Part 11/12:
Washington’s current trajectory bears eerie resemblance to California’s exodus phenomena—fewer people and businesses opting to stay or move into the state amid rising costs and regulatory burdens. While Washington still boasts natural beauty and some economic resilience, the declining trends in employment, real estate, and investment threaten to accelerate if policies remain unchanged.
The ongoing fiscal strain, rising costs, and regulatory overreach serve as cautionary tales about the long-term sustainability of state-led economic models that lean heavily on taxation and overregulation. Without significant policy shifts, Washington risks becoming a cautionary example of how a region can deteriorate if proactive measures are not undertaken.