Initiative update: The cash, the court, and who screwed up I-1639 so badly

Shift takes a look at who is funding the four initiatives on this fall’s ballot and the intense court fights over two of them – including one major screw-up. (Shift WA)

“It’s not legal for teachers, or any public employee, to strike,” former state attorney general Rob McKenna told KIRO 7. So why are we seeing strikes crop up as teacher try to negotiate higher salaries? McKenna explained that “when a school district goes to court to ask the court to order the teachers back to work, every judge who’s ruled on it has said a strike is illegal,” but that state law does not impose any upfront penalties for going on strike. Those come only after teachers defy court orders. (KIRO 7)

Liv Finne with the Washington Policy Center says the teacher strikes will likely mean one in every five public school students won’t start school on schedule. One choice made to satisfy the McCleary ruling results in “a shift in money for the schools away from locally-provided money to state-provided money,” Finne explained. The unions are trying to sop up one-time money that districts won’t receive next year, which will put some districts in the red. (My Northwest)

A new Everett housing project will provide a place to live, along with on-site medical care, for the chronically homeless. “We want to get as many services in the building as possible,” said Rita Jo Case, the associate housing director for Catholic Community Services. (Everett Herald)

Retiring state Rep. Norm Johnson reflected on his public service, including 10 years in the Legislature. When asked to point to one key moment or policy he pushed, Johnson said it was never just him. “I don’t think there’s any one thing I can point to and say, ‘It’s me,’” he said. “It’s more we than me. Nobody can do it by themselves.” (Yakima Herald-Republic)

The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee will make a trip to Pasco to see first-hand the economic and environmental benefits of the Columbia and Snake river dams. “Unfortunately, misguided movements continue to push for the destruction or degradation of our river power system,” Cong. Dan Newhouse said. (Tri-City Herald)

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