The Union-Bulletin Editorial Board didn’t pull any punches when they ripped into Democrats for shutting out the public during the legislative session. “Take, for example, the way the Democratic-majority in the Legislature used a parliamentary trick to get around the state constitution at the end of the just completed legislative session,” they wrote. The Democrats’ abuse of “Title-Only” bills allowed them to get around the constitution and pass a last-minute tax hike. (Union-Bulletin)

As the Edmonds School District, along with numerous other districts around the state, consider teacher layoffs, you’ve probably heard it blamed on how lawmakers underfunded schools. According to Liv Finne with the Washington Policy Center the real reason is huge pay increases districts approved. “These were increases that the districts said at the time they could not afford,” Finne said. “Everybody knew they couldn’t afford them at the time.” (MyNorthwest)

You or someone you know is probably running for office in King County. Well, at least that’s what it feels like. King County’s elections department is expecting a record number of people to file for local office this year. “We expect a record-breaking number of candidates to file for office, which is great news for our region and democracy,” King County Elections Director Julie Wise said in a prepared statement. “People are more engaged in their government and their community when they see candidates who represent them.” (Seattle Times)

Principal Jason Smith of Rogers High School in Puyallup was presented with the award for national Educator of the Year. “Our theme at Rogers is very simple. We love kids and teach and that’s what we do–we show up every day for them, we love them, we hold them accountable, we teach them, we educate them and it’s an honor to do what we do, that’s how you have to look at it,” Smith said. (KING 5)

“There are two things I care very much about,” said Yakima’s new police chief Matthew Murray. “Be nice, and provide excellent customer service.” After barely two weeks on the job said it was too soon to talk about specific strategies for reducing crime or engaging with the public. (Yakima Herald)

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