Representative Drew Stokesbary (R-Auburn) has proposed allowing local governments to decide what works best in their community, including ability to increase sales tax to fund homeless programs.  Stokesbary’s proposal states that local governments could collect this revenue only if they prohibit safe heroin injection sites and don’t allow unsanctioned homeless encampments within 500 feet of schools, parks, or courthouses. Seems almost too reasonable to pass a Democrat-controlled legislature. (Seattle Times)

Both the Washington State Senate and House of Representatives are hiring additional staff and altering procedures to handle the increase in public records requests.  The Washington State Supreme Court ruled in December that individual legislators are subject to the Public Records Act, rejecting legislators’ arguments that they were special.  Both the Senate and House are hiring an additional public information officer to handle requests and legislators are having to revise how they conduct business to allow for more efficient record keeping. (AP) 

John Carlson argues that it might be best to allow the voters of the 4^th Legislative District decide if Representative Matt Shea should continue to represent them in Olympia.  If the Democrat-controlled House can convince enough Republicans to expel Shea (66 votes are needed) for his alleged “domestic terrorist activities,” there might be a backlash from the Spokane Valley voters which could return Shea to the House in November.  The state constitution says the legislature cannot expel a member twice.  Former Republican Representative Leonard Christian has announced he will challenge Shea. (Crosscut)

Less than 10% of plastics are recycled while most end up in landfills or are burned.  Local governments encourage residents to recycle many plastics which are not recyclable, to make it more convenient, then pull the nonrecyclables at great expense to the taxpayers. Previously Americans shipped some nonrecyclable plastics to China, but the Chinese government is no longer accepting these materials. (WBUR)

A work group formed by Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal has recommended that all public schools provide a “comprehensive sexual health education” to all students, beginning in kindergarten.  The Comprehensive Sexual Health Education work group made this suggestion, despite 54% of 10,000 surveyed opposing the recommendation. Guess liberals only listen to voters when they agree with them. (MyNorthwest)

The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) proposed by Governor Jay Inslee will raise the price of gasoline far more than the 1 cent per gallon which the governor has promised – and he knows it.  Analysis of similar proposals in California and Oregon – the only two states in the country which have forced such an inefficient policy on their citizens – suggest the actual increase will be much more and grow every year, and studies in Washington State suggest an LCFS could cost drivers up to 57 cents a gallon.  The governor also promises that jobs will be created by this measure, but evidence strongly suggests these jobs will never materialize. (Washington Policy Center)

The City of Lakewood will fine stores up to $200 for each shopping cart found abandoned in the community.  Shopping carts are often stolen from retailers and used by homeless individuals to transport belongings. The carts become public eyesores and nuisances once they are abandoned.  Many shop owners are upset with the ordinance, which they believe penalizes retailers after they were theft victims. (News Tribune)

Phillips 66 and Renewable Energy Group, Inc have announced that they will “discontinuing their joint effort to construct a large-scale renewable diesel plant in Ferndale, Washington.” The companies stated that the project “has been canceled due to permitting delays and uncertainties.” More jobs lost due to the Washington State Department of Ecology.  (Phillips 66 News Release)

An Everett man is the first known American to have contracted the deadly novel coronavirus. Last week the man returned home from China, where 6 people have died from the virus. (Everett Herald)

Students without proper vaccinations are still attending school.  A new state law regarding student vaccinations went into effect this year requiring students to prove they have received vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella.  About 2% of the Tacoma School District’s students are not in compliance.  English as a second language students and those who are homeless are exempt, while students who are new to the district have 30 days to provide the necessary documentation. (News Tribune)

Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward has found common ground with the city council to open a new police precinct downtown and make law enforcement more visible to deter crime.  New councilmember Michael Cathcart wants to open a more visible precinct in his district as well, but Police Chief Craig Meidl is concerned about spreading police resources too thin. Spokesman-Review)

Kittitas County maximizes its lodging taxes, then pools the money received by local governments to provide the funding for projects that bring in more tourists.  Over $250,000 in taxes was brought in last year and will be distributed through grants to local tourist organizations and events. (Ellensburg Record)

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