House passes a bill that complies with the REAL ID Act, which requires states to include security enhancements in the process of granting driver’s licenses and ID cards that would prove people are legal citizenship and residence. “There’s more work to be done,” Senator Curtis King (R-Yakima) said. Washington has been granted one last extension to comply with federal ID requirements before residents will have to carry passports or enhanced driver’s licenses to be allowed onto domestic flights.

Campaign finance complaints have been made against Rep. Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds), Rep. Jeff Morris (D-Anacortes) and former candidate Sharlaine LaClair. Peterson failed to disclose both expenses and campaign debt and was late in reporting. Morris failed to disclose contributions on time and LaClair failed to disclose over $30,000 in debt, among other campaign finance failures.

King County Executive Dow Constantine hit a massive roadblock with his proposed sales tax yesterday. The Metropolitan County Council budget chairman, Councilmember Dave Upthegrove, would not allow the proposal for a 0.1 percent county-sales-tax increase to be considered for a vote.

Tacoma ranks 4th city in nation for highest percentage of rent increase this last year. Rent increases in Seattle have rippled through down into Tacoma, raising rents in March by 10.6% compared to March last year. Rents are expected to rise even more with the installation of Sound Transit’s light rail as the city becomes more accessible for commuters.

Seattle City Light was $43 million over budget and 11 months late to launch last year. Seattle City Auditor David Jones said the tardy launch and fees were because of, “an unrealistic initial schedule, additions to the score, project staff who were challenged by the project’s size and complexity, and project leaders’ decisions to prioritize quality over timeliness.” Seattle City Light, Sound Transit, Westpoint Treatment Center…the list of taxpayer money black holes continues to grow.

Seattle Center Arena has been demolished so that construction can begin on a $60 million opera house expansion.

Spokane County commissioners are using $1.2 million to create a water bank in response to the Hirst decision. The water bank would be used to buy and sell water rights so that they can obtain a water supply adequate enough for building permits. The idea is the county would buy water rights from property owners who are not using their water and are willing to sell it so that property owners who need the water rights have an option to buy them.

Former State Senator Don Benton (R-Vancouver) will be nominated to lead Selective Service System. Benton was initially chosen as a senior adviser to the 124-person staffed EPA for the Trump Administration. This nomination would suggest that Benton will be leaving his post with the EPA to serve in his new position.

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