The Morning Briefing – September 27, 2017

IT’S WEDNESDAY!!!

Shift Wire

We wanted your Hirst horror stories. You responded, big time: “I am a 28 year retired combat veteran and have served in the Marine Corps and Army. I finally bought my dream property, 10 acres with an existing well, and cannot get a building permit due to the Hirst Decision…”

Check out more of the stories here.

Happening in Olympia

Lawmakers held a hearing to discuss whether or not Sound Transit manipulated legislators and taxpayers regarding the eventual cost and size of their $54 billion ST3 project. “I certainly hope the average, impartial viewer can reach only one conclusion, and that is it is undeniable that Sound Transit misled,” Sen. Steve O’Ban (R-Tacoma) said.

Two conservation groups are suing Washington to stop the state from killing wolves – saying the Fish and Wildlife officials have been guilty for using a revised “wolf-livestock interaction protocol” that allowed more rapid killing of wolves without first asking for public input.

The state Auditor’s Office has recommended upgrades for the state’s information technology agency – releasing a report that explains a myriad of problems with WaTech that need to be fixed.

Western Washington

Washington has denied the permit for the Columbia River coal terminal in Longview – potentially killing the project. The project had been slated to bring in $680 million for Cowlitz County and generate $5.4 million in state and local taxes.

Seattle’s budget proposal is suggesting a $64 million homeless services package for next year. It hovered around $61 million this year. “The dramatic rise in homelessness that has accompanied our recent, rapid growth is troubling to all of us,” Mayor Tim Burgess said of their decision to raise the spending on aiding the homeless.

A judge has ruled that the City of Everett may proceed with their lawsuit against Purdue Pharma. Everett is suing the pharmaceutical company for having awareness of their OxyContin pills were being pushed into the black market – but failing to take action to stop it, and should therefore be held financially responsible.

Eastern Washington

Spokane City Council held a three-hour forum on Monday to talk about homelessness. City Council President Ben Stuckart said that to fix homelessness in Spokane, the city needs to, “start looking at what the actual causes of problems are.”

Pasco School District is holding informational sessions about their $99.5 million bond proposal in October. The proposal will be appearing on the upcoming November ballot and is said to be raising money for the construction and renovation of area schools.

Like what you read?

Do you like The Morning Briefing? Forward this to a friend! It helps us grow our community and serve you better.

If you feel we missed something that should be covered, email us at [email protected].

If you don’t want to receive this email each morning, click here to opt-out of The Morning Briefing.

Share: