Sign up to receive our Daily E-Clips on our subscription page.
Click here for our Daily E-Clips policy.
Tuesday, Jan 13
Associated Press
US job openings jump to 14-year high; sign of strong hiring
Boeing deliveries beat Airbus for 3rd straight year
State proposes water-quality rule tied to fish consumption
Senate vote requires higher threshold for new taxes (Sullivan, Hobbs, Billig)
Obama: Stronger ID theft laws needed
Bainbridge Island Review
K-12: Expensive focus of 2015 legislative debates
Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Climate change, taxes divide Whatcom senators, rest of Legislature along party lines (Lytton, Morris, Ranker)
Ericksen tax-vote move wins; Inslee carbon, capital-gains taxes already DOA? (Frockt)
Senate Republicans pass two-thirds rule on first day of session (Frockt)
Bothell Reporter
Another shot at pot: Lawmakers prepare marijuana follow-up bills (Nelson, Kohl-Welles, Hatfield, Appleton, Fitzgibbon)
Central Kitsap Reporter
House Republicans want education budget separate from General Fund spending plan (Hunter)
Columbian
Washington Senate approves curb on new taxes (Cleveland)
Port of Vancouver set to OK deal with Northwest Packing
Ecology releases draft ‘fish consumption rule’
In Our View: Roads Need Attention
The Daily News
Legislature to convene Monday; local lawmakers weigh in on challenges (Blake, Takko, Hatfield)
Editorial: Playing politics with road, rail needs
Everett Herald (subscription required)
Transportation package tops wish list in Olympia (Kagi, Dunshee, Stanford, Hobbs)
Boeing may reap millions in Missouri subsidies
A new session begins with old debate and fish consumption
Editorial: A way to protect health and jobs (State’s fish consumption rule)
Federal Way Mirror
House Republicans want education budget separate from General Fund spending plan (Hunter)
Food Safety News
‘Ag-Gag’ Bill Introduced in the Washington State Legislature (Blake)
Kirkland Reporter
Opinion: Taxes a big factor in Legislature’s agenda
News Tribune (subscription required)
Democrats help Republican Sen. Pam Roach unseat a Democrat
Pierce County judge: State can’t ban doctors from advertising marijuana services
Open meetings violation question back in court Friday
Senate Republicans pass two-thirds rule on first day of session (Frockt)
Free 2-year college: Great deal for students, public
Olympian (subscription required)
Senate Republicans pass two-thirds rule on first day of session (Frockt)
Democrats help Republican Sen. Pam Roach unseat a Democrat
Editorial: Budget complicated, but not these 6 bills
Peninsula Daily News
Researchers wait for answers amid mysterious mass seabird die-off in region
Puget Sound Business Journal
WSDOT calls memo warning Bertha pit could be ‘catastrophic failure’ a miscommunication
Democrats’ middle-class tax cut punishes investors, highly paid CEOs
Small businesses haven’t felt this good since 2006
Washington State University wants $61M from Legislature for new Everett building
Redmond Reporter
Attorney General calls for Legislature to enhance data security law to protect consumers (Hudgins)
Seattle Times (subscription required)
City to bankroll own study of tunnel stress on viaduct
Senate Republicans add big hurdle for new taxes (Carlyle, Frockt)
In twist, Democrats elevate GOP state Sen. Pam Roach to leadership (Chase)
Want more kids in college? Check school counselor caseloads
Editorial: Early education’s promise needs funding
Guest Opinion: State lawmakers have to get it right on funding education
Spokesman Review
GOP rule makes passage of new taxes tougher (Hargrove, Billig)
Bill would expand wine tasting law to include four-year colleges
Spokane City Council passes law prohibiting blocking driveway traffic
Editorial: State needs to restore local share of liquor tax
Tri-City Herald
Backyard Tri-City poultry, waterfowl checked for avian flu
Editorial: New state tax measure need a chance for debate
Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Editorial: Two-thirds majority for tax hikes is unconstitutional
Yakima Herald Republic
Newhouse adds former lobbyist, others to staff
State ups rate of fish consumption in proposed water quality rule
Yakima County jail nears end of nearly $6 million security upgrade
BROADCAST
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Key lawmakers want gas tax, not ‘cap-and-trade’ (Clibborn,
WSDOT, city square off over Bertha pit ‘catastrophic failure’ report
Smart 911 growing in Puget Sound popularity
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Inslee sees short-term gridlock after Senate requires two-thirds vote to pass new taxes
Outspoken Republican Pam Roach elected president pro tem of Wash. State Senate
KPLU FM
Economist Dick Conway Says Washington’s Tax System Is The Worst In The Country
Inslee Pushes Toxics Reduction Bill As Wash. Proposes Updated Fish Consumption Rate
Washington Senate Opens With Democratic Insurgency
Washington Senate Adopts Two-Thirds Rule For New Taxes (Billig)
Arne Duncan Wants To Drop ‘No Child Left Behind’ — But Keep Its Tests
KUOW FM
The Park And Ride Dilemma: Bus Riders Still Rely On Cars
Washington Attorney General Wades Into Immigration Lawsuit
Letter From Engineers Raises Serious Concerns About Bertha
Washington Legislature: Like 147 People Trying To Buy A House Together
MyNorthwest.com (KIRO FM)
WSDOT comes under fire for report warning of ‘catastrophic failure’ with Bertha repair pit
NW Public Radio
Washington Senate Opens With Democratic Insurgency
New Taxes Will Require Two-Thirds Vote In Washington Senate
Q13 TV (FOX)
Engineers use the words ‘catastrophic failure’, prompting city leaders to question safety of viaduct
The Seattle Channel
City: Inside/Out – 2015 Legislative Preview (Carlyle, Cody, Frockt, Hunter, Jayapal)
WEB
Capitol Record (TVW)
Senate Democrats back Pam Roach for Senate President Pro Tem (Chase, Fraser)
Washington Senate imposes two-thirds approval rule for tax increases (Frockt, Billig)
Crosscut
Senate’s 2/3rds rule could doom new taxes, Inslee carbon plan (Frockt)
The Daily Troll: ‘Catastrophic’ talk around Bertha. Missouri has plan to grow Boeing jobs. Space age production here?
Horsesass.org
More Enthusiastic Support for Early Education from the Something-for-Nothing Crowd
Is State Senator Andy Hill an Idiot, or Does He Think You Are? (Hunter)
Publicola
Questionable Seahawks Mania (Frockt)
He’s Back! Republican (Simple) Majority Passes (Super) Majority Rule for Raising New Taxes (Frockt, Billig, Hargrove)
Schmudget
Updated! FAQs About Taxing Capital Gains In Washington State
Seattle P.I.
Senate Republicans bring back Eyman-style “super majority”
Pam Roach, once booted from GOP caucus, elected state Senate president
Voters in statewide poll: Inslee is a very satisfactory guy
Slog
What We Learned at Yesterday’s City vs. State Fight Over Bertha’s Rescue Pit
Protesters Briefly Shut Down Council Meeting About Police and Bertha, Continue to Shout
The Stand
Editorial: Senate GOP moves to shield rich, corporations from taxes (Frockt, Billig, Hasegawa)
2015 Legislature: Let’s rise to the challenge!
Shippers admit congestion not workers’ fault
Washington State Wire
Editorial: 2/3’s Majority, Why? Hold The Torries (Dunshee)
Senate Imposes Two-Thirds Requirement on New Taxes
Gov. Inslee Issues Draft Fish Consumption Rule on First Day of Session
Monday, Jan 12
Associated Press
Lawmakers return for 105-day session
Mentally ill waiting in jails for treatment despite state ruling
Washington state licenses, IDs soon need to meet tougher standards
AAA: Average price of gallon of gasoline in Washington $2.37
5 things to watch in Washington Legislature (Clibborn, Nelson, Kohl-Welles)
School dollars will dominate budget debate in Olympia (Carlyle, Hunter)
Washington State University runs $13M deficit last year
Aberdeen Daily World
Volunteers from around the state gather to help flood victims
“Harbor Strong” cleanup Saturday at 9 a.m.
