting challenges that demand immediate action. Traffic fatalities have surged by 51% since 2019, claiming 810 lives in 2023 alone. Years of underfunding have left our highways in “early stages of failure,” as noted by WSDOT, jeopardizing safety, commerce, and daily commutes. Washington now ranks among the worst states for driving, plagued by deteriorating infrastructure, soaring costs, and rising crime on our roadways. The state’s ferry system, a vital lifeline for tens of thousands, has also reached a crisis point. Chronic delays, aging vessels, and insufficient capacity have left riders frustrated and underserved.
Democrats’ climate policies have failed and made life more expensive for the working-class
Washington is at a critical crossroads, facing significant environmental and energy challenges. A staggering 70% of our critical salmon species—a cornerstone of the ecosystem and a cultural icon—fail to meet recovery goals or are in crisis. This alarming trend is compounded by the pollution plaguing our waterways, with 50% of freshwater and 20% of marine waters deemed unhealthy. In addition, 2.7 million acres of forestland are in poor condition. Litter is a growing problem on our roadways, with Washington seeing three times more litter on public roads than the national average.
When it comes to Washington’s push toward a clean energy future, the Democrats’ ambitious environmental goals are clashing with the reality of impending blackouts and brownouts if we do not significantly increase our electricity generation. While we are energy-independent today, projections show we could rely on other states for nearly half of our electricity by 2050. To avert an energy crisis, Washington must embrace nuclear power as a critical component of its energy strategy.
