“My disappointment is in the education unions that saw the big infusion of state dollars as an opportunity to pressure school districts into giving massive salary increases.” State Senate Republican Leader, Mark Schoesler (R-Ritzville), debunked the myth that schools are facing funding issues due to a lack of state investment and that the only way out is through a hike in property taxes. “If the Legislature raises the school-levy lid, it will eventually take our state back to the future, to a time when school districts with higher property valuations again have a distinct advantage over other districts when it comes to raising dollars locally. (Spokesman-Review)

King County is looking to change how it delivers maternity support and nutrition services to low-income women with infants. The program is administered through county public-health centers, has seen participation decline of more than 35 percent in recent years. “For decades, these programs have benefited mothers with low incomes and their children by providing extra support for healthy pregnancies, births and early childhood development,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. (Seattle Times)

“We were asking ourselves, ‘What is Seattle doing? Everybody knows you can’t do this,” said Washington Policy Center for Government Reform Director Jason Mercier. According to Mercier, the Seattle City Council knew long before it passed the income tax that it blatantly went against the Washington State Constitution. Emails between Councilmember Sally Bagshaw and her husband revealed they were well aware that such a tax would be immediately challenged in the courts. (MyNorthwest)

The Seattle City Council amended a $213 million library levy, that already pays for overdue library book fines, to include an additional $5.8 million. “By renewing our shared investments in The Seattle Public Library, we can lift up the places where communities come together, open up doors to learning, and make Seattle a more equitable place to live,” Mayor Jenny Durkan said. (MyNorthwest)

A Sunnyside solar energy project will receive $500,000 from the state Department of Commerce. “It kind of signals how we are not involved in these projects early in the game. As it gets completed, we get connected and the power goes on the grid,” said involved in the project. OneEnergy will use the grant to develop the energy project, which is expected to sell power to PacifiCorp. (Yakima Herald)

Do you like The Morning Briefing? Forward this to a friend! It helps us grow our community and serve you better.

If you feel we missed something that should be covered, email us at morningbriefing@shiftwa.org.

If you don’t want to receive this email each morning, click here to opt-out of The Morning Briefing.