New carbon tax initiative says it’s not a tax, performance can’t be measured.

Lefties in Washington have some real hang-ups when it comes to telling the truth about taxes. The capital gains income tax isn’t an income tax, they insist. Seattle’s (illegal) local income tax doesn’t tax net income, they somehow argue. Now their new environmental initiative I-1631, which would institute a tax on carbon, doesn’t contain a tax at all, according to them. (Shift WA)

Dale Peinecke, head of the state Employment Security Department, resigned yesterday following a report alleging inappropriate behavior toward female employees. “Subordinate employees have felt they had to tolerate Mr. Peinecke’s physical gestures because of his position,” the report said. (Seattle Times)

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan is asking city departments to trim budgets by as much as 5 percent next year. Durkan says she is requesting the cuts because the city created new programs in recent years with unsustainable revenue sources. “But these boom times won’t last and our current spending isn’t sustainable under our current projections,” she said. (Seattle Times)

Mill Creek city councilmember Jared Mead announced his bid to challenge state Rep. Mark Harmsworth (R-Mill Creek) in the 44^th Legislative District. Mead, a Democrat, is a new to office, having just won election to the city council in November. (Everett Herald)

Though it ultimately passed, some state lawmakers pushed back against the amended version of the Initiative to the Legislature 940 – related to the use of deadly force by police. Legislators were worried about the unconstitutional nature of the bill’s passage because it did not adhere to the three options available to the Legislature in the handling of initiatives. Tim Eyman has already filed a lawsuit against the bill. (Everett Herald)

Branden Durst, a Democratic candidate for the state House in the 29^th District, was unendorsed by Tacoma City Councilman Chris Beale. The councilmember pulled his endorsement after learning Durst’s ex-wife was previously granted temporary protective orders against Durst. (News Tribune)

After previously committing to only spend funds through its normal budget process, the Benton County Commission announced it would spend some of its reserve fund on public safety projects. The county attributed the higher-than-expected reserve fund to a boom in sales tax revenue. (Tri-City Herald)

Former Wapato police chief Dave Simmons is launching a campaign for Yakima County Sheriff. Simmons also spent 26 years on Zillah’s police force, with 10 of those as chief. (Yakima Herald-Republic)

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