Tim Gruver
@timgruver.bsky.social
Reporter @washingtonobserver.bsky.social Sec. @spjwash.bsky.social. Words @Politico.com, @Pluribusnews.bsky.social, The Center Square, @Oregonian.com, @Metacritic.com
Pinned
Re-Wire Policy Conference 2025
Fire up that calendar app – or if you’re old-school, flip open the paper planner and block off the second half of Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. You’ll want to spend that afternoon and early evening with us a...
docs.google.com
Good government means grilling your electeds every so often to see what they're up to with YOUR 💸: e.g. Re-Wire. 🗳️
We at the WA Observer are throwing our usual shindig in the City of Destiny. And we need YOU to help us send out 2025 with a bang. 🥂🎊
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
We at the WA Observer are throwing our usual shindig in the City of Destiny. And we need YOU to help us send out 2025 with a bang. 🥂🎊
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Good government means grilling your electeds every so often to see what they're up to with YOUR 💸: e.g. Re-Wire. 🗳️
We at the WA Observer are throwing our usual shindig in the City of Destiny. And we need YOU to help us send out 2025 with a bang. 🥂🎊
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
We at the WA Observer are throwing our usual shindig in the City of Destiny. And we need YOU to help us send out 2025 with a bang. 🥂🎊
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Re-Wire Policy Conference 2025
Fire up that calendar app – or if you’re old-school, flip open the paper planner and block off the second half of Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. You’ll want to spend that afternoon and early evening with us a...
docs.google.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Good government means grilling your electeds every so often to see what they're up to with YOUR 💸: e.g. Re-Wire. 🗳️
We at the WA Observer are throwing our usual shindig in the City of Destiny. And we need YOU to help us send out 2025 with a bang. 🥂🎊
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
We at the WA Observer are throwing our usual shindig in the City of Destiny. And we need YOU to help us send out 2025 with a bang. 🥂🎊
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
What is Gov. Bob Ferguson's Plan A to backfill the state's budget gap? Sink the budget knife into everyone but the ultra-rich. 🔪💵
The 1st-term Democrat's given the cold shoulder to tax hikes ahead of Decision '26, a wealth tax included. 🗳️
washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/ferguson-s...
The 1st-term Democrat's given the cold shoulder to tax hikes ahead of Decision '26, a wealth tax included. 🗳️
washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/ferguson-s...
Ferguson (sort of) picks a fight on the budget
Plus public records delays, more on our Re-Wire Conference, and some recommended reading
washingtonobserver.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:31 PM
What is Gov. Bob Ferguson's Plan A to backfill the state's budget gap? Sink the budget knife into everyone but the ultra-rich. 🔪💵
The 1st-term Democrat's given the cold shoulder to tax hikes ahead of Decision '26, a wealth tax included. 🗳️
washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/ferguson-s...
The 1st-term Democrat's given the cold shoulder to tax hikes ahead of Decision '26, a wealth tax included. 🗳️
washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/ferguson-s...
Reposted by Tim Gruver
This decision by OPB makes zero sense. The work that @leahsottile.bsky.social and @ryanjhaas.bsky.social have done in the two seasons of HUSH has been excellent and so important.
On the day that @opb.org CEO Rachel Smolkin posted this video, saying OPB’s funding gap of $5 million was closed, I was also told by the Chief Content Officer that Hush was canceled. Eighty percent of my income, and my health insurance - gone. I was given no reason for the cancellation. 1/x
OPB has closed this year’s $5 million budget gap created when Congress ended federal funding. Our work is not done. A strong future for free and fair journalism requires your support.
https://www.opb.org/pressroom/presidents-update-funding-cut-update-building-trust/
https://www.opb.org/pressroom/presidents-update-funding-cut-update-building-trust/
December 4, 2025 at 12:11 AM
This decision by OPB makes zero sense. The work that @leahsottile.bsky.social and @ryanjhaas.bsky.social have done in the two seasons of HUSH has been excellent and so important.
One thing pollsters should disclose when it comes to economic sentiment is who handles finances in the household.
December 3, 2025 at 2:56 PM
One thing pollsters should disclose when it comes to economic sentiment is who handles finances in the household.