Local oraganizations, volunteers help with disaster relief
Clean air agency asks flood victims to practice safe, legal demolition and debris removal
Hospital officially awarded higher Medicaid reimbursement
Bainbridge Island Review
Another shot at pot: Lawmakers prepare marijuana follow-up bills
Reporting team for WNPA Olympia News Bureau announced for 2015 session (Nelson, Hatfield, Kohl-Welles, Appleton, Fitzgibbon)
Bothell Reporter
Local representatives support bill removing drug possession as a felony in Washington State (Moscoso, Farrell)
Attorney General calls for Legislature to enhance data security law to protect consumers
Central Kitsap Reporter
Op-Ed: Bills await lawmakers when session begins Jan. 12
Columbian
Sen. Cleveland proposes megaproject ‘safeguards’ (Cleveland)
2015 legislative session: Lawmakers face tough tasks (Moeller, Wylie, Cleveland)
Understanding of laws regarding e-cigarettes often hazy
In Our View: No Substitute for Experience (pensions, K-12 education)
In Our View: K-12 Will Win in Legislature
The Daily News
Electric car chargers spark little interest from Cowlitz County drivers
Centralia’s Braun in prime spot to support region
CAP seeking low-income families to participate in home ownership program
LCC president, local students react to Obama plan for free community college
Everett Herald (subscription required)
Legislative preview for 2015 (Chopp)
How to contact your state lawmakers (Moscoso, Stanford, Ortiz-Self, Peterson, Ryu, Kagi, Sells, Robinson, Dunshee, Hobbs, McCoy, Chase, Liias, McAuliffe)
Everett considers tax exemption to promote student housing
WSU looks to create a ‘gem in the community’
Ponnuru (Bloomberg): Tax reform in 2015? Not a chance, and here’s why
Schwab: We’re starting to see where GOP is going
Op-ed: Legislators wade through the ‘wild, wild west’ to fix pot laws (Nelson, Hatfield, Kohl-Welles)
Editorial: A checklist for the Legislature (Kagi)
Editorial: Taxes a big factor in Legislature’s agenda
Federal Way Mirror
Economy and transportation Federal Way’s top legislative priorities
What may distract, engage lawmakers this year
Federal Way interim superintendent delivers State of Education address
Issaquah Reporter
Goodman to chair House Public Safety Committee
The Islands’ Weekly
New year, new laws enacted
Kirkland Reporter
Rep. Larry Springer travels to discuss energy, natural resource and environmental policy issues (Springer)
Attorney General calls for Legislature to enhance data security law to protect consumers (Hudgins)
Local representatives support bill removing drug possession as a felony in Washington State (Moscoso, Farrell, Appleton, Pollet)
Maple Valley Reporter
Another shot at pot: Lawmakers prepare marijuana follow-up bills (Nelson, Hatfield, Kohl-Welles, Appleton, Fitzgibbon)
News Tribune (subscription required)
10 political clichés that should be retired in 2015
Editorial: The perfect moment to fund highway infrastructure
Olympian (subscription required)
Five drivers of the 2015 legislative session: Ed funding, transportation, new taxes, carbon, pay raises (Hunter, Sullivan, Chopp)
Beyond the budget: Debates that will help keep the session interesting (Kohl-Welles, Farrell, Chopp, Jinkins)
Editorial: State shows progress in home care training
Editorial: Take tax rebate idea seriously
Opinion: Smaller class size helps increase learning
Opinion: McCleary decision still provoking petulance
Peninsula Daily News
DNR harvesting plan a top priority for Peninsula’s legislative delegation in Olympia (Hargrove, Tharinger, Van De Wege)
Puget Sound Business Journal
House approves Keystone XL pipeline; Nebraska Supreme Court OKs route
Former governor and U.S. Senator Dan Evans to be honored in Olympia on Wednesday
Redmond Reporter
Rep. Springer returns from legislative fact-finding trip to UK (Springer)
Opinion: New taxes for Sound Transit? Now is not the time
Seattle Times (subscription required)
Crime of buying sex may carry new name and bigger penalty (Kohl-Welles)
With new costs, Legislature to debate how, whether to pay (Hunter, Hargrove)
10 issues to watch in Olympia
Lobbyists, pot, support for new taxes: your week in review
Olympia Watch: Besides money, what will lawmakers debate? (Santos, Kagi)
Danny Westneat: Free college? We’re already doing it
Editorial: 4 things the Washington Legislature should do right away (Clibborn)
Guest Opinion: Eliminate the differences between I-502 and medical marijuana law
Seattle Weekly
Can Baumgartner Really Bring Back a Two-Thirds Requirement On Tax Hikes? It Depends … (Frockt, Pedersen)
Snohomish Times
Senate considers tax rule change
Spokesman Review
Spin Control: Weighing candidates’, voters’ return on election investment (Hunter)
Spokane Public Schools extending K-6 days by 30 minutes
Spokane County drivers most likely to talk, text on road
Education, mental health among upcoming budget challenges in Olympia
Television, Internet let you track Washington Legislature
Spokane awarded grant to narrow stretch of Monroe Street
WSU runs $13 million deficit for athletics
Pro-law enforcement rally draws 100 outside Spokane courthouse
Polarized wolf groups battle with billboards
TV series features state wildlife police
Editorial: Legislatures have bigger budgets, challenges
Sunday Spin: What did they spend to get jobs as legislators?
