Washington revenue projections have risen by $159 million, with new revenue forecasts released by the Office of Financial Management showing an additional $79 million expected for the current budget and an additional $80 million in revenue expected during the 2017-19 budget.

Sound Transit spokesperson suggests riders who do not live in taxed districts are freeloaders, saying that people who are not paying Sound Transit taxes should not use the agency’s assets. Washington Policy Center explained the idea, saying, “According to this logic, the Sound Transit Board Chair himself, who lives outside of the taxing district and does not pay Sound Transit’s taxes but might board light rail for a trip in Seattle – is a freeloader.” Will the double-standards of Sound Transit ever end? (Read more here)

Seattle City Councilmembers voted to mandate landlords give voter-registration information to their tenants upon move-in. The proposal was sponsored by socialist Councilmember Kshama Sawant.

Puget Sound Energy has agreed to pay $1.5 million as a settlement after a natural gas explosion wreaked havoc in Seattle last year. The company’s settlement was reduced from $2.75 million on the condition that they inspect and repair 40,000 retired service lines – much like the one that caused the Greenwood explosion last year.

The downtown Spokane homeless camp below Maple Street Bridge was cleared out yesterday by the Spokane Police Department, along with the Code Enforcement and Bridge Operations department.

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.