Cheer up, son, you can no longer be locked up for life.
Happening in Olympia
The state Supreme Court ruled yesterday that it is unconstitutional to sentence youth offenders to life in prison without the possibility of parole. After this 5-4 decision, trial courts cannot impose a minimum term of life for people convicted of committing a crime when they were younger than 18 years old. (Seattle Times)
Western Washington
Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords visited Seattle yesterday, urging voters to support the I-1639 gun control measure. The Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs disagreed, telling KIRO 7, “Initiative 1639 contains provisions that are in clear violation of both state and federal individual constitutional rights, which, as law enforcement officers, we are sworn to uphold.” (KIRO 7)
The Pierce County Council approved a 2.5 percent pay increase for the county’s auditor, assessor-treasurer, sheriff, and county executive. Under the county charter, councilmembers’ salaries are set at 60 percent of the executive’s salary. (The News Tribune)
Sally Jewell, former Obama-era Interior Secretary and REI CEO, is joining UW’s Earthlab initiative on climate change response. The initiative aims to produce long-term plans that account for possible side effects of changing climate. Jewell will chair the group’s advisory council. (Seattle Times)
Eastern Washington
Republican Kathy Martin has a challenger in this year’s race for Walla-Walla County Clerk. Kathy Mulkerin, Democrat, says her experience as an office administrator would help her transition into the Clerk’s Office. Incumbent Martin has 40 years of experience. (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin)
Benton County commissioners agreed to spend $2.5 million in public safety sales tax receipts for a new radio tower. The tower is aimed at better connecting deputies patrolling Benton City and Horn Rapids areas with dispatchers. “We’ve been working for a lot of years with this vulnerability out there,” Sheriff Jerry Hatcher said. “We’ve had way too many incidents that have come really close to somebody getting hurt, so I really appreciate this.” (Tri-City Herald)
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