Tri-City Herald
Education, transportation and marijuana expected to dominate upcoming state legislative session (Hunter,
Tri-Tech students develop app to help teenagers cope with stress, depression
Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Editorial: US Highway 12 progress hinges on gas-tax hike
Yakima Herald Republic
Legislature 2015: Lawmakers face budget writing battle (Hunter, Nelson, Fraser)
Education ruling a major hurdle for Legislature
Feds seek public comment on reservoir expansion
Editorial: Legislature needs to take initiative on three issues
BROADCAST
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Education likely to highlight new session in Olympia
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
5 things to watch in Washington Legislature (Nelson, Clibborn, Kohl-Welles)
KPLU FM
Gridlock Or Compromise? Divided Washington Legislature Set To Convene
House OKs Keystone XL Pipeline Despite Obama Veto Threat
Idaho Could Legalize One Form Of Medical Marijuana
KUOW FM
‘Is There a Problem?’ That Scary Brown Man And White Privilege
Releasing Suspects To Avoid Overcrowding Poses Threat, Seattle Mayor Says
‘Silver Alert’ For Seniors May Come To Washington State (Appleton)
MyNorthwest.com (KIRO FM)
Seattle seawall project heads into next phase on time, budget
WEB
Capitol Record (TVW)
Live from the Capitol: TVW’s opening day show starts 10 a.m. Monday
Crosscut
Why to brace for a wild ride in the NW economy
Olympia for Dummies (Chopp)
Gov. Inslee video: Legislators should do their job on new taxes
Publicola
Likes & Dislikes: Pete Holmes on Pot, Inslee on Electric Cars, DelBene on Wall Street, and More (Kohl-Welles)
East Side GOP Transportation Leader All in on Gas Tax
Questionable Seahawks Mania (Frockt)
Seattle P.I.
Gun backers take aim at I-594 with another Olympia rally
Slog
The Morning News: Fighting in Olympia Before the Legislative Session Even Starts
Seattle Officials Not Warned About “Catastrophic Failure” Concerns for Bertha Rescue Pit
Inslee Says He Doesn’t Think a Surface-Transit Alternative for the Viaduct Is “Viable”
The Stand
Report confronts racial inequality in our state
Washington State Wire
Two More Prefiled Cannabis Bills, Senator River’s Promised 48 Page MMJ Cleanup Up Is In (Hatfield)
The Green Sheet for Jan. 12: Back in Session (Moeller, Reykdal)
Friday, January 9
Aberdeen Daily World
“It’s such a wonder I lived through that”
Aberdeen comes through the storm
Quinault petition on oil project jurisdiction is dismissed
Associated Press
Digging resumes in pit to reach tunnel machine in Seattle
Outdoor recreation in state yields $22 billion in spending
Lawmakers debate whether new taxes needed in Washington (Chopp, Hunter)
Inslee’s pollution solution: tackle water toxics at source
Seahawks Wilson, Sherman promote health exchange
Applications for jobless aid fall again
Wind-powered buggies may be allowed on Washington beaches
107,000 pay for health insurance through Washington exchange
Free ride proposed for electric cars on Washington ferries
Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Opinion: State shows progress in home care training
Politics blog:Eyman applauds Ericksen’s two-thirds-to-raise-taxes proposal
Businessweek
How Local Politicians Scuttled a Crucial Federal Bridge Upgrade
Columbian
Inslee wants session to be productive, comprehensive (Nelson)
Price of oil fuels high job hopes
In Our View: Radon Risk Is One to Face
The Daily News
Letter: The Kelso agenda (Blake, Takko, Hatfield)
Everett Herald (subscription required)
Everett tightens, extends temporary marijuana rules
