Stories by John Ley
152 stories
Opinion: Lawsuit filed to stop Interstate Bridge replacement project’s low design
Iron Partners LLC says a 116-foot fixed span would eliminate its ability to handle major projects tied to national security and critical infrastructure.
Opinion: Skyview girls’ courage is contagious
Skyview runners Charlie Garrett and Sierra Retzlaff walked off a cross country course rather than compete against a biological male athlete.
Opinion: They’re coming for your money — and your retirement
Rep. John Ley argues WA Democrats have already signaled plans to lower the new 9.9% income tax threshold below $1 million.
Opinion: Stop rewarding fiscal mismanagement on the IBR; enough is enough
Rep. John Ley argues the $15.2B IBR project is underfunded, years behind schedule, and should strip out its $3.5B transit component.
Opinion: Washington state’s rainy day fund won’t help fire victims
Rep. John Ley says Washington's reserves sit at about 5.6 percent, the lowest in the nation, leaving little for wildfire relief.
Opinion: Wildfires, forgotten lessons and the price of neglect
Rep. John Ley argues decades of poor forest management have left 400 million acres of fuel primed to burn.
Opinion: Washington State’s Fiscal Suicide – Are Democrats deaf to warning signs, as taxpayers foot the bill
Rep. John Ley argues Washington's operating budget has exploded 230% since 2001, driven by spending, not a revenue shortage.
Opinion: C-TRAN outpaces TriMet – Strong finances and growing ridership, but a cautionary note on costs and efficiency
C-TRAN's farebox recovery has dropped from 17% in 2017 to just 4.2% in 2025, even as reserves top $201 million.
Opinion: “Letting the camel’s nose into the tent; Reject the income tax
Rep. John Ley warns a "temporary" 9.9% state income tax follows a pattern of taxes that never expire.
Opinion: Will TriMet be around to operate the IBR’s light rail?
TriMet faces $6.4 billion in decade-long operating losses as the IBR's light rail future grows uncertain.
Opinion: Legislators demand two auxiliary lanes and challenge light rail plans for I-5 Bridge Replacement
Legislators from both states pressed IBR staff on auxiliary lanes, tolling diversion, and a $7.65 billion cost estimate with no clear path to full funding.
Opinion: The IBR shell game for TriMet at Ruby Junction
IBR allocates $320M for a TriMet maintenance facility 20 miles from the actual bridge project.
Opinion: Comparing destruction vs refurbishment of the Interstate Bridges
Rep. John Ley argues $390M earmarked for bridge demolition could fund a seismic retrofit and new express span instead.
Opinion: The challenges of getting the Brockmann mental health facility open
A $42 million, 48-bed mental health campus near WSU Vancouver was completed in 2025 but never opened due to lack of state funding.
Opinion: Greg Johnson’s $2 million contract delivered a huge mess
Johnson's $1.9M pay coincided with IBR costs tripling and construction timeline doubling to 20 years.
Opinion: DOT secretary and Maryland governor fire Key Bridge contractor
Maryland fired their bridge contractor over cost concerns while IBR balloons to $18 billion for a shorter span.
Opinion: Washington state is overtaxing you
Rep. John Ley argues property taxes have grown far beyond the promised 1% cap, forcing seniors on fixed incomes to struggle.
Opinion: Everything about TriMet screams ‘poor management’
Rep. John Ley examines TriMet's $850 million operating loss and 75% cost increase for MAX light rail service.
Opinion: What is the cost of a bridge?
John Ley argues the I-5 Bridge replacement’s soaring cost stems from costly extras like light rail, noting other states deliver larger, toll-free bridges for much less.
Opinion: Historical state income tax and another massive operating budget highlight the end of the 2026 legislative session
Rep. John Ley details the passage of a state income tax, an expanding $80 billion budget, and new Clark County infrastructure funding following the 2026 legislative session.
Opinion: Many important decisions looming as the 2026 session nears the end
Rep. John Ley outlines budget concerns, energy policy debates and several tax proposals as the 2026 legislative session approaches its final days.
Opinion: Make your voice heard about the majority party’s state income tax proposal
Rep. John Ley outlines his opposition to Senate Bill 6346 and urges residents to participate in the February 24 public hearing before the House Finance Committee.
Opinion: Is a state income tax coming, and the latest on the I-5 Bridge project
Rep. John Ley shares a legislative update on a proposed state income tax, the I-5 Bridge project, the Brockmann Campus and House Bill 2605.
Opinion: Washingtonians want affordability, not more taxes, according to our recent survey
Rep. John Ley shares results from a legislative survey showing affordability concerns and opposition to new taxes among respondents, while outlining Republican priorities in Olympia.
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