While liberals continue to talk about rent control, their desire for more tax revenue continues to raise the cost of renting.  During the 2019 session the Democrat controlled legislature replaced the previous 2% real estate excise tax with a graduated tax that could go as high as 3%.  This could add hundreds to the annual cost of rent.  The new tax rate structure goes into effect next year. (The Lens)

Someone at the House Democrat caucus has not kept up to date on the latest politically correct acronyms.  On Friday during the annual “Coming Out” day, the caucus posted a tweet in which they say they were honoring those in the LBGTQ community.  Problem is they specified “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer.”  Those at the Democrat House caucus need further training to learn the “Q” stands for “questioning.” (Twitter)

Washington state Fish and Wildlife Commission is considering removing catch restrictions on bass and walleye.  This is part of the domino effect of helping the Puget Sound orca.  Bass and other warm water fish consume young chinook salmon which are a major staple of the orca diet.  The commission will meet next Saturday in Olympia to decide.  (Spokesman-Review)

Currently the King Library System spends nearly $1 million on providing free printing to library users.   This will likely change next year when the number of free pages a week a user can print will be reduced from 75 to 10.  Even though a library spokesperson admitted that “A million dollars is a lot of money,” the reduction is not planned to save taxpayers’ money but to reduce paper consumption. (Bellevue Reporter)

Snohomish County Prosecutor Adam Cornell is attempting to reverse county policies and resume prosecuting those holding less than 2 grams of a controlled substance.  Cornell is seeking additional funding for his office so that the threat of prosecution is there for those who habitually fail to obtain treatment. (MyNorthwest)

After receiving word that current King County measures have only reduced greenhouse gas emissions by just 1.4% (far short of the county’s 25% reduction goal), county officials are doubling down on their failed policies.  End of last week a few members of the county council made public their latest proposals, called “Jump Start,” that will also do very little to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but will continue to increase the size of government. (Rod’s Report)

The Washington Policy Center has published its “Citizens’ Guide to Spokane’s Proposition 1.”  The report provides a short analysis on the impact of bringing the city’s negotiations out of secrecy and into view of the taxpayers. (Washington Policy Center)

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