Saying, “the voters’ will is now stymied by a preliminary injunction,” Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed an emergency motion with the State Supreme Court to overturn a King County judge’s injunction that halted the implementation of I-976.  Ferguson wrote, “Local governments in Washington have several revenue sources available to fund transportation,” and thus the voters’ approved initiative should become law as scheduled on Thursday, December 5^th. (MyNorthwest)

After a 40% decline in enrollment and five years of tuition revenue not meeting budget goals, The Evergreen State College continues to struggle.  Since college administrators allowed students to take over the campus during a 2017 protest, the college has fallen on difficult times, and has reduced the number of professors by 20% by eliminating 34 faculty full time positions. (Seattle Times)

With many close races in November’s general election, including two in Eastern Washington that were tied, the News Tribune speculates on more entertaining ways to settle election contests with no clear winner.  Ideas include penalty kicks, five-card draw, and a dance off.  (News Tribune)

Senator Phil Fortunato (R-Auburn) and Senator Tim Sheldon (D-Shelton) have introduced SJR-8213 which will amend “the Constitution to create a term limit for the office of governor.”  With Governor Inslee’s party in control of the legislature, there is as much chance of this bill passing as bills during the 2019 session demanding that Inslee repay the taxpayers for the added expense of his security team during his failed presidential campaign effort.  (Washington State Legislature Bill Summary)

The public safety concerns are so severe around the King County Courthouse, officials have permanently closed the main entrance to the building.  Due to repeated physical attacks, the 3^rd Avenue entrance has been shut down and the public must use the 4^th Avenue entry.  Is there a clearer symbol that Seattle’s criminal, homeless, mental health, and drug policies are not working then to have the primary entrance to the building that contains our law enforcement and judicial system closed because it is no longer safe for the public? (KIRO-TV)

The Everett City Council will be debating whether to allow low-income housing to be built in a single-family residential area.  Last June, the city placed a moratorium on low-income housing construction in many residential neighborhoods but did not include excess lands held by public entities.  A new proposal to build 34-50 low-income housing on excess property owned by the Everett School District has sparked the latest debate. (Everett Herald)

The Spokane City Council delayed votes on measures that would have severely restricted landlords’ ability to set the rents in housing units they own.  Due to landlords expressing concerns over measures that would have forced them to pay tenants $2,000 if they move due to rent increases, the council decided to hold off voting until March. (Spokesman-Review)

Representative Joe Schmick (R-Colfax) said he expects the farming community will again be under attack from urban legislators during the 2020 legislative session.  Schmick said, “It is very important for us representing the rural areas that we continue to talk about (agriculture’s role in Washington’s economy), and the importance and safety of the food that we grow, for not only our families, but also for people who live in the state of Washington, and elsewhere.” (Washington AG Network)

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