Should local governments who don’t submit required financial disclosure forms with the State Auditor or refuse to cooperate with an audit lose their taxing authority? That’s an option floated by the Washington Policy Center’s Jason Mercer in response to a report by the auditor’s office that stated that it cannot audit over $1 million of public money because the entities simply don’t comply with the law. “The privilege to tax comes with the requirement to be transparent and accountable to the sovereigns of the state.” (The Daily World)

Governor Inslee will make a rare appearance in the state today for a photo op as he test-drives the state’s first all-electric school bus. This is undoubtably to help bolster his green image as he runs his feckless campaign for President on the sole issue of climate change. Inslee will reportedly drive laps around Tacoma’s Franklin Pierce High School stadium in the environmentally friendly school bus. Meanwhile, all the other Democrat Presidential hopefuls will be driving laps around him. (Associated Press)

Former police officer and city council candidate Brendan Kolding says anti-police rhetoric from the Seattle City Council will draw officers away from Seattle PD to other jurisdictions. Kolding, a candidate for District 1 points out that many local agencies are offering signing bonuses and other perks that will make it an easy decision to leave Seattle to more supportive and better paying departments. “We need a city council that’s supportive of law enforcement. We need as many experienced law enforcement professionals as we can get on city council. That’s why I’m running.” (MyNorthwest.com)

Candidates for Tacoma City Council all share an urgency for solving the city’s rapidly growing housing crisis but with varying ideas. The candidates suggested many remedies including: increasing density, utilizing the city’s vacant land, supporting increased rights for renters, and higher standards for developers. Some fear ideas that add barriers for developers and landlords will worsen the problem. This will likely continue to be a big issue during the election in a city that real estate company Redfin called the nation’s “hottest” housing market. (News Tribune)

The Lacey City Council passed a ban on homeless camping in unsanctioned areas. Tents are popping up around Lacey, as with many areas in Western Washington, and Lacey decided to do the opposite of the Seattle appeasement strategy. The ordinance disallows tents and storage of “personal property” in public areas like parks, sidewalks, and other public property. Fines of up to $1,000 or 90-days in jail won’t be enforced until the council develops an appropriate enforcement plan. (MyNorthwest.com)

Yakima will likely approve a plan on Tuesday to launch a program to encourage citizen adoption of solar energy infrastructure on their homes and property. “Solarize Yakima” would be an agreement between the city and a Seattle non-profit called Spark Northwest who would engage a group of citizens to award a contract to a solar company through a public bidding process. It would allow a group purchase of residential solar systems which would drastically reduce the often-restrictive, up-front costs associated with residential solar infrastructure. (Yakima Herald)

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