The Tragic Failure Behind the Lawrence Reed / Bethany MaGee Case

The System Failed  And an Innocent Woman Paid the Price

The Tragic Case of Bethany MaGee / Lawrence Reed and Why We Need To Change Civil Commitment Laws 

 When violent repeat offenders are allowed to roam freely despite years of warning signs, innocent people are left feeling like they are playing Russian roulette just to get to work. We have to bring back asylums . We have to change civil commitment laws . A few months after a woman was randomly stabbed in the neck and died on a train in North Carolina. Now we have a woman that was randomly set on fire on a train in Chicago. On November 17, 2025, Chicago saw one of the most horrific acts of random violence in recent memory. Bethany MaGee a 26-year-old woman was riding the CTA Blue Line when a man Lawrence Reed. Poured gasoline on her and set her on fire. She was left fighting for her life.  As shocking as this attack was, it should not have been a surprise. It was the predictable result of a system that ignored every warning sign for decades.This case is a clear example of why America urgently needs a new approach to mental health, violent repeat offenders, and public safety.

A 30-Year History of Violence That the System Ignored

Public records show Reed has been arrested over 72 times since the mid 1990s. Many of his attacks were random and unprovoked:

• Punching strangers near libraries and transit stations
• Assaulting people at bus and train stops
• Setting fires, including a major arson attack on the Thompson Center
• Attacking a social worker in a psychiatric and behavioral health unit
• Making erratic, delusional statements in court

Despite this long, violent history, Reed was repeatedly released back onto the streets again and again until tragedy finally struck.

This is not a policing issue.

It is not a partisan issue.

This is a system failure.

Mental Health Red Flags the System Chose to Ignore

There are several undeniable indicators that something was seriously wrong:

• He was sentenced to two years of mental health probation after a 2020 arson case.
• He assaulted staff inside a hospital psychiatric unit in 2025.
• His court behavior was disorganized and irrational.
• Many of his attacks had no motive just sudden violence against strangers.

These are exactly the types of warning signs that our system refuses to act on until after a tragedy occurs. And innocent people pay the price.

The Real Problem: A System That Can’t Intervene Until It’s Too Late

Most states including Washington have civil commitment laws that make intervention nearly impossible until someone is:

• an imminent threat, or
• already causing serious harm.

In practice, that means people like Reed are left untreated until they hurt someone.At the same time, courts release violent offenders with:

• probation
• supervision
• or immediate release
  even when the person has a documented history of dangerous, irrational behavior.

This deadly combination has created a public safety crisis in cities across America.

How My Plan Would Prevent Cases Like This

My campaign is advancing the Homeless Recovery and Rehabilitation Act (HRRA) and the State Mental Health Restoration and Oversight Act. These proposals would:

1. Allow earlier intervention for people showing long patterns of dangerous behavior

No more waiting until a violent attack occurs.

2. Build secure, long-term treatment facilities

Humane, professional, structured environments not jails and not the streets.

3. Create a modern legal framework for repeat violent offenders with mental health histories

So courts can act before someone is killed or seriously injured.

4. Protect the public while helping people who clearly cannot live safely on their own.

This is compassionate.

This is necessary.

This is common sense.

A System That Protects No One Helps No One

The CTA attack could have been prevented.

The warning signs were all there.

The system simply refused to act.

How many more tragedies will it take before leaders admit that what we’re doing is not working?

America needs a mental health and public safety system that intervenes before disaster. Not after it. This campaign is committed to building that system. Because no family should have to suffer like the family of Bethany MaGee . And no community should have to live in fear because the government refuses to deal with reality.

There is always a lot of shock and anger. Every time a case like this happens.  A lot of angry keyboard warriors calling for the death of Reed. Zero chance of that happening. He might not even be deemed mentally competent to go to trial. And they are thousands of people just like him. But let’s say they put him on trial next week. Let’s say he is convicted and put to death . And it is shown on national television. It will do nothing to stop the thousands of others from attacking people. If the system is not changed. They will be no justice. Let’s not wait until the next innocent person loses their life. Some people say they don’t want to spend money to build asylums. Some people say they don’t want to pay to feed and house these people. But that’s exactly what happening now. We just want until after they take an innocent life. Then we pay to feed and house them in prison.Let’s make the death of Bethany MaGee be the wake up call this country needs. The truth is the entire nation is responsible for the death of Bethany MaGee . And what happened to her will keep happening to innocent people. Until we do what is necessary to stop it from happening.

