King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan were joined by unions and local businesses to announce their opposition to I-976, the $30 car tab initiative. According to the Public Disclosure Commission website, the No campaign has raised over $1.3 million while the Yes campaign has raised $60k (MyNorthwest and the PDC)

Seattle School District Superintendent Denise Juneau fired back at the Seattle City Council for passing a resolution urging the district to excuse the absences of students participating in Friday’s Climate Strike.  The superintendent stated, “We cannot excuse the absence from school, as it does not meet the criteria of an excused absence as defined by state law.”  Juneau continued, “It might help for you to understand our perspective and limitations before you publicly pass resolutions. I know I would appreciate a heads-up.” (MyNorthwest)

A Seattle police officer filed a $10 million claim against the City of Seattle for exposing him to “extremely dangerous man-made toxins” while cleaning up a homeless encampment.  The officer states that he was exposed to the toxic chemical compounds polychlorinated biphenyls which he believes caused subsequent health problems. (Seattle Times)

Mayor David Condon and Council President Ben Stuckart say there is no need to suspend Spokane’s “Sit-Lie” ordinance.  Last winter the city suspended the law due to protests from homeless advocates.  A federal court recently ruled that shelter space must be available before police can cite people for violating similar laws.  A City spokesperson stated, “The sit-lie ordinance was written very carefully to only allow enforcement when there is no available shelter space. That means that once again, suspension of the ordinance is not necessary.”  (Spokesman-Review)

Embattled Wapato Mayor Dora Alvarez-Roa is demanding back-pay of $1,000 a month even though the council had reduced the pay to $1 a month almost a year ago.   The mayor believes the pay ordinance was not published and thus was not officially changed.  Alverez-Roa is a central figure in the city’s current financial crises which has led to numerous criminal investigations. (KCPQ 13)

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