Rep. Skyler Rude (R-Walla Walla), along with a bipartisan group of more than 50 representatives, proposed legislation adopting a pilot remote testimony program in the House. “The Senate is already doing this, so there’s no reason the House shouldn’t be offering this option, as well,” Rude said. Except for those in and around Seattle, voters have to take a full day off of work, brave the elements driving across the state, all so they can provide a few minutes of testimony. Remove testimony would help make participating in state government much more accessible for Washingtonians, regardless of where they live. (Washington Policy Center)

Gov. Jay Inslee spent yet another day on the campaign trail, opting this time to travel to a state closer to home. During a trip to California, Inslee delivered talking points about how climate change had fueled last year’s wildfires. “We have to realize that we’re seeing the face of climate change right here in this community and it is the face of destruction that we’re seeing all across the western United States,” he said. (KING 5)

Seattle City Councilmember Rob Johnson is pushing a plan that would remove University Way NE, also known as “The Ave,” from a sweeping upzoning bill. After the council upzoned the U District in 2017, businesses asked them to hold off on doing the same to The Ave, asking for time to study the policy. “We’ve decided, out of an abundance of caution, to split all the U District changes into a separate bill” later this year, Johnson said. Adding, “We’ve decided, out of an abundance of caution, to split all the U District changes into a separate bill” later this year. (Seattle Times)

“To strengthen the people’s trust in their city government, city leaders should work quickly to strengthen the ethics rules by closing the new job loophole,” said Seattle City Council candidate Alex Pedersen. This was in response to Rob Johnson’s new job – after announcing he would not run for re-election, he accepted a job with Seattle’s new NHL team as a transportation advisor. Pedersen is running to succeed Johnson in representing District 4. (MyNorthwest)

The College Place City Council is considering an ordinance to request an election weighing whether or not to annex the city into Walla Walla’s County Rural Library District. If the council approves the ordinance it will then go to the Walla Walla County Rural Library District board for a vote. Mayor Harvey Crowder said the estimated cost of an election will be between $15,000 and $20,000. (Union-Bulletin)

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