Senator Steve O’Ban (R – Piece County) says Attorney General Bob Ferguson must recuse his office and himself in defending I-976 from court challenges being waged by his fellow Democrats.  In a letter to the AG, O’Ban stated that Ferguson has too many conflicts (already in litigation against I-976’s sponsor and currently in court proceedings defending the car tab fees) to “approach legal challenges to Initiative 976 free of bias.”  O’Ban stated the AG needs to hire outside counsel to defend I-976 in court. (O’Ban letter)

Votes rejecting R-88 are currently ahead by 13,000 ballots. With an estimated 100,000 ballots still to count, voters appear to be rejecting the 2019 Legislature’s attempt to bring back affirmative action to the state.  With King County counting most of its ballots by last Friday evening, a higher percentage of the remaining ballots come from counties which have been rejecting the referendum. (Kitsap Sun)

The lack of wind for eight straight days shows the need in the Pacific Northwest for dams and the hydroelectric power they generate.  Starting on Halloween, wind generated only 0.35% of the region’s power and energy created by dams was needed to make up for the deficiency. (Tri-City Herald)

Senator Maureen Walsh (R-College Place) announced she will be retiring at the end of her term in January 2021.  Walsh, who was a state representative from 2005-2017, represented the 16^th legislative district one term in the senate. (Walla Walla Union Bulletin)

With victories from Kshama Sawant and Lisa Herbold in last week’s Seattle City Council elections, another battle over corporate taxes is expected.  Over the weekend Sawant said, “I look forward to working with the new City Council to urgently pass a strong tax” to pay for more failed policies intended to help the city’s homeless.  Expect Amazon to move more of its jobs out of Seattle to other locations. (Seattle Times)

After a two-week delay for councilmembers to study amendments, the Tacoma City Council will take up a new guns and ammo tax on Tuesday.  The primary measure would place a $25 tax on guns and $0.02 – $0.05 on ammunition sold in the city.  Guns shops owners have said they will close their stores and the CEO of gun manufacturer Areo-Precision stated he might close his 450-employee facility. (MyNorthwest)

Two Spokane Councilmembers displayed petty behavior towards Mayor David Congdon’s offer of city resources to Mayor-elect Nadine Woodward transition team.  Congdon offered resources that are “agreed upon and requested, in accordance with a legal review and substantiated by the Municipal Research and Services Center.” Despite these assurances, Councilmembers Cadace Mumm and Lori Kinnear stated opposition due to Woodward has yet to receive human resource training. (Spokesman Review)

A new 65 room hotel and fast food restaurant are being constructed in George.  The Wyndam Hotel will be open next June and will capture business from those attending shows at the nearby Gorge Amphitheater and from cross state travelers. (iFIBER One)

The City of Spokane Valley is considering shorter park hours and a camping ban to combat the growing problem of homelessness in its open spaces.  If passed on Tuesday, the new laws will be enforced once the city finds space in shelters (in order to meet a federal court’s guidelines). (Spokesman-Review)

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