A new poll shows that 60% of Washington’s residents are not willing to pay for higher electricity rates in exchange for removing the Snake River dams. And of those who are willing to pay more, 63% said they do not want to pay more than $20 a month.  The poll was conducted by the Washington Policy Center.  The survey also revealed that only 5% of the state’s citizens are aware that salmon population in the lower Snake River are increasing and that only 7% knew there were four dams on the waterway. (Washington Policy Center)

Even though Governor Inslee declared a death penalty moratorium on convicted murders, his Department of Corrections’ (DOC) medical procedures have resulted in the death of another prisoner.  Following reports last summer that at least three inmates died at the Monroe Correctional Complex due to medical negligence, it appears another prisoner has died for similar reasons.  A new report states an inmate died last June, 15 months after a cancerous lump was discovered and no treatment was provided.  DOC medical staff and administration continuously ignored the patient’s requests for medical assistance.  (Seattle Times)

Meanwhile, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson is now investigating the death of a disabled woman at a state-subsidized Spokane supported-living facility.  The woman was given vinegar instead of medication and died as the result. (Spokesman-Review)

Marijuana trade group says the state is not ready for delivery of cannabis products.  Because marijuana is a cash-only business (due to federal banking laws), the Washington CannaBusiness Association’s biggest concern with marijuana delivery is driver safety.  (News Tribune)

Representative Carolyn Eslick (R-Sultan) has introduced legislation allowing “cottage food” businesses to make $50,000 before they come under state food processing laws.  Current state law caps these small businesses to earn only $25,000 annually. (Capital Press)

Dow Constantine’s director of King County’s homeless agency (All Home) has resigned due to hiring a stripper to perform at a conference which was held to discuss the region’s growing homeless crises.  The King County Executive has failed to take responsibility for his administration’s actions and has instead hidden from public accountability over this embarrassing episode. (Seattle Times)

Despite the region’s economic boom and spending billions of tax dollars on mass transit, there are signs that ridership has been stagnant and even declining on some public transportation modes.  “Most of the progress this decade was before 2015. Light rail ridership was lower last quarter than a year ago.  Bus ridership has been moving sideways since 2016. Despite large investments in off-peak service hours, non-work trips by transit aren’t growing.  Where transit ridership is growing, it’s not always keeping pace with population growth.”  (Seattle Transit Blog)

More information is being disclosed regarding the alleged theft of $6.9 million dollars by the finance director of the Pierce County Housing Authority.  Cova Campbell originally stated that she took the money because she was instructed by her boss to do so (no evidence supports this claim). Campbell and her husband used some of the money to buy land in Oklahoma.  The Housing authority only has $500,000 insurance coverage for employee theft. (News Tribune)

Everett is once again considering the installation of “red-light cameras” as a safety measure at seven intersections.  In 2008 Everett scrapped a similar proposal due to citizen concerns that the cameras were a “cash grab” from the fines paid from infractions. (Everett Herald)

The Port of Moses Lake named a local man to become its new Executive Director.  Don Kersey, formally the plant manager for Joyson Safety Systems, will be taking the helm of the Port, which is at the center of much of the region’s economic development and job creation.  (Columbia Basin Herald)

The national trend of fewer babies being born after the 2009 recession will have an effect on college enrollment in the next ten years.  This will impact Wenatchee Valley College, which has already experienced a decline in enrollment the past few years. (iFIBER One)

In order to scare people to contribute, the Washington State Democrats need to push the false narrative that Republicans want to put “a moat along the border wall filled with snakes and alligators and shooting immigrants crossing the border.”  Evidently that is a better argument for raising money than telling people the truth about the Democrat agenda in Olympia – establish an income tax and try to kill jobs with yet another energy tax to raise the price of gas. (Washington State Democrat Party email)

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