Kincaid to Chinatown, Japantown, Little Saigon: We Hear You

 

Chinatown, Japantown, and Little Saigon Deserve Better

The historic neighborhoods of Chinatown, Japantown, and Little Saigon are not part of Washington’s 1st Congressional District. They  belong to District 7, represented by Pramila Jayapal since 2017. Many of the families and business owners there are immigrants or children of immigrants who followed the legal immigration process and built their lives through hard work and resilience.

Yet these communities have been forced to bear the brunt of Seattle’s ongoing drug, crime, and homelessness crisis. Despite years of pleas, the mayor and city council have offered little meaningful action. With the new administration in Seattle, many fear conditions will only continue to worsen.

Representative Jayapal has been more focused on pushing national ideological agendas. Including her support for the Housing Not Handcuffs Act, which would make it even harder for cities to address chronic street disorder than on helping the people of Chinatown, Japantown, and Little Saigon. These hardworking communities deserve better than policies that ignore reality and make progress impossible.

To the people of these neighborhoods. Kincaid sees you and hears you. I will stand with you and fight for you. You have endured the consequences of failed leadership for far too long. Year after year, you’ve been handed nothing but empty promises.

It’s time for accountability and real results.

Kincaid’s Strategy to End Homelessness

For decades, we’ve seen government agencies from HUD to city and county programs. Spend billions of dollars to fight homelessness. But despite the money and the promises, the problem keeps getting worse. Why? Because most of our current programs are built on theories that don’t work in reality. In theory, if you have a thousand homeless people, you build a thousand housing units, problem solved.

In reality it doesn’t work that way. Some people are struggling with addiction. Others have untreated mental illness. And others simply can’t afford rent in an overpriced market. You cannot put all three groups under one roof and expect stability or safety.

Look at programs like Plymouth Housing. Their hearts may be in the right place, but the results tell the truth. Police and fire are called there constantly. For overdoses, assaults, and mental health crises. It’s not compassion to ignore that. It’s negligence.

We need a new approach. One that separates by cause, not by convenience. For those struggling with addiction, we need long term, secure rehab centers, isolated from drug access. Where recovery takes months not days. After that we can transition them into supportive housing where they continue to get treatment and counseling.

For those with severe mental illness, we need permanent care facilities again. Decades ago, the government shut them all down. Now our streets have become the new institutions. Yes, the old system was broken and inhumane. But today, we have the technology, transparency, and public oversight to do it right.

Every facility should be subject to regular inspections. Not just by government, but by the media, religious organizations, and community volunteers. When care falls short, the public will know immediately.

And for those who are simply down on their luck, we can provide short term housing, job training, and rent support. For up to a year with the goal of getting them back into the workforce and off government dependency.

Homelessness is not one problem with one solution. It is three separate crises that require three separate responses addiction, mental illness, and economic hardship.

If we face each one honestly, with compassion and accountability, we can begin to rebuild lives, restore safety, and reclaim our public spaces.

That’s the future I’m fighting for . One where compassion is real, accountability is firm, and taxpayers finally see results . Do you remember the he man that stabbed Iryna Zarutska in the neck. And killed her on the train in North Carolina. Decarlos Brown Jr. has history of mental illness. Long criminal history. Was homeless at the time of the attack. Instead of dumping dangerous people on the streets. The legislation I am proposing would place them in psychiatric facilities . This is the only way to prevent this from happening again. Everyone from Elon Musk to Trump is now calling for the death penalty for someone who clearly has severe mental illness. In this case. My strategy would have saved 2 lives . This strategy protects public safety. It protects people from being randomly attacked. By homeless people will serve mental illness. And it also protects the homeless. Every day across America. Many homeless women will mental illness. Are sexually assaulted over and over again. These crimes not reported. The victims are not able to. Not just talking about guy attacking someone. This is big organized crime. Human trafficking. These woman are sold over and over again.

“The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” – Mahatma Gandhi .  

Link-Streets are the new asylums

The Homeless Recovery and Rehabilitation Act (HRRA)

Rough draft of legislation 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the “Homeless Recovery and Rehabilitation Act of 2027.”

SECTION 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE

(a) Congressional Findings 

Congress finds that:

1. Federal, state, and local homelessness programs have failed to produce measurable reductions in homelessness despite unprecedented funding.

