“This initiative says whenever they raise taxes without a vote of the people, we’re going to put it on a strict time limit,” said Tim Eyman. He was referencing his latest initiative, which if passed would limit all future taxes to just one year and need to be re-voted on each session. “They pass a tax and it lasts forever,” Eyman explained. “What this initiative does is, we want to have strict time limits on the ones they pass.” (MyNorthwest)

Washington state and Norway have partnered up on creating the next-generation of maritime and clean energy technologies. Representatives signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Nordic Innovation Summit last week. “We are focused, and we are obsessed, and that’s the meaning of this MOU,” said the Hon. Kåre Aas, Norway’s ambassador to the United States. (GeekWire)

Terry Rice is one of the many candidates running for Seattle City Council to replace the retiring Mike O’Brien in District 6. Rice calls himself a practical progressive. “What it means to be a practical progressive for me is that we champion progressive values while looking for the pragmatic solutions that we know are going to address the underlying causes of the challenges that we see in Seattle,” he said. If you’re still uncertain about what a practical progressive is, don’t worry, you’re not alone. (MyNorthwest)

Steve Young, Kennewick’s longest serving mayor and councilmember, passed away last week after battling cancer. “Councilman Young had the ability to create a vision for our community, advocate for the vision and then follow-through to implement that vision,” said City Manager Marie Mosley. While Young was mayor of Kennewick, his leadership and vision will be felt throughout all of Tri-Cities for years to come. (KONA)

Spokane County has led the state’s five most populous counties in its rate of filing felony drug possession charges going as far back as 2011. Some in Spokane are looking to drug court and incarceration along with treatment centers as best way to help address the issue. “What I tell people is, ‘If you don’t want us to file controlled substance charges, then speak to the Legislature,’” said Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Haskell. “But in the meantime, law enforcement is going to do what? Enforce the law.” (Spokesman-Review)

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