Through bloviation alone, Inslee and Kerry created favorable conditions yesterday for John’s favorite every-man hobby: windsurfing. The former U.S. Secretary of State showed up in Olympia to throw his considerable political influence (ha) behind Inslee’s latest energy tax scheme (even though voters aren’t that keen). Sen. Doug Ericksen (R-Ferndale) called Inslee’s energy tax “simply a gas tax increase and a home heating tax increase” that will hit working families. (MyNorthwest)

Inslee’s latest attempt to push an energy tax through Olympia  | SB 6203 | scheduled for Senate Ways & Means Committee hearing on Feb. 15

Rep. Timm Ormsby (D-Spokane) was charged with a DUI on Monday in Thurston County District Court after he rolled his vehicle last weekend. “We take this very seriously…We’ll have this conversation in our leadership team. It’s a group decision,” House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan (D-Covington) said regarding the potential loss of Ormsby’s chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee. (The Spokesman-Review)

King County Executive Dow Constantine is grumbling about unfair taxes – which is ironic if you look at his impressive track record of supporting unfair tax proposals. Like this little-known $50 billion tax proposal to support Sound Transit – which he dubbed “the most important decision our generation will be asked to make.” (Don’t forget when he also claimed this $15 billion investment of taxpayer money would stop traffic.) Or this prophetic proposal that would hike property taxes up by $392 million over six years. And we can’t forget this $469 million one, essentially an arts slush fund to keep his donors happy. Voters weren’t so happy.

At a recent event for Sound Cities Association, Constantine explained his views on taxes by saying, “Now, what is fair depends on where you stand, obviously, but I would submit this: That fairness comes down to your ability to pay.” We know, Dow. We know. We just don’t think you know what “ability to pay” actually means. (MyNorthwest)

Free speech for university students is a hot topic right now – especially in Washington. John Carlson has a few thoughts for both students and administrative staff – ones that may need to be heeded to protect both the First Amendment rights of students and staff, as well as the safety of all those who are involved in campus rallies. (The Seattle Times)

Why do we need public charter schools? “Seattle Public Schools…just throw in the kids and good luck. Nobody gets what they need because the teachers are spending all their time keeping order.” In the ever-waging war against charter schools, parents are coming out of the woodwork to speak up regarding their gratitude for charter schools recognizing their kids’ learning disabilities and skills, and educating them accordingly – something public schools are unable to do. (Washington Policy Center)

Members of the group planning to bring an NHL team to Seattle have filed an application with the league and paid the $10 million expansion fee required to bid on a team. “We are excited for the next steps in the process and our continued partnership with the City of Seattle.” (The Seattle Times)

The FDA is investigating a Tukwila-based raw pet food company after a pattern of salmonella and listeria contamination in their products. Darwin’s Natural Pet Products has had at least six complaints launched against it that allegedly include animal deaths and illnesses. (The Seattle Times)

The Spokane City Council passed legislation to protect historical properties. The laws allow for residents to form districts which would then be allowed to demand reviews of development plans regarding historic buildings as well as incentivize remodeling the buildings instead of levelling them. (The Spokesman-Review)

Dawn Kinder was confirmed to oversee Spokane’s Neighborhood and Business Services division by the Spokane City Council. “We’ve got big intentions around planning this year, with the infill changes…We’re talking about density and driving up our housing stock. We know we’ve got a huge limitation there,” said Kinder. (The Spokesman-Review)

Modifying the Washington advanced college tuition payment and college savings programs | EESB 6087 | 43-3-0-3 vote

Concerning the criminal history of applicants to institutions of higher education | SB 6582 | 28-19-0-2 vote

Regulating contracts by institutions of higher education with private entities | SB 6264 | 25-22-0-2 vote

Expanding registered apprenticeship programs | ESSB 6486 | 31-16-0-2 vote

Concerning the transparency of local taxing districts | ESSB 6587 | 34-13-0-2 vote