Smaller special districts struggle to file financial reports for state
Average U.S. housing allowance for service members rises only 0.5%
McCusker: Illegal immigration created bogus wage ‘problem’
Editorial: Smoking ban is a big success
Federal Way Mirror
Governor appoints Federal Way school board member Carol Gregory to serve in Legislature (Gregory)
Islands’ Sounder
New year, new laws enacted
Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Seahawks fast ferry off for now; maybe next week
News Tribune (subscription required)
E. coli found in drinking water west of Gig Harbor
Education, mental health, among key issues leading into legislative session (Chopp)
Many agencies don’t file required report, but few conceal finances
Carol Gregory will replace deceased state Rep. Roger Freeman of Federal Way
Editorial: Flu shot a no-brainer for health care workers
Olympian (subscription required)
Education, mental health, among key issues leading into legislative session (Hunter, Chopp)
Many agencies don’t file required report, but few conceal finances
Puget Sound Business Journal
Port negotiations: A resolution in sight
School upgrade takes more than money
Tunnel fiasco needs explanation
Seattle Times (subscription required)
From state job to lobbying gig? Officials want ‘cooling-off’ year first (Carlyle)
Cantwell, Murray seek to make sales-tax deductions permanent
With 107,000 enrollees, Wash. is halfway to insurance sign-up goal
Jonanthan Martin: As medical-marijuana advocates howl, no foul by City Attorney Pete Holmes
Blog: Replay: Video chat on how to meet our state’s transportation needs (Clibborn)
Seattle Weekly
Ruling: Arlene’s Flowers Owner Can Be Sued
Skagit Valley Herald
Outdoor rec a money driver for state, county (Ranker)
Spokesman Review
Hill says Washington’s two-year revenue will be $3 billion higher, so no tax hike needed (Fraser, Hunter)
Legislative session could be one of myths v. truths (Fraser)
Mt. Spokane ski area asking state for $2.3 million in upgrades
Editorial: STEM scholarship plan right for Spokane
Vancouver Business Journal
New laws affecting business in 2015
Yakima Herald Republic
Avian flu quarantine not expected to expand beyond Tri-Cities
BROADCAST
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Inslee plan: No tolls, ferry costs for electric car owners
King Co. readies catch-and-release policy for many felony suspects
Seattle tunnel timeline pushed back again
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Group says developer of Seattle Civic Center given special treatment
New Senate Republican plan could create gridlock on roads, in Legislature
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Mental health law gets second chance in Olympia
KPLU FM
NLRB: PLU Unionization Vote Tally Unclear With 38 Contested Ballots
Coalition of King County Cities Adopt Formal Goals In Climate Pact
Planning Underway To Open Shelter For Tacoma’s Homeless Youth & Young Adults
Under Republican Attack, Inslee Defends Tax Proposals
NW Public Radio
Study: Outdoor Recreation Means Big Bucks and Jobs in Washington
Under Republican Attack, Washington Governor Defends Tax Proposals
WEB
Capitol Record (TVW)
Gov. Jay Inslee raises ’12th Man’ flag
Lawmakers spar over proposed capital gains tax (Hunter, Fraser)
Gov. Jay Inslee defends tax proposal
House, Senate leaders discuss priorities for 2015 session (Chopp, Nelson)
Crosscut
Under the Dome: The Apples and Oranges Legislature (Hunter)
Publicola
Sawant Opponent Says Socialist Council Member is “Divisive” (Clibborn, Farrell)
Poll: Voters Support Carbon Tax (Fitzgibbon)
Seattle P.I.
