Majorities matter: Democrats are picking up the pace in Olympia. It may have taken some time, but they’re setting a “fast legislative pace” now. Majority Leader Sen. Sharon Nelson (D-Maury Island) said, “It’s been frenetic. We’ve got a lot more coming.” Though Sen. Joe Fain (R-Auburn), the Republican floor leader, cautioned, “A number of the policy bills they’re pushing out, I’m not certain they’ll have the impact that they might be celebrating.” (The Seattle Times)

Seattle school bus drivers ended their strike after 97% of members voted in favor of the new contract struck between Teamsters Local 174 and First Student. The new contract “includes expanded benefits and comprehensive health-care coverage for drivers and their families.” (The Seattle Times)

UW will receive a $3 million grant from the EPA to investigate a link between air pollution and heart disease. Dr. Joel Kaufman from the school said research to date “has been unusually productive and this award recognizes that.” (The Seattle Times)

5 people were arrested at the UW College Republicans rally with Patriot Prayer over the weekend. A crowd of counterdemonstrators gathered on campus. Members of the Seattle Police Department assisted in providing security after a judge granted an injunction Friday that prevented the school from charging $17,000 to the College Republicans for estimated security costs. (CBS News)

Levy ballots are due tomorrow for many schools in the Mid-Columbia region. “Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, Prosser, Grandview and Columbia-Burbank school districts have proposed four-year property tax levies. Kiona-Benton City, Finley, Kahlotus, North Franklin and Washtucna school districts have put forward two-year levies.” (Tri-City Herald)

Concerning the individual provider employment administrator program | SB 6199 | passed Senate, 26-21-0-2 vote | “An inappropriate sweetheart deal that’s trying to be muscled through by the union and the governor at a late hour,” said Sen. Joe Fain (R-Auburn). (The Seattle Times)

Exempting public employee dates of birth from public disclosure requirements | SB 6079 | passed Senate, 25-22-0-2 vote | “This is truly the ugly underbelly of politics,” said Sen. Doug Ericksen (R-Ferndale). (The Seattle Times)

Reducing the use of certain toxic chemicals in firefighting activities | ESSB 6413 | passed Senate, 39-8-0-2 vote | “Hopefully, with this bill passing, we will limit future contamination,” said Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim). (The Seattle Times)

Developing information concerning racial disproportionality | ESSB 5588 | 46-1-0-2 vote

Concerning the Washington uniform common interest ownership act | SSB 6175 | 35-12-0-2 vote

Concerning procedures in order to automatically register citizens to vote | E3SSB 6353 | 34-13-0-2 vote

Concerning juvenile offenses | SSB 6566 | 31-16-0-2 vote

Concerning tourism marketing | E4SSB 5251 | 47-0-0-2 vote

Concerning the statute of limitations for unfair labor practice complaints filed in superior court | SB 6231 | 27-20-0-2 vote

Adding domestic violence harassment to the list of offenses for which a person is prohibited from possessing a firearm | SB 6298 | 34-13-0-2 vote

Concerning contributions from political committees to other political committees | ESSB 5108 | 29-18-0-2 vote

Creating alternatives to total confinement for certain qualifying offenders with minor children | ESSB 5307 | 46-1-0-2 vote

Concerning actions for wrongful injury or death | 2SSB 6015 | 26-21-0-2 vote

Exempting tow truck operators using the telephone call functionality of a wireless communications device from traffic infractions | SSB 6066 | 29-18-0-2 vote

Concerning spoken language interpreter services | 2SSB 6245 | 31-16-0-2 vote

Establishing the future of work task force | SSB 6544 | 36-11-0-2 vote

Encouraging fairness in disciplinary actions of peace officers | SB 6188 | 41-6-0-2 vote

Protecting the public’s health by creating a system for safe and secure collection and disposal of unwanted medications | ESHB 1047 | 86-12-0-0 vote

Improving students’ mental health by enhancing nonacademic professional services | 2SSHB 1377 | 64-34-0-0 vote

Expanding civics education in public schools | 2SHB 1896 | 98-0-0-0 vote

Protecting an open internet in Washington state | SHB 2282 | 93-5-0-0 vote

Increasing access to emergency assistance for victims by providing immunity from prosecution for prostitution offenses in some circumstances | SHB 2361 | 96-2-0-0 vote

Establishing a child care collaborative task force | SHB 2367 | 69-29-0-0 vote

Promoting the use of surplus public property for public benefit | 3SHB 2382 | 53-45-0-0 vote

Concerning a database of pharmacies offering vaccines and self-administered hormonal contraceptives through collaborative drug therapy agreements | EHB 2570 | 86-12-0-0 vote

Preserving and expanding rental housing options for persons whose source of income is derived from or includes sources other than employment | E2SHB 2578 | 61-37-0-0 vote

Concerning high school and beyond plans | SHB 2686 | 77-21-0-0 vote

Modifying the learning assistance program | SHB 2748 | 93-5-0-0 vote

Ensuring the passport to college promise program is available to certain populations of foster youth | HB 2832 | 95-3-0-0 vote

Authorizing an alternative form of regulation of electrical and natural gas companies | ESHB 2839 | 64-34-0-0 vote

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