I always thought a wealth tax would piss off potential campaign funders (or energize funders for opposition candidates). I think he’s Pragmatic Bob, who wants to stay employed.

I can't believe there are still idiots championing a wealth tax. In addition to being impossible to administer, it would cause the wealthy to flee this state faster than Jeff Bezos can say "Miami".

Wealth tax is DOA. When even Nick Hanauer craps all over it there is no way its getting over the finish line no matter how much progressives salivate at the possibility. More than likely we'll get the rise in property taxes that Dow is lusting after to 3%, expanding the B&O tax as Katie mentions, making the Seattle employment tax statewide and potentially lowering the cut off for the capital gains tax and/or upping the rate. That probably still won't close the gap though so cuts will be necessary. This despite the fact revenue in WA state has far outpaced inflation and population growth.

Our governor, like most of us, is not easily pigeon-holed into one label. And that’s a good thing, no matter how much it might distress those progressives who see transgression in any disagreement with their orthodoxy.

That said, I am disappointed that he has not started his first term by fixing the education funding model. The “McCleary fix” wasn’t and virtually every school district in the state is on the verge of bankruptcy (aka “binding conditions” with OSPI). Until the state legislature and the Governor either pay for the requirements they’ve written into state law or repeal those requirements (even less likely) students in our state will continue to suffer as a result.

You forgot Creepy Bob

A perfect example of the duplicity of the Democratic Party. If anybody thinks the they will change the way crisis capitalism exploits every opportunity to externalize costs, legally or illegally, they are delusional. The 'free enterprise" system is a myth hiding the realities of an amoral system exemplified by the predators running the Federal government today.

"Instead, Ferguson came out of the gates angering or bewildering many of his supporters. And, in our hyperpartisan times, it’s unlikely that Republicans are going to warm up to Ferguson just because he parrots some of their talking points."

This is classic Dem strategy nevermind it doesn't ever work. I'm confident he's being strategic and almost certainly also ambitious. When he runs for President he'll highlight how "pragmatic" he's been.

I think you mean the mystery of the four boobs: Trump, J D Vance, Elon Musk and McConnell. They are the reason we’re in this god-awful mess!

Fergee
you wanna
run for Prez
you're gonna
need a Shade
more Gravitas:

I suggest
lifting Weights or
maybe just fucktonnes
of Cheeseburgers or even a
fatsuit like the Notorious djt wears

tho the djt's fatsuit'd
be pretty Challeng-
ing for the djt
to Remove

such a Stunning
Disappointment
for poor Melania

I hope she's got
herself some
Good SS*
backup.

*along with
one of those
anti-Predator
head-toppers:

see: the
Inaguration
and our Fearless
hair Furor's failure to Launch

Katie, Dude! You got a boner for Bob. Just admit it. We all see it.

Fingers crossed for Bob #1 but I'm afraid the real Bob is most likely a combination of #s 2, 3, and 4.

What about the "lets not pick up nickels in front of a steamroller" Bob?

It seems that most of Bob's pragmatism sprang up after the November election went for Trump. Trump likes a fight and it's probably not a good idea to see how many times one can pull that tiger's tail before it bites back. Lay low and try to get along without attracting attention.

You can see the issues that Trump is baiting his traps with by his executive orders. And fiscal accountability is one. So Bob is just trying to go along. Shame about our legislature. Bait: taken.

Fine, make him president, I am aok with that.