Inslee, Republican legislators at odds: A budget battle in Olympia? (Hunter)
Slog
Report Urges Washington State’s Legislators to Combat Racial Inequities (Carlyle)
Prices Fall as Washington State Weed Growers Produce More Pot Than Can Be Sold
Washington State Wire
Rivers, Appleton and Hatfield Lead Out With Cannabis Bill Prefile, Kohl-Welles Will Follow (Kohl-Welles, Hatfield)
No Surprise Here: Little Accord Among Republicans, Democrats Going Into 2015 Session (Chopp, Hunter, Fraser)
Sen. Hill: ‘Myth’ Washington State Has Large Budget Deficit (Carlyle)
Thursday, Jan 8
Associated Press
Inslee’s pollution solution: tackle water toxics at source
Forest Service pulls protested plan to spend $10M on image
Judge: State can sue florist who shunned gay-wedding business
Emergency poultry quarantine at Tri-Cities for avian flu
GOP targets Social Security disability funding
Study: Washington death penalty cases cost $1M extra
Aberdeen Daily World
Amidst flood chaos, residents doing what they can
Bellevue Reporter
Former Starbucks chief bemoans Seattle’s $15 wage | WPC panel provides dismal outlook for small businesses
Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Ericksen sidesteps Supreme Court to seek two-thirds vote for taxes (Ranker)
Op-ed: McCleary decision still provoking petulance
Blog: Ericksen cites climate skeptics on eve of Inslee carbon tax rollout (Ranker)
Everett Herald (subscription required)
Gov. Inslee proposes free toll lane, ferry travel for electric vehicles (Hobbs)
Inslee shifts strategy to push his big policy ideas
Op-ed: Six things the state can do to make schools better
Editorial: Act would help juvenile offenders make good (Kagi)
The Inlander
A Little More Money, A Lot More Problems (Hunter, Riccelli, Ormsby)
Ante Up (Riccelli)
Issaquah/Sammamish Reporter
Issaquah council asks state lawmakers for transportation solutions on I-90 (Mullet, Clibborn)
Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Bainbridge pot shop controversy centers on what a park is
Hauge appointed to state Liquor Control Board
Maple Valley Reporter
Maple Valley to push for road project funding
News Tribune (subscription required)
Elway Poll shows upbeat electorate, surprising support for cap-trade tax on polluters
Editorial: Bloodbath in Paris has escalated war on free speech
Peninsula Daily News
Port Angeles City Council heading toward banning personal fireworks
Puget Sound Business Journal
Washington state senator proposes bill to prohibit dispensaries from selling pure marijuana
Inslee wants electric-car growth, proposes free toll lane and ferry trips
Washington AG claims some court wins in fight against Richland florist
The cost of changing Obamacare’s full-time worker threshold: More uninsured, bigger deficits
EPA to impose plan to cut power plant emissions on states that balk at rule
Seattle Times (subscription required)
Rasmussen says Seattle fears over Bertha tunnel are premature
UW brings $12.5 billion to local economy, study says
Washington’s preschool program has good results, low participation
Constantine seeks 2015 levy for early-childhood programs
Editorial: Address the substitute teacher shortage
Guest Opinion: A bipartisan approach to climate action
Skagit Valley Herald
WWU sets sail in new marine research boat
Wildlife agency urges watchers to keep distance
Spokesman Review
Men sue Washington state for prison time compensation
Will Senate require 2/3rd votes on taxes?
Liquor Board replacements nominated
Weed businesses sprouting like. . .
Tri-City Herald
Quarantine on eggs, poultry placed on Tri-Cities
State: Few young people voted in Benton and Franklin counties in 2014
Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Editorial – Haste short-circuits electric car program
Yakima Herald Republic
Same-sex wedding case: Flower shop owner can be sued in personal capacity
BROADCAST
KING 5 TV (NBC)
WA may soon have Silver Alert for missing elderly (Appleton)
KPLU FM
Marijuana On The Agenda As Washington Legislature Convenes
Study: Wash. Death Penalty Cases Cost Much More Than Similar Non-Death Penalty Cases
KUOW FM
Confused By $15 Minimum Wage? We Break It Down
NW Public Radio
Body Cameras Prompt Cops to Ask Legislature for Clarification
Q13 TV (FOX)
Inslee declares state of emergency in 9 counties following storm
Governor Inslee wants you in a new (electric) car
Judge rules against Washington florist who refused to sell flowers for same-sex wedding
WEB
Capitol Record (TVW)
Lawmakers offer preview of 2015 session at Washington Policy Center summit in Bellevue (Carlyle)
Senate Republicans propose rule change to require two-thirds majority for tax bills in chamber
Statewide recycling rates drop; new program to reduce toxic mercury in landfills
DSHS seeks legislation for mental health competency services
On ‘The Impact:’ New lawmakers in Olympia (Jayapal)
Crosscut
Tax reform impasse has Legislature all tied up in knots (Hunter, Carlyle)
GOP enviro chair: Gov. Inslee gunning for $4 a gallon gas
Horsesass.org
Again, Why 2/3?
The Legislative Session
Publicola
Sawant Opponent Says Socialist Council Member is “Divisive” (Clibborn, Farrell)
Schmudget
New Report Confronts Racial Inequity in Washington State
Seattle P.I.
