Public charter schools are “delivering better results at significantly lower costs to taxpayers” compared to traditional public schools, according to a study from CATO and the University of Arkansas. That the study shows cost differences, the lead researcher explains, “shouldn’t surprise anyone…charter schools must spend money on kids – rather than administrators – if they want to keep their doors open.” (Washington Policy Center)

Kitsap Naval Base-Bangor was on lockdown yesterday after a bomb threat during a bomb threat at one of the gates. The Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management also ordered people in the area to find shelter after the suspect claimed to have an IED and tried to illegally enter the base. A spokesperson for the base has reported the “situation is under control.” No bomb was found. (MyNorthwest)

Congress is debating the fate of the Snake River dams right now, with Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) sponsoring a bill “that would keep the status quo – no breaching, no extra spill,” while Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) is pushing for an environmental study to be conducted to look at “different alternatives for salmon recovery, including breaching or removing one or more of the four dams.” (Tri-City Herald)

Imposing an energy tax | SB 6203 | in Senate Ways & Means Committee | “Despite the dramatic rhetoric from the Governor and other environmental activists, SB 6203 would be surprisingly ineffective when it comes to actually producing results. Although there are some important elements, such as metrics to measure the effectiveness of government expenditures, they are undermined by elements designed to satisfy special interest groups and to gain political support. The result is legislation that would put the heaviest burden on families, using the new taxes to placate special interests rather than cut actual CO2 emissions.” (Washington Policy Center)

Creating a students protecting students program | HB 2442| in House Appropriations Committee | creating a mobile app for students to report mass shootings. (The Seattle Times)

Concerning security freeze fees charged by consumer reporting agencies | ESB 6018 | passed House 81-15-0-2, passed Senate 46-2-0-1

Higher Education (House)

Concerning veterans’ mental health services at institutions of higher education | SB 5525

Modifying the Washington advanced college tuition payment and college savings programs | ESB 6087

Concerning the criminal history of applicants to institutions of higher education | SB 6582

Establishing a student loan bill of rights | E2SSB 6029

Early Learning & Human Services (House)

Concerning behavioral rehabilitation services | SSB 6013

Revising conditions under which a person is subject to exclusive adult jurisdiction and extending juvenile court jurisdiction over serious cases to age twenty-five | E2SSB 6160

Health Care & Wellness (House)

Requiring training for long-term care providers on the needs of the LGBTQ population | ESSB 5700

Exploring enforcement of a requirement to maintain minimum essential health care coverage | ESSB 6084

Establishing a pesticide application safety work group | E2SSB 6529

State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections (Senate)

Concerning election security practices around auditing and equipment | ESHB 2406

Applying campaign contribution limits to candidates for all special purpose districts authorized to provide freight and passenger transfer and terminal facilities | SHB 2647

Concerning election ballot space and voter informations | ESHB 2704

Concerning the appointment of religious coordinators | SHB 2818

State Government, Elections & Information Technology (House)

Concerning disclosure in initiatives, referenda, and recall petitions | ESSB 5397

Establishing a training course for campaign treasurers | ESSB 6161

Human Services & Corrections (Senate)

Including referred and diverted youth in establishing community juvenile accountability program guidelines | 2SHB 1280

Concerning access to homeless housing and assistance | E2SHB 1570

Concerning the addition of services for long-term placement of mental health patients in community settings that voluntarily contract to provide the services | 2EHB 2107

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