SB 5838 would use $500 million from the sale of bonds to help restore state parks over the next eight years. The bill, which previously passed the Senate, was introduced into the House this week.

Washington 49^th out of 50 in the nation for tax transparency. Economist Dick Conway set up a system to rank transparency in tax structure and Washington taxes reported as 55% transparent. Taxes on businesses were given the lowest transparency score in the ranking.

Seattle City Council will vote today on upzoning buildings in the Belltown, downtown and South Lake Union. The new developments would be required to contain rent-restricted apartments or pay the city to create rent-restricted units in other buildings.

Spokane City Council is voting on an ordinance tonight that would grant them more control over money seized by police from suspected criminals. The measure would be the first like it. City Councilman Breean Beggs said it would, “be a beacon to other cities, to say this is how you do it.” Between 2012 and 2015, the Spokane Police Department brought in around $170,000 each year from seizing money from suspected criminals, or “local asset forfeiture.”

Gov. Inslee wrote to the Trump Administration and FEMA to ask for money to cover damages sustained during storms in Eastern Washington. Inslee is asking for help to cover the damages in 15 counties, which together totaled around $27 million in storm damages.

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