A sharp drop in Americans who do not have health insurance
Democrats’ bill would repair hole in women’s health coverage (Pedersen, Keiser, Frockt, Kohl-Welles, Ranker)
The Stand
Report confronts racial inequality in our state
Washington State Wire
Senate Republicans Put Full-Court Press on Inslee Spending Plans (Carlyle)
Price of Legal Pot in Washington Plunges 40% as Shortages Ease
Wednesday, Jan 7
Associated Press
GOP takes charge in Congress, runs into swift veto threat
FAA grants permits for agriculture, real estate drones
Record production in 2014 from Northwest nuclear power plant
Washington voters say education top issue for Legislature
Boeing reports record orders, deliveries to airlines in 2014
Poll: Voters say education top issue for Legislature
Key lawmaker’s proposal: medical pot shops without dried pot (Hatfield, Kohl-Welles)
Aberdeen Daily World
Commissioners declare state of emergency
Pacific County flood waters receding after area hit hard
Amidst flood chaos, residents doing what they can
Beacon Hill, above and below
Hoquiam residents lose their houses, business owners struggle to keep stores dry after flooding
Bothell Reporter
New legislative session means more laws | Cornfield
Local gun rights group files suit against I-594
Columbian
Camden: Predicting the predictable: Legislators won’t heed Inslee
In Our View: It Falls on the Just, Unjust
Everett Herald (subscription required)
How traffic is hurting Snohomish County businesses (Hobbs)
Op-ed by Rep. Reykdal: Less support for higher-ed hurts students
Kirkland Reporter
New legislative session means more laws
Local gun rights group files suit against I-594
Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
New ferries director shaking up management
Kitsap Transit considers foot ferry run for Seahawk game
News Tribune (subscription required)
Medical pot patients urge Tacoma council to keep marijuana shops open
Median home prices jump nearly 10 percent in 2014 in Pierce County; 7 percent in Thurston
UW Tacoma names next chancellor
Editorial: It’s vital to take steps against future wildfire threat
Peninsula Daily News
Port of Port Angeles plans to sue insurance carriers over environmental projects
Two major proposals surface in state Legislature to rein in medical marijuana shops (Kohl-Welles)
Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle is best city in the U.S. to find a job, according to new report
Seattle Times (subscription required)
Low mountain snowpack raises water-supply fears in Washington
Pursuing death penalty boosts public’s costs, Seattle U study says
Poll: voters open to Inslee’s taxes on carbon and capital gains
Guest Opinion: No more excuses, the state must spend more on public education (Rolfes)
Seattle Weekly
Opponents of New Background-Check Law File Lawsuit, Argue Semantics
Skagit Valley Herald
‘A long way to go’ (Mental Health Funding)
Federal court weighing in on wait times for inmates’ mental health care
Spokesman Review
Pot sellers report December sales increase in Spokane County
Education tops voters’ list for legislative session
New Fish-Wildlife director to be named Saturday
Editorial: Keep Spokane’s law giving immigrants sanctuary
Tri-City Herald
Avian flu found in second Benton County backyard flock
Walla Walla County sees whooping cough epidemic
Editorial: Police body camera not necessarily the answer
Yakima Herald Republic
Newhouse lands House ag, natural resources, science committee assignments
BROADCAST
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Grandmother rescued from landslide says she feels blessed
Officers say cameras helped lower crime on Metro buses
I-90 WB on Snoqualmie Pass reopens after rockslide
Family fighting Everett pot shop gets partial victory
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Residents escape mudslide: ‘It wasn’t my time to go’
KPLU FM
More Restrictions May Be Coming For ‘Vape Shops’ In 2015
Elway Poll Suggests Washington Voters Open To Higher Taxes
KUOW FM
Washington Tribe Wants Feds To Halt Coal Project
Rising Rents In 2014 Led By Small Cities
MyNorthwest.com (KIRO FM)
Sloppy, lazy push for alternative form of rent control (Kohl-Welles)
NW Public Radio
Elway Poll Suggests Washington Voters Open To Higher Taxes
Northwestern Washington Tribe Calls On Feds To Halt Coal Terminal Permit Review
WEB
Crosscut
How Seattle-area students would remake their schools
Seattle process: Does working together make us dumber?
The Daily Troll: New bill takes aim at unions. Washingtonian optimism. Turtles hit Long Beach.
Publicola
Mayor Murray and the Other Tunnel
Slog
Would Bertha’s Failure Doom Transit Tunnels in Downtown Seattle?
The Stand
Public has Inslee’s back, Seattle is #1, magical mystery math
Washington State Wire
The 42 Twitter Accounts to Understand the 2015 Legislative Session
Elway Poll Finds Washington Voters In Upbeat Mood With Education on Their Minds