“Understand that there may be “No Kings” in Washington State - but we do have elites,” said WA state Rep. Shaun Scott, who announced a three-fold tax plan to feed the poor with the rich this week in Olympia.
December 2, 2025 at 11:43 PM
“Understand that there may be “No Kings” in Washington State - but we do have elites,” said WA state Rep. Shaun Scott, who announced a three-fold tax plan to feed the poor with the rich this week in Olympia.
Lots of George Washingtons are about to fly in Olympia where movers and shakers are looking to twist arms in the Legislature. 🏛️🤝💸
If you want to know more about the year ahead, we can fill you in at Re-Wire in Tacoma. 🏨🍷🎊 #waleg
washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/committee-...
If you want to know more about the year ahead, we can fill you in at Re-Wire in Tacoma. 🏨🍷🎊 #waleg
washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/committee-...
Committee Days in Olympia, and big checks will fly
Good stuff coming at Re-Wire, Katie Wilson's team of no rivals, Elway's sample size shrinks to zero, child welfare woes, a big vacancy opens in Bellingham, and an introduction.
washingtonobserver.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Lots of George Washingtons are about to fly in Olympia where movers and shakers are looking to twist arms in the Legislature. 🏛️🤝💸
If you want to know more about the year ahead, we can fill you in at Re-Wire in Tacoma. 🏨🍷🎊 #waleg
washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/committee-...
If you want to know more about the year ahead, we can fill you in at Re-Wire in Tacoma. 🏨🍷🎊 #waleg
washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/committee-...
Hamnet tells an alternate history of an England where Shakespeare found a good nail clipper.
November 30, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Hamnet tells an alternate history of an England where Shakespeare found a good nail clipper.
Reposted by Tim Gruver
Imagine posing for a photographer friend who sells your image to iStock and a year later, you see this is what The Washington Post has done with the image of you walking on a beautiful fall day
November 29, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Imagine posing for a photographer friend who sells your image to iStock and a year later, you see this is what The Washington Post has done with the image of you walking on a beautiful fall day
Reposted by Tim Gruver
France on Thursday announced the creation of a paid, voluntary military service for young adults, becoming the latest European country to begin beefing up its armed forces in the face of perceived threats from Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Here's what to know.
Here's what to know.
France Creates Voluntary Military Service as Europe Faces Russian Threat
The effort is aimed at young people and came after an army chief angered many by saying the country must accept the possible loss of children in a future war.
nyti.ms
November 27, 2025 at 7:55 PM
France on Thursday announced the creation of a paid, voluntary military service for young adults, becoming the latest European country to begin beefing up its armed forces in the face of perceived threats from Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Here's what to know.
Here's what to know.
Reposted by Tim Gruver
ICE agents arrested the former fiancée of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s brother. She’s in a Louisiana detention center fighting deportation to her native Brazil. https://wapo.st/3Kn08K2
November 27, 2025 at 3:00 AM
ICE agents arrested the former fiancée of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s brother. She’s in a Louisiana detention center fighting deportation to her native Brazil. https://wapo.st/3Kn08K2
Reposted by Tim Gruver
Oregon's Attorney General and Portland area DAs just told the feds they'll prosecute excessive force by federal agents in the state—citing evidence from the trial that shut down Trump's National Guard plan for Portland.
Oregon to Feds: Rein in Your Officers or We'll Prosecute
Prosecutors in Oregon are warning the US justice department to rein in federal agents who’ve repeatedly used excessive force on protesters, immigrants and even local police. A joint letter from Oregon...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Oregon's Attorney General and Portland area DAs just told the feds they'll prosecute excessive force by federal agents in the state—citing evidence from the trial that shut down Trump's National Guard plan for Portland.
A cadre of King County jailers have seen their jobs go up in flames thanks to an immigration loophole. 📜🏛️
State lawmakers are scrambling to close it as the Trump adminstration wages war on green card holders.
washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/a-weird-d-...
State lawmakers are scrambling to close it as the Trump adminstration wages war on green card holders.
washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/a-weird-d-...
