Rep. Jim Walsh (R-Aberdeen) and Rep. Drew MacEwen (R-Union) have proposed a bill to ban Atlantic salmon net pens after more than 100,000 non-native Atlantics escaped last summer. Walsh calls the situation “an emergency.” (The Seattle Times)

Gov. Inslee sure is trying to expand his national presence…is he eying a run for President? “I think his profile has grown and this is an important time to show some national leadership,” a former employee of the governor told KING 5 recently. Jay Inslee for President? Resist the urge to chortle…ah, never mind, go for it. (KING 5)

AG Bob Ferguson is also hunting for more national headlines, this time suing the EPA for postponing air-quality standards. Ferguson argues the agency “has violated the Clean Air Act.” (The Seattle Times)

Sen. Honeyford (R-Sunnyside) introduced a bill that would bar the state from “paying for salaries with state debt.” He explained, “we value our state employees and we have to make sure – that as a rule – we are paying for their salaries out of the main state operating budget.” (Washington State Wire)

Verizon stores throughout the state have been targeted as the designated sites for net neutrality protests. Evan Greer, with Fight for the Future, said Verizon is being targeted because of “the company’s role lobbying to kill rules that prevent telecom giants from charging extra fees, engaging in censorship, or controlling what Internet users see and do through discriminatory throttling.” (MyNorthwest)

Washington gained permission to sue the Northwest Detention Center’s operator, GEO Group, over the $1-a-day wage they pay inmates for janitorial and kitchen work. (MyNorthwest)

Seattle’s viaduct may start “substantial demolition in early 2019,” according to Joe Hedges, Alaskan Way Viaduct administrator. (MyNorthwest)

Seattle stepped another foot closer to renovating Key Arena yesterday after Mayor Jenny Durkan signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Oak View Group regarding a $600 million renovation. (The Seattle Times)

Seattle’s housing market continues to rise, with single-bedroom condos now ringing in at $500,000 a piece in King County.  (The Seattle Times)

Overall, Seattle ranks in the top 5 for most expensive rents in the nation. Tacoma prices are also rising, with the average rent ringing in at $1,054 there. (The Seattle Times)

Puget Sound Energy’s electric rates will rise by 1% in some areas, while natural gas rates will drop 3.9%. The state utilities commission and PSE also reached agreement on cleaning up the Colstrip coal plant area in Montana. (The Seattle Times)

Gov. Inslee announced he opposes a bill that would ban the breaching of four dams along the Snake River. The bill’s sponsors, including Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Spokane) and Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Sunnyside), want to bring certainty to irrigators and others by taking the breaching option off the table. (MyNorthwest)

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