2. The current “housing-first” model does not adequately address addiction and severe mental illness, which together account for a majority of chronic homelessness.

3. Reestablishing secure, medically supervised treatment and mental health facilities operating under modern oversight can restore lives and reduce community harm.

4. Compassion and accountability are not mutually exclusive they are both essential to achieving lasting recovery.

(b) Purpose 

The purpose of this Act is to:

1. Classify homelessness by primary cause addiction, mental illness, or economic hardship.

2. Create a national framework for treatment based recovery programs.

3. Establish standards for long term mental health and rehabilitation facilities.

4. Require transparency, inspection, and performance based funding for all homelessness programs receiving federal funds.

SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Act:

• “Rehabilitation Campus” means a secure, long term residential facility designed to treat substance addiction for a period of 9–12 months or longer.

• “Mental Health Care Facility” means a licensed, long term treatment facility for individuals with severe or chronic mental illness who cannot safely live independently.

• “Economic Assistance Program” means a short term housing or rental assistance program designed to restore financial stability and workforce participation.

• “Qualified Oversight Entity” means an organization approved by HUD and HHS that includes representatives from media, religious, and community organizations.

SECTION 4. SEPARATION BY CAUSE

(a) Classification Requirement — All federal homelessness programs shall categorize participants by primary cause at intake (addiction, mental illness, or economic hardship) for appropriate placement.

(b) Facility Placement 

• Individuals with addiction shall be referred to secure rehabilitation campuses.

• Individuals with severe mental illness shall be referred to long term mental health care facilities.

• Individuals experiencing economic hardship shall be referred to short term housing and workforce programs.

SECTION 5. REHABILITATION AND MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY STANDARDS

(a) Creation of Facilities 

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall work with state and local governments to:

1. Reopen or construct modern, humane, federally licensed rehabilitation and mental health facilities.

2. Ensure security, transparency, and public oversight through mandatory quarterly inspections.

3. Require that facilities be located in industrial or low impact zones, not within 1,000 feet of residential neighborhoods or schools.

(b) Oversight 

Each facility shall:

• Be inspected at least once every 90 days by a Qualified Oversight Entity.

• Publish results of inspections and outcomes (overdose rates, employment placement, relapse rates, etc.) on a public dashboard.

SECTION 6. FUNDING AND PERFORMANCE ACCOUNTABILITY

(a) Funding Sources 

Reallocate a portion of existing HUD Continuum of Care and HHS block grant funds to support qualified facilities and programs.

(b) Performance-Based Funding 

Federal funding shall be contingent upon measurable outcomes, including:

1. Reduction in relapse or overdose rates.

2. Increase in successful program completions and employment placements.

3. Reduction in repeat homelessness.

(c) Matching Grants 

States that construct or operate compliant facilities shall be eligible for a 75% federal cost match for facility construction and operation.

SECTION 7. NATIONAL HOMELESS OVERSIGHT BOARD

(a) Establishment 

There is hereby established the National Homeless Oversight Board (NHOB) within HUD.

(b) Membership 

The Board shall include:

1. Representatives from HUD, HHS, and DOJ.

2. At least three members from public charities, religious organizations, or nonprofit treatment providers.

3. Two members representing law enforcement and emergency services.

(c) Duties 

The Board shall:

• Monitor compliance with facility standards.

• Maintain the national performance dashboard.

• Recommend funding adjustments based on verified results.

SECTION 8. PROHIBITIONS

No federal funds shall be used to support facilities or programs that:

1. Allow ongoing illegal drug use without mandatory treatment.

2. Fail to meet quarterly inspection or reporting requirements.

3. Fail to provide secure access control, medical supervision, and on site counseling.

SECTION 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out this Act, with initial funding not to exceed $5 billion annually for fiscal years 2027–2031.

SECTION 10. EFFECTIVE DATE

This Act shall take effect 180 days after enactment.

For some of this to happen. The state of Washington and every other state. Would need to change or update their civil commitment laws . Below is a rough draft of what that might look like.

Model State Bill

The State Mental Health Restoration and Oversight Act

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the “State Mental Health Restoration and Oversight Act.”

SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS

The Legislature finds that:

1. The closure of state operated long term mental health hospitals has left thousands of severely mentally ill individuals without adequate care or supervision.

2. Many individuals with chronic, untreated mental illness now live in unsafe conditions on the streets or in jails, creating harm to themselves and the public.

3. Advances in medical treatment, facility design, and public oversight make it possible to provide humane, transparent, and accountable long term care.

