The Morning Briefing – January 18, 2018

Gov. Inslee “wasn’t aware” his Dept. of Licensing routinely shared data with federal immigration enforcement – just add it to the burgeoning “Inslee Didn’t Know” category.

Happening in Olympia

Gov. Inslee “wasn’t aware of how much information DOL was sharing with immigration enforcement agents and should have discussed those details in more depth,” an editorial by The Seattle Times concluded after recently speaking to a spokesperson for the governor’s office. (The Seattle Times)

Bill Watch

Halting union practice of automatically deducting union dues and fees from peoples bank accounts | HB 2751 & SB 6296 | in committee

Reviewing elderly incarcerated offenders for possible early release |HB 1866 | in committee

Prohibiting the spawning, incubation, and cultivation of Atlantic salmon in the marine waters regulated by the state | HB 2260 | in committee

Reducing emissions by making changes to the clean car standards and clean car program | HB 2328

Protecting an open internet in Washington state | HB 2282

Protecting consumers by prohibiting blocking, throttling, or paid prioritization in the provision of internet service in Washington state | HB 2284

Ensuring the neutrality of public employers and state contractors with regard to employees exercising their rights to collectively bargain | SB 6082

Five bills banning high capacity magazines have been proposed. “How do we balance that very real, constitutional right with a public safety crisis that we have with gun violence?” Sen. Jamie Pederson (D-Seattle) asked. (KING 5)

  • Banning trigger modification devices that increase speed of fire from semi-automatic rifles | SB 5992 | in committee
  • Concerning high capacity magazines | SB 6049 & HB 2422 |
  • Relating to local government authority to regulate firearms | SB 6146 & HB 2666 | in committee
  • Enhancing background checks, requiring a state license to own, sell, buy or manufacture assault weapons and large capacity magazines | SB 5444 & HB 1387 | in committee
  • Increasing firearm storage requirements, placing blame for crimes on the owners of firearms | SB 5463 & HB 1122 | Allows the state to charge a person with a crime if a firearm is stolen from them and a criminal subsequently discharges the firearm, “exhibits the firearm in a public place or in an angry, threatening, or careless manner” or “uses the firearm in the commission of a crime.”

Western Washington

The Navy will be paying for a filter system for Coupeville’s well water after chemicals from firefighting foam were found near Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. As a part of the Defense Department’s effort to eliminate contamination in drinking water supplies, they will be footing the bill for designing, installing and operating a filter for the town. (The Seattle Times)

A smoking ban at King County parks and stadiums is being proposed by Councilmember Rod Dembowski. The proposal would expand the ban, which is already in place in Seattle, throughout the rest of the county. (The Stranger)

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan isn’t ruling out a SoDo basketball/hockey arena. The Seattle City Council and Durkan made a deal with the Oak View Group to renovate Key Arena, but Durkan said that doesn’t necessarily mean the SoDo arena proposal is dead. The group for Chris Hansen, the man behind the SoDo arena, says it “will keep the land we own in Seattle’s Stadium District until that commitment [for an NBA team to move to Seattle] has been made.” (MyNorthwest)

Homelessness and rental-assistance programs in Seattle may get an $11 million boost after Mayor Durkan said she plans on using funds from the sale of a South Lake Union property to boost the two programs. If she follows through, $5.5 million of the sales will go toward her Bridge Housing Investment program. (The Seattle Times)

The 2026 World Cup in Seattle? The Seattle City Council passed a resolution to bid for the World Cup. Mayor Durkan responded, “It would be an unprecedented opportunity for our City, our fans, and our region’s economy.” (The Seattle Times)

Eastern Washington

You can only host three yard sales a year in Spokane Valley, under a new “nuisance law” passed by the city council. The limit was pushed forward in response to “several places around the Valley” where garage sales are going on “all day, every day…365 days a year,” according to Councilmember Arne Woodard. (The Spokesman Review)

Chess coaches, mentors and students want to bring the strategy game into schools. “We are in all the private schools, and we’re just beginning to make inroads in public schools. Our goal is to put chess in every elementary school, in every home,” an organizer said. (The Spokesman Review)

National

$2.6 billion would be spent on railroads to install emergency train-stopping technology under the Positive Train Control Implementation and Financing Act. (The Seattle Times)

Like what you read?

Do you like The Morning Briefing? Forward this to a friend! It helps us grow our community and serve you better.

If you feel we missed something that should be covered, email us at [email protected].

If you don’t want to receive this email each morning, click here to opt-out of The Morning Briefing.

Share: