Bring on the Cowboys
Happening in Olympia
Gov. Inslee and legislative Democrats seem determined to re-create inequitable K-12 funding – the very reason the state has lost landmark education funding cases over the years. Allowing high local levies leads to vastly different funding levels between wealthy and poor school districts, which is why the state was on the losing end in the Doran and McCleary lawsuits. “Those levy proposals would put Washington back on the path toward woefully inequitable school funding,” the Seattle Times ed board writes of Inslee’s plans. “And probably another school funding lawsuit.” (Seattle Times)
State Sen. Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) wants the dead to do their part for the environment. Pedersen’s bill would allow a process known as “recomposition,” which involves placing bodies in a vessel and hastening their decomposition into a nutrient-dense soil – a way of dealing with human remains that is better for the environment than burial. (NBC News)
Western Washington
Wondering why your Taco Time tots are more expensive in Seattle? Blame the City Council. Due to tax increases and a rising minimum wage, the company says its costs for food, labor and taxes are 11 percent higher at its six Seattle restaurants than at other locations around the state. Grocers, restaurants and small businesses are all feeling the pinch in Seattle city limits. (Seattle Times)
“It’s going to be horrible for pretty much everyone unless we can figure out some small changes we can all make,” Seattle councilmember Mike O’Brien said about the upcoming viaduct closure. In roughly two weeks the Alaskan Way Viaduct will permanently close. “Obviously if you’re someone who uses 99 now you’re going to have to think directly what you do differently, but a lot of those vehicles will go to I-5,” O’Brien said. (My Northwest)
Eastern Washington
After Spokane County Board of Commissioners voted to bring transparency to collective bargaining negotiations, Matthew Hayward with the Freedom Foundation says it’s a model the rest of the state should follow. “Greater openness in negotiations ensures both sides behave reasonably and encourages them to reach agreement collaboratively, not confrontationally,” he wrote. (The Spokesman-Review)
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