4. It is the policy of this State to reestablish secure, medically supervised facilities for those whose conditions make independent living unsafe or impossible.

SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Act:

• “Severe Mental Illness” means a chronic or acute psychiatric condition that substantially impairs a person’s ability to provide for their own basic needs or results in repeated endangerment to self or others.

• “Long-Term Mental Health Facility” means a licensed and accredited inpatient facility providing continuous care, treatment, and supervision for individuals with severe mental illness.

• “Involuntary Commitment” means a judicial order for placement in a long-term facility after due process and medical evaluation.

• “Qualified Oversight Entity” means a nonprofit or governmental body authorized by the State Department of Health to conduct inspections and report publicly.

SECTION 4. AUTHORIZATION OF LONG TERM FACILITIES

(a) The State Department of Health, in coordination with the Department of Social and Health Services, is authorized to:

1. Construct, reopen, or license long-term mental health care facilities.

2. Contract with qualified nonprofit or private operators that meet all licensing and oversight requirements.

3. Locate such facilities in industrial, medical, or low density zones to minimize community impact.

(b) Each facility must provide:

• 24-hour medical and psychiatric care.

• Secure access control and on site supervision.

• Rehabilitation, occupational, and therapeutic services.

• Periodic evaluation for patient progress and potential discharge.

SECTION 5. INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT AND DUE PROCESS

(a) A person may be ordered into long term treatment if:

1. Two licensed psychiatrists or psychologists certify that the person suffers from severe mental illness and cannot safely live independently, or poses a recurring danger to self or others.

2. A superior court judge finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that long term treatment is necessary.

(b) Commitment orders shall be reviewed:

• Every 6 months for medical reassessment.

• Every 12 months for judicial review of continued placement.

(c) Patients shall have the right to legal representation, medical review, and family visitation.

SECTION 6. OVERSIGHT AND TRANSPARENCY

1. Every facility shall be inspected at least once every 90 days by a Qualified Oversight Entity.

2. Inspection reports shall be publicly available online within 30 days.

3. Oversight entities may include representatives from health departments, licensed nonprofits, religious charities, and local news media.

4. Abuse or neglect shall be immediately reported to the Attorney General and made public within 72 hours.

SECTION 7. FUNDING

1. The State may receive federal funds under the Homeless Recovery and Rehabilitation Act (HRRA) or other federal programs to construct and operate such facilities.

2. Facilities shall be eligible for up to 75% federal cost matching.

3. The Legislature may appropriate additional funds for staffing, medical supplies, and transportation.

SECTION 8. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The Department of Health shall submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature detailing:

• Number of individuals served.

• Recovery outcomes and discharge rates.

• Complaints, violations, and corrective actions.

• Fiscal expenditures and cost per patient.

SECTION 9. SEVERABILITY

If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the remaining sections shall remain in effect.

SECTION 10. EFFECTIVE DATE

This Act shall take effect 90 days after enactment.

Statement from Kincaid: To the people of Bellevue’s Eastgate neighborhood regarding the homeless shelters

Before we are able to solve the problem. It is important to know how the problem was created . Did the people of Bellevue  want , ask for or vote for a homeless shelters in Eastgate ? So how did this happen. A Cabal , the ruling class. A group of people that believe  they are superior to everyone else. King County , Bellevue, Kirkland and Redmond.  Got together and made an agreement to do this. Important to know that this agreement was not  legally binding . Bellevue was not legally required to do this.  They made agreement for  Bellevue ,Kirkland and Redmond to have homeless facilities that would be run by Plymouth Housing. It did not matter what the people said. The facilities were going to be built. The public hearings , the Bellevue City Council vote. It was all just for show. They was very strong opposition to the Eastgate location. 

To the people of the Eastgate community and the rest of Bellevue. I see you, and I hear your concerns. If elected to Congress in 2026, I will do everything within my power to advocate for a better solution regarding the homeless shelters currently located here.

I want to be clear. I will not have the direct authority to shut or move these shelters down at the federal level. The only ones able to do that is the Bellevue City Council.  I will strongly advocate with the Bellevue City Council to relocate them. In my view, the current siting has created serious public safety concerns with incidents of crime in the surrounding area, including at Bellevue College. Keeping the shelters in this location permanently is not a viable option.