Making financial services available to marijuana producers, processors, retailers, qualifying patients, health care professionals, and designated providers as authorized under chapters 69.50 and 69.51A RCW | ESSB 5928 | 38-9-0-2 vote

Requiring disclosure by entities that compensate for petition signatures | ESSB 5397 | 33-14-0-2 vote

Concerning lead-based paint certification fees | SB 5643 | 29-18-0-2 vote

Concerning the discovery of privileged health care information and communications in claims for noneconomic damages under certain civil rights laws | SB 6027 | 42-5-0-2 vote

Creating a graduated reentry program of partial confinement for certain offenders | SSB 6277 | 33-14-0-2 vote

Establishing a training course for campaign treasurers | ESSB 6161 | 43-3-0-3 vote

Creating a pilot project for tribal compact schools | SSB 6474 | 44-3-0-2 vote

Modifying write-in voting provisions | SB 6058 | 46-1-0-2 vote

Increasing tax exemption transparency and accountability | ESSB 5513 | 47-0-0-2 vote

Protecting consumers from charges for out-of-network health services | 2EESHB 2114 | 72-26-0-0 vote

Concerning allowing affordable housing development on religious organization property | 2SHB 1987 | 74-24-0-0 vote

Concerning efficiency updates for capital budget appropriations allocated for public art | SHB 2809 | 73-25-0-0 vote

Limiting overtime for correctional officers | SHB 2817 | 80-18-0-0 vote

Managing wolves using translocation | ESHB 2771 | 85-13-0-0 vote

Concerning dangerous objects on county roads and bridges | E2SHB 1332 | 62-36-0-0 vote

Expanding higher education opportunities for certain students | E3SHB 1488 | 56-42-0-0 vote

Modifying the lodging excise tax to remove the exemption for premises with fewer than sixty lodging units and to tax certain vacation rentals, short-term home-sharing arrangements, and other compensated use or occupancy of dwellings | 2SHB 2015 | 56-42-0-0 vote

Concerning the responsibilities for state routes in cities or towns | EHB 2948 | 86-12-0-0 vote

Modernizing substance use disorder professional practice | 2EESHB 1340 | 66-32-0-0 vote

Simplifying the process for donating low-value surplus property owned by a city-owned utility | EHB 2290 | 63-35-0-0 vote

Concerning contractor bonding requirements for public transportation benefit areas and passenger-only ferry service districts | SHB 2317 | 53-45-0-0 vote

Modernizing fuel content standards and references | ESHB 2757 | 54-44-0-0 vote

Regarding tribes, fuel & tax agreements | 2SHB 1063 | 52-46-0-0 vote

Creating the hunger-free students’ bill of rights act | ESHB 2610 | 59-39-0-0 vote

Judiciary Committee (House)

Concerning freedom of expression rights of students at public schools and institutions of higher education | SSB 5064

Regarding foreclosure and distraint sales of manufactured/mobile or park model homes | SSB 6183

Concerning the medicaid fraud control unit | SSB 6051

Concerning medicaid fraud false claims civil penalties | SB 6053

Concerning health care provider and health care facility whistleblower protections | SSB 5998

Concerning small claims court | SSB 5989

Preventing suicide by permitting the voluntary waiver of firearm rights | SSB 5553

Concerning bump-fire stocks | ESB 5992

Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee (House)

Adjusting assessments levied on hardwood processors | SB 6073

Improving the management of the state’s halibut fishery | ESSB 6127

Clarifying existing law by creating a new intrastate food safety and security chapter from existing intrastate food safety laws and moving certain provisions in the intrastate commerce food, drugs, and cosmetics act to the titles of the agencies that administer the provisions | SSB 6318

Technology & Economic Development Committee (House)

Allowing excess local infrastructure financing revenues to be carried forward | SB 6177

Concerning the annual reporting requirements for regulated utility and transportation companies | SB 6179

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