A weird D-on-D fight over immigration
Big labor and housing plans, Supreme Court justices for life, folly ferries, Katie Wilson's inside game. And it's not too late to sign up for Re-Wire.
washingtonobserver.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:52 PM
A cadre of King County jailers have seen their jobs go up in flames thanks to an immigration loophole. 📜🏛️
State lawmakers are scrambling to close it as the Trump adminstration wages war on green card holders.
washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/a-weird-d-...
State lawmakers are scrambling to close it as the Trump adminstration wages war on green card holders.
washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/a-weird-d-...
None of this had to happen. *gestures broadly at state of planet earth*
November 25, 2025 at 5:34 AM
None of this had to happen. *gestures broadly at state of planet earth*
Our fair state welcomed a new Supreme this morning. WA Gov. Bob Ferguson appointed Colleen Melody to the high court this week in light of justice Mary Yu’s retirement.
She helped block Trump’s 2017 Muslim travel ban as the leader of then-state Attorney General Ferguson’s Civil Rights Division.
She helped block Trump’s 2017 Muslim travel ban as the leader of then-state Attorney General Ferguson’s Civil Rights Division.
November 24, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Our fair state welcomed a new Supreme this morning. WA Gov. Bob Ferguson appointed Colleen Melody to the high court this week in light of justice Mary Yu’s retirement.
She helped block Trump’s 2017 Muslim travel ban as the leader of then-state Attorney General Ferguson’s Civil Rights Division.
She helped block Trump’s 2017 Muslim travel ban as the leader of then-state Attorney General Ferguson’s Civil Rights Division.
This week, the U.S. House of Representatives decided to vote on denouncing the “horrors of socialism” with your time and money.
So how did WA’s reps vote?
So how did WA’s reps vote?
November 22, 2025 at 9:53 PM
This week, the U.S. House of Representatives decided to vote on denouncing the “horrors of socialism” with your time and money.
So how did WA’s reps vote?
So how did WA’s reps vote?
Washingtonians shelled out millions for the kids who got hurt in the state's custody. There's no signs the costs are going to fall anytime soon. 👨👩👧👦
The state amounts to a very bad parent, on paper and in practice. 💸 #waleg
washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/what-to-do...
The state amounts to a very bad parent, on paper and in practice. 💸 #waleg
washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/what-to-do...
What to do about that $3B liability bomb
Cloudy days for the Sunshine Committee, a zero-job economic forecast, how not to handle succession planning, the revolving door spins, and a Re-Wire reminder.
washingtonobserver.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Washingtonians shelled out millions for the kids who got hurt in the state's custody. There's no signs the costs are going to fall anytime soon. 👨👩👧👦
The state amounts to a very bad parent, on paper and in practice. 💸 #waleg
washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/what-to-do...
The state amounts to a very bad parent, on paper and in practice. 💸 #waleg
washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/what-to-do...
NEWS: The WA State Department of Enterprise Services estimates the Oct. 5 vandalism at the Legislative Building will cost taxpayers up to $914K.
November 21, 2025 at 1:00 AM
NEWS: The WA State Department of Enterprise Services estimates the Oct. 5 vandalism at the Legislative Building will cost taxpayers up to $914K.
The only rule of thumb for recessions seems to be akin to a horror movie monster: they appear when the conventional wisdom says they can’t.
November 21, 2025 at 12:23 AM
The only rule of thumb for recessions seems to be akin to a horror movie monster: they appear when the conventional wisdom says they can’t.
Oh, to hear a Californian wonder aloud in Washington, “I thought Moses Lake was a neighborhood in Tacoma.”
November 20, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Oh, to hear a Californian wonder aloud in Washington, “I thought Moses Lake was a neighborhood in Tacoma.”
Is “Department of Justice” going to be a name that sticks?
November 20, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Is “Department of Justice” going to be a name that sticks?
Every writer writing semicolons in 2025.
November 20, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Every writer writing semicolons in 2025.
Reposted by Tim Gruver
Breaking news: The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to compel the release of the Epstein files. The bill will now go to the Senate.
House votes overwhelmingly to compel release of Jeffrey Epstein files
The move sends the legislation to the Senate, where pressure is growing to make the Justice Department release more documents.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Breaking news: The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to compel the release of the Epstein files. The bill will now go to the Senate.