More police patrols or surface level fixes will not solve the problem. The real solution and the only solution is to move the shelters to a more appropriate location. Where services can continue but without putting residential neighborhoods and places like Bellevue College at risk.

So where in Bellevue would be a good permanent location for the homeless shelter?  There is no good location currently in the city of Bellevue. The solution, create one by annexation. One possible new location for the homeless shelters.  Are areas near SE Cougar Mountain Dr . That are already in the process for annexation. If the area doesn’t have bus service. It could be added. The idea for the homeless shelters came from King Country and Bellevue City Council. So they should be able to work together on annexation of any location.

As I said before , moving the homeless shelters is the only solution . But moving will take time. So want to do until that happens. The shelter is low barrier. The Bellevue City Council does have the power to change that. Search people for drugs when they enter. Drug test people. Fingerprint people that don't have ID. The City can do that. King Country wanted a low barrier shelter. The funding from King Country , the State, and HUD. Places a priority on low barrier shelter. They might threaten to pull funding. I don't think they will. But if they do. It might lead to a shut down. Which is another way to solve the problem. There is one more thing the City can do. They can replace Plymouth Housing with another group. But they might need the  ok  from King Country to  that.

I will also work to explore whether federal resources can be redirected to support such a relocation. My commitment is to ensure safety, protect our neighborhoods, and still provide compassionate, responsible shelter for those in need.

It is time for the Bellevue City Council to acknowledge they made a mistake. The shelters should have never been allowed in that location. Bellevue City Council does not have the right to disrupt the lives of the people that live in the area. It is way past time for the City Council to do the right thing. They need to declare Plymouth Crossing and PorchLight to be a public nuisance . And have them move to a location that creates less of a danger to the public.  This is clearly the best option for public safety. I also believe this is the best option for future of the shelters. A special zone can be created. Additional resources can be added at the new location. Something can be created that would truly help the homeless people. Right now the homeless people are not being truly helped. Just look at the level of 911 calls. Look at the numbers of people overdosing there. Right now it’s just providing an indoor place for people to use drugs.  The hard working people. They live, work and go to school in the East Gate area. Should not have to have their lives disrupted. For a shelter they doesn’t really help people. The bottom line is. The shelters can not stay at current location. They have to be moved. The people that live in the East Gate area of Bellevue. Put their trust in the City Council to do right by them. Unfortunately that trust was misplaced . The time to ask politely and patiently wait for the City Council to do the right thing is over. It is time for people to demand the people on the City Council do their jobs. And protect public safety. 

The shelters are funded by a mix of different sources. Some of the funding is local, county and federal.  I have looked at everything. The only ones with the power to shut the shelters down or have them move is the Bellevue City Council. I don’t see them trying to shut it down. Having the shelters moved is the only possibility. By providing some of the funding. And by having the power to declare the shelters to be a public nuisance. They could force the shelters to move to another location. But right now they have no intentions of doing that. The people of Bellevue will have to scream loud enough. To make them do their jobs and protect people safety. 

As I said before. If I am elected to Congress in 2026. I will not have direct control. I will not be able to order the shelters to be shut down or moved. However, they might be ways to strongly encourage the shelters to move. With getting some of it’s funding from the federal government. There is a lot of red tape. Many regulations that have to follow from agencies like HUD and the IRS. I will put everything under a microscope. If they are any violations. I will find it. I will also seek any available federal funding to helping them move to another location. And to help build a much better shelter. I will be there for good hard working  people of Bellevue , Redmond and all of District 1. I will always stand by you and fight for you. I will now only focus on the people in District 1. I will do my best to help the people in the Chinatown area of Seattle. And everyone else in the state of Washington.

Video 1- audio of a 911 call. A homeless man reported that he was raped by another homeless man. Near the homeless shelter  in Bellevue . In this case the victim was another homeless man. Next time it could be a resident from the community . A child or a student from Bellevue College .

Video 2- In August just outside of the homeless shelter in Bellevue. A home man was killed by another homeless man. The homeless killer  was caught in Portland.

Video 3 - New homeless shelter in Redmond. 

Video 4- Inrix CEO confirms the public meetings were just for show. King County and Kirkland City Council made the decision. Did not matter what the people of Kirkland wanted. The public meetings were just put on for show. To give the people of Kirkland the illusion their voices matter to them. It’s the same thing that happened with Bellevue and Redmond .

