Lawmakers may have finished a budget deal, but have yet to release details. Initial reports said the public could expect to receive more information on the budget today at noon, but that may no longer be the case. Either way, lawmakers have until midnight tomorrow to pass a budget before the government shutdown goes into effect.

Lawmakers will have an increased role in the collective bargaining process for state employee union contracts under SB 5969. “There will be more transparency. There will be more legislative input and oversight,” Sen. Steve Hobbs (D-Lake Stevens) said of the new bill.

Regence Blue Shield health insurance is no longer offering individual coverage in our state. This does not impact people who are insured under Regence through their employers.

Seattle’s democracy voucher program, which is part of a liberal attempt at campaign finance reform, is under fire once again as the city is hit with a lawsuit. “The so-called ‘democracy vouchers’ could not be more undemocratic or unconstitutional,” Pacific Legal Foundation attorney who is representing the two property owners bringing the suit against Seattle said. “You can’t be forced to engage in political expression or advocacy that is contrary to your convictions.”

Ivar’s may be staying at Sea-Tac after around 11,000 people complained to the Port of Seattle. Ivar’s will be temporarily operating out of a kiosk and the complaints have led the Port to reconsider how they evaluate companies under consideration for the airport terminals.

More people moved into Seattle last year than the total of people who moved into all of King County’s suburbs, increasing the Seattle population by 15.4% since the start of 2000.

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