Manka Dhingra admittedly has no ideas on how to improve 405 congestion and wants to have more studies done. Perhaps she should read any of the multiple studies already done on 405 since the 90’s master plan was developed.
If she needs any more help with her research, though, she could learn a lot by starting here or here.
Happening in Olympia
Democrats have been politicizing Olympia’s failure to fix the Hirst decision and pass a capital budget. In typical liberal fashion, Democrats have been attempting to call their proposal of putting a band-aid on the Hirst decision for two years a fix. Don’t be fooled – it was never a solution. Liberals are failing rural families.
Online petitions have gone viral this week, as distressed citizens post to their social media accounts their concern over new driving laws. To clarify, “it remains legal in Washington state to drink coffee and drive. Just make sure to stay in your lane.” Driving with coffee-in-hand would only garner you a ticket if you commit a primary driving violation that may have been aided by a distraction.
Western Washington
An email trail has connected Seattle with the misleading minimum wage study that was referenced by the Mayor’s Office as “proof” of the $15 minimum wage not hurting our economy. According to Forbes, Seattle “provided a tranche of email records” in response to a public records request that “provides conclusive proof of the close coordination between the Berkeley research team, the Seattle Mayor’s office, and the PR firm promoting the Fight for $15.” (Read more here.)
A preliminary hearing to rule on alleged misconduct by Sheriff John Urquhart will proceed after an unfair-labor-practices complaint was filed by the Puget Sound Police Managers Association. Allegations of Urquhart lying in public statements, bullying, retaliation and more will be heard as potential violations.
The man who accused Seattle Mayor Ed Murray of sexual assault is now suing the city for up to $3 million after an investigation revealed Murray’s history of sexual abuse. The lawsuit claims Murray was, “utilizing and abusing his position of power,” as mayor in undermining his case by “falsely and defamatorily,” accusing the plaintiff of conspiracy.
A Garfield High School counselor is being investigated after complaints against Raymond Willis were filed with the state superintendent’s Office of Professional Practice by Seattle Public Schools for violations of character due to a series of penalties for financial fraud.
Former Seattle Mayor and current mayoral candidate Mike McGinn has questioned Kathleen O’Toole’s commitment as the Seattle Police Chief, saying, “if she’s accepting other jobs and applying for other jobs, why not be transparent about that?” O’Toole has accepted consulting jobs in Ireland and Baltimore for police reform – without leaving her current post in Seattle.
Eastern Washington
Hanford’s Plutonium Finishing Plant cleanup on Z Plant, the main – and most hazardous – part of the former nuclear reservation, is nearing completion.
21 additional wells have exceeded the acceptable levels of toxicity near Fairchild Air Force Base after regulators tested for the firefighting chemicals that were discovered as toxins in wells earlier this year. Specific well locations have yet to be released to the general public.
Notable Tweets
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