Links- 

• JOINT LETTER OF AGREEMENT between KING COUNTY and THE CITY OF Bellevue 

Kincaid’s statement on Microsoft job cuts

A few words on the recent Microsoft job cuts. Back in the old days, as they say, if you spoke out against a major employer, people would warn you,“Be careful this is a company town.” Well, Washington today is essentially a company state. Taking on Microsoft head on would be political suicide. Let me be clear. I am not attacking Microsoft, and I am not trying to start a war with them. But I do think it’s worth re-examining some of their decisions.

For example, Microsoft has spent roughly $170 billion on stock buybacks over the past 10 years. That’s not unusual for large corporations, but instead of artificially inflating its own share price, some of that money could have been used for real investments investments in people, in innovation, in the communities that make Microsoft possible.

We should also re-examine the H-1B visa program. Companies claim America doesn’t have enough skilled workers to fill key roles. Others say we do, but that companies prefer to hire from overseas because many H-1B workers will accept lower pay. Data shows most H-1B workers are paid less than their U.S. counterparts. We could reduce the number of H-1B visas, or at least require that these workers be paid the exact same rates as domestic employees doing the same work.

The truth is, the layoffs we see today are small compared to what’s coming. Artificial intelligence will bring massive job losses in the years ahead. That’s not science fiction it’s reality. We can’t stop it, but we can prepare for it. That means re-examining everything now.

Imagine if even a fraction of that $170 billion in buybacks had been set aside to help employees transition into new careers fields like healthcare, clean energy, or advanced manufacturing. We should be investing in people, not just in share prices. That’s how we build a future that works for everyone, not just for Wall Street.

If I run. And if I win the election for Congress in 2026. I will be a politician that is not owned by the mega corporations. As God as my witness. I will always look out for the interests of the people.

We are in a crisis. For decades, recent college graduates typically enjoyed lower unemployment rates than the overall working age population. But that is no longer the case. Since late 2018, the trend has reversed and in recent years, the unemployment rate for recent graduates has consistently been higher than the national average. In March 2025, recent graduates faced a 5.8% unemployment rate, compared to 4.0% nationally. This isn’t just a rough patch it’s a warning sign. The struggle is real, and the path ahead points not toward improvement, but toward worsening conditions. Why is this happening? It’s the result of several converging forces. Artificial intelligence, automation, robotics and yes, the influx of foreign labor. These are facts. And we can choose to deal with them or ignore them. Today, people you’d never expect to struggle are juggling gig jobs just to stay afloat. Driving for Uber by day, delivering food by night . All in an effort to survive. We can’t sit back and watch this continue. We need policies that protect American jobs, invest in innovation without abandoning workers, and ensure that higher education leads to real opportunity not underemployment. We must prepare for a future where technology works for us, not against us, and where our own citizens are first in line for the jobs their tax dollars help create. This is not about politics. It’s about fairness, opportunity, and survival for the American middle class. My tax reform plan and immigration policy are key components of a larger vision to build a stronger future for all Americans. It is the responsibility of every generation. To build a better future for the next generation. Unfortunately it seems that America has stopped doing that. We are on the wrong path. The time for a major course correction is now. Not addressing these issues. Lead to Trump and the Republicans controling the government. If the Democratic Party does not start to address these issues now. It will lead to Vice President JD Vance becoming President in 4 years.

Microsoft reported over $100 billion in profit in fiscal year 2024. This places it among the most profitable companies in America. And now it’s cutting jobs of the people that were key to its success. It happens. It’s business. But the company is obviously not struggling to survive. So does the company or CEO need any tax breaks. Do they really need to keep spending billions in stock buybacks? Something that used to be illegal.  

Link - discuss this on Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/redmond/s/UnS7et0Onj

The good news is that Seattle and its surrounding communities are not out of options. Government agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is boosting tech salaries and creating hub offices in tech centers such as Seattle, are looking for talent in software engineering, IT modernization, and program leadership. At the same time, private firms including Apple in South Lake Union, Zoom in Bellevue, OpenAI, Snowflake, and even Lowe’s tech hub in Kirkland are actively growing and recruiting ex-Microsoft engineers, product managers, program managers, and legal professionals. On the global front, companies like ByteDance (TikTok), Shopify, Aircall, and Gorilla Technology Group are expanding their U.S. operations, especially in Bellevue, opening roles in cloud and AI development, product leadership, sales, and compliance. These emerging opportunities show that while one giant company cuts jobs, many others are creating them providing a path forward for workers with the skills Washington helped cultivate.