Legislation introduced would eliminate questions about criminal records on job applications. The bill would still allow background checks but would prevent employers from inquiring about criminal history as a basic criteria for applying for a job. There are exemptions to the bill with regards to jobs involving children under 18 or vulnerable adults as well as state and federal workers. King County has already passed similar legislation.

Five bills have been introduced in the House by Democrats who have realized the danger of Sound Transit’s car tab tax freedom. When the tax-loving side of the aisle is condemning ST3, you know the taxes were out of control. Neither chamber has passed a bill that would solve the car tab fee problem yet, although the Senate has introduced legislation that would reform ST3 – the tax and the board – in an attempt to remedy the problem with the organization.

SB 5811 would expand the Involuntary Treatment Act and could force heroin and opioid users into treatment. Sponsored by Senator Steve O’Ban (R-University Place), the bill would legalize the detainment of a person who has “had three or more arrests connected to substance abuse, had one or more hospitalizations related to drug abuse or if they have three or more visible track marks indicating intravenous heroin use.” 37 states have laws similar to this already in place. Senator O’Ban said the bill may not advance during this session but was relieved to get the wheels rolling on the idea

The University of Washington is still the best school in the country for teaching primary care, family medicine and rural medicine according to rankings released by US News & World Report. They are also ranked in the top ten for programs specializing in drug and alcohol abuse, geriatrics, pediatrics and internal medicine.

Kansas has joined Washington in determining that lawmakers have failed to provide adequate funding for education. Kansas does not have a specific number to meet but have been given until the end of June to remedy the under-funded schools. The courts determined that one-fourth of public school students are failing to learn the basic math and reading skills needed. The original lawsuit in Kansas was filed in 2010.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray thinks, “if you’re pro-choice and pro-life,” you should support “safe” injection sites because “it just keeps people alive.” Murray is still pushing for “safe” injection sites – despite admitting he doesn’t know for sure if they will work. One user of the Vancouver “safe” injection sites that Murray used to make his decision, has “been a junkie since (he was) 12 years old,” and claims that, “anything else you want to get your hands on – this is the place.” Would a “safe” site be enabling more drug use?

An eight-lane street in front of the downtown Seattle ferry terminal on Alaskan Way will move forward in place of the viaduct once it is torn down. Previously challenged by the Alliance for Pioneer Square, the organization dropped their legal challenge when the city of Seattle agreed to remove two bus lanes from the street. The road will be comprised of four general traffic lanes, two ferry turn lanes and two lanes for Sound Transit. We can only imagine an eight-lane street in Seattle will look like this at all times:

1,500 people in Spokane got a text message yesterday saying there was a warrant out for their arrest. The Spokane Municipal Court sent corrections out within the hour of realizing the texts had been mistakenly sent out. Court administrator Howard Delaney blamed the error on technology, saying, “It’s kind of one of those things that you try to do some new customer service things and there are some glitches in the process,” noting they changed processes to prevent the texts from erroneously being sent out again.

The Spokane City Council is considering legislation to prevent landlords from turning away tenants who use housing vouchers. The legislation is combined with other measures as a package deal in an attempt to prevent discrimination in various fields; employment, policing and more.

The snowplow plan for next winter will change in Spokane after the City Council voted to speed up full-city plowing and plow around schools, hospitals and downtown first. The vote was unanimous in favor of the changes after the council received calls and heard testimony from people asking for a change.

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Spokane) says the report topping headlines claiming 14 million people will lose health insurance with the new GOP healthcare plan “doesn’t tell the whole story.” McMorris Rodgers explained the Congressional Budget Office report, “doesn’t take into account future actions Congress and the Administration will take to further lower costs and increase coverage options.”

FUSE is offering to pay $175-$225 for volunteers to disrupt public events attended by Republican Members of Congress. An email sent by volunteer activist Summer Montacute asked volunteers to attend a Washington Trade Conference event in Seattle to “disrupt” the event included a plea, “Please do not forward or share widely!” FUSE has been rallying protestors against Republicans in Congress for not holding town halls, claiming it is an injustice, but ignoring the Democrats who are also not holding town halls.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed a complaint against President Trump’s latest travel ban and is told he would not see a hearing before next Wednesday, meaning he can’t stop the ban from taking effect this week. Ferguson is joined by five other states in his lawsuit. Hawaii has filed a separate lawsuit, which is scheduled for tomorrow.

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