This week we sit down with Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler (R-Ritzville).  The Senator lays out the caucus’ 2020 agenda and talks about his experience in being one of the few remaining farmers in the Washington Legislature. (ShiftWA)

The Washington State Association of Counties is suing Washington State over the cost of installing and maintaining state ordered ballot boxes.  The counties argue the state law that requires the ballot boxes violates Washington’s unfunded mandate laws.  The counties believe state statutes require the legislature to provide funding for any new or expanded service the state imposes on local governments. (Everett Herald)

Tim Eyman’s attorney questions State Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s tactics in defending the voter approved I-976 from court challenges.  Specifically, the attorney is concerned with a stipulation between the AG and the plaintiffs to not allow outside motions in the case which may prevent other counties from expressing their support for the voters’ decision. (MyNorthwest)

The Washington State Department of Transportation is reassessing its unrealistic goal of having zero traffic fatalities by 2030.  This coming to reality moment is due to an 18.4% increase in traffic fatalities and an 11.4% increase in traffic injuries over the past five years.  Comments from department officials have suggested that reduction in funds from the passage of I-976 may hamper its ability to meet the goal. This fails to explain why the recent increase in fatalities and injuries occurred during years the car tab fees were providing maximum revenue, but it does allow them to cover their own behinds by blaming the voters. (iFIBER One)

A petition to impeach Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson has received over 6,000 signatures in its first 24 hours.  The petition, created by a Kennewick resident, states the officials have not protected citizens 2^nd Amendment rights. (YakTriNews)

The Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association (PNWCTA) says not to believe the rumors that the region will run out of Christmas trees this year.  A PNWCTA spokesperson said, “I can tell you there is no situation different this year than there has been in the past several years.  There has been, admittedly a tighter supply, but everyone has gotten a tree over the past couple of years and everyone will get a tree this year as well.” (Washington AG Network)

Dow Constantine has had a difficult month as King County Executive. First, the on-going controversy on how Constantine uses his security detail resurfaced when Constantine was discovered in a West Seattle bar on a Friday afternoon having drinks with a woman while his security detail waited outside.  Then the county admitted it is failing to meet court-ordered requirements to improve water treatment procedures and thus allowing more untreated water to flow into Puget Sound (to go along with the county falling short in meeting its 2020 greenhouse gas emissions goal by 90%). Then the county’s courthouse closed its main entrance due to security reasons partially caused by county policies.  Finally, the Constantine administration’s “acting director” for the county’s homeless agency (who has held the job for 23 months) hired a drag queen to perform a semi-nude “cultural” routine at a conference that was aimed at solving the region’s serious homeless problem. (MyNorthwest, Seattle Times, ShiftWA, KING5 News, and C is for Crank)

Due to ”several complaints,” the U.S. Department of Transportation is conducting an audit on federal funds received by the Seattle Department of Transportation.  Seattle receives funds directly from the federal government and from funds first sent to Washington State.  The city is currently attempting to obtain federal funding for several projects, including the over-budget and past due First Avenue Streetcar. (Seattle Times)

The Bellingham City Council waited until after the recent election to let the pubic know of its unrealistic goal of “100% renewable energy.”  The council will begin discussing proposals suggested by the volunteer Climate Action Task Force at its January 14^th meeting. (Bellingham Herald)

The Seattle Times Editorial was right to criticize the King County Council’s recent action as “shockingly expensive” when it decided to spend $600,000 to re-open its 3^rd Avenue entrance.  To place two police officers outside the entrance should not cost taxpayers $100,000 a month.  Metro Transit officers and Seattle Police will also increase their patrols in the area. Yet, shouldn’t this have done previously where there has been a well-known problem for years?  (Seattle Times)

The Tacoma City Council is considering revisions to its tax exemption incentives for apartment developers.  The council is looking for ways to encourage more units for low-income residents.  Developers are not opposed to the measures.  Yet since these revisions will impact their revenues, they would like to have more input from lending firms which finance the construction. (News Tribune)

Starting January 2^nd, the Seattle Public Library will stop collecting daily fines for overdue books.  Taxpayers will pay the lost revenue from the change in policy. If books are not returned 14 days past the due date, then the patron’s library account will be suspended.  If the book is 31 days past due, then the patron will be charged for a “lost item.” (Seattle Times)

The Spokane City Council continues to expand its role in city government by reallocating city funds to increase the size of its staff.  The last-minute proposal contains several new council staff positions, including an additional spokesperson and research assistants. Outgoing mayor David Condon is upset with the obvious power grab from the council and concerned about the timing of the proposal.  The final council vote on the budget is next Monday. (Spokesman-Review)

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