Tell us your Hirst story: click here. We want to know how the Hirst decision might affect you or those you know. Your stories will help us stand up for rural families by sharing the real impact of Hirst.

“We’re better served by a split government, where no single party is in complete control,” former Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom wrote in an op-ed to The Seattle Times. “For our businesses to thrive, they need predictability and moderation… the Senate Majority Coalition advanced the nation’s only four-year balanced-budget requirement, which became law. No longer can budgets be gamed by making large bills due the day after a two-year budget cycle ends.” (Read more here)

Seattle’s attempt to use democracy vouchers to “get big money out of politics” is failing to actually remove “big money” from politics – as evidenced by the hundreds of thousands of dollars poured into PACs leading up to the primary election by corporations such as Amazon. (Read more here)

Jim Jensen still hasn’t taken down his campaign signs, despite having the last seven weeks to remove the signs. Jensen promised he would drop out of the race earlier this year after tweeting racist and other crude statements – but his name is still technically on the ballot, meaning people are still able to vote for him.

People living in south Tacoma have more hospitalizations than the state average for ailments that, with better medical care and preventative measures, could have been prevented. Treating these ailments has cost our state millions of dollars according to a study by the Office of Financial Management.

Legislation introduced by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) would work to save the Snake River Dams by keeping the Federal Columbia River Biological Opinion in place until a new piece of legislation would be able to take its place. “Legislation is needed to protect the Snake River dams and the renewable, carbon-free affordable and reliable hydropower provided to our customers,” Benton’s Public Utility District commissioner said.

Spokane may increase utility fees by 2.9 percent, a decision that will be voted on during the City Council meeting tonight. The legislation would increase rates through 2020.

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