Legislative Democrats helped create the current free-for-all teacher contract negotiations that threaten the start of school, and state schools superintendent Chris Reykdal hasn’t show leadership, the Seattle Times ed board says. “For certain, the Democratic-controlled Legislature shares blame this year for not enacting clearer rules governing collective bargaining for teachers,” the paper wrote. It knocked Reykdal for only recently advising districts not to bargain away more than they can afford in the long-term. “When it came time to lead in this important transitional year, Reykdal instead muddied the waters.” (Seattle Times)

The state Supreme Court ruled that I-940, which would make it easier to prosecute police in shooting incidents, will appear on the ballot, while a compromise bill passed by the Legislature will not. If I-940 passes, prosecutors will not have to show police acted with actual malice to prosecute. Legislators this spring passed a compromise bill, worked out with accountability advocates and police groups, but the bill was invalidated by the court because legislators are not allowed to immediately amend an initiative to the Legislature. (Associated Press)

Gov. Jay Inslee has spent a large chunk of his year out of state on campaign trips for the Democratic Governors Association. Because that’s what we pay his salary for, right? “Since Jan. 1, Inslee has spent all or parts of 49 days on more than a dozen DGA-related trips out of the state,” but Inslee dismisses criticisms. “I can do this work anywhere there is a cellphone, and I do it,” he said, confirming that the entirety of his job involves talking on the phone. (Seattle Times)

After three and a half years without a contract, the City of Seattle and its police officers union are close to striking a deal. The new contract will include a pay bump, which should help with officer recruitment, the union says.“I’m personally still frustrated and can’t believe it took the city this long to work things out with us,” one officer told My Northwest. “It feeds into the poor morale in our department. (My Northwest)

A chronic crime problem surrounding the King County Courthouse threatens the safety of visitors. “After horror stories of jurors and others being chased down the street – and others afraid to even show up at the courthouse for fear of what might happen,” the county increased security and started spraying down sidewalks. Police have focused on arresting drug dealers around the courthouse, but more needs to be done. (KOMO 4)

The Herald-Republic ed board says if the state wants to get a handle on wildfires and smoke, it needs to spend more on firefighting, thinning, and proscribed burns. Current state practices – a “tacit non-policy of fire suppression” – have left forests overloaded with fuel. “Selective logging would clear much of that, with the bonus of providing jobs and allowing the state to get money back by selling removed timber,” the paper says. (Yakima Herald-Republic)

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