Sen. Mark Schoelser, the Senate GOP leader, didn’t care much for a recent piece by New York Times columnist Tim Egan. Egan said voters in the 5th Congressional District might be ready to vote Democrat, but what really seemed to tick Schoesler off was Egan calling candidate Lisa Brown the state’s first female Senate majority leader. That honor belongs to Walla Walla’s Jeanette Hayner, a Republican who became Majority Leader in 1981. “Hayner was one of the greatest leaders in the history of the Washington state Senate. Her accomplishments deserve to be remembered by a New York Times columnist (and the fact-checkers at the TNT),” Schoesler wrote. (Tacoma News Tribune)

The organizers of I-940 actually prefer a compromise bill passed by the Legislature this spring over their own initiative on police shootings. The Legislature’s bill was invalidated by the state Supreme Court, but Jerry Cornfield writes, “The compromise bill represented a moment of political zen. It was the kind of compromise rarely achieved on such a contentious matter of public interest. For De-Escalate Washington, it was an improved version of the initiative. Plus, it had the backing of many in the law enforcement community, who strongly opposed I-940.” (Everett Herald)

The owner of The Showbox, which the Seattle City Council is trying to “save” from redevelopment, is suing the city for not following procedures and for singling out the property with a “discriminatory spot zone.” The suit seeks $40 million in damages and says vote-seeking councilmembers aren’t using government powers fairly. “Populism, and politicians’ desires to appease their loudest constituents and generate headlines must, however, yield to the rule of law,” attorneys for the building’s owner wrote. (Seattle Times)

In a move many school boards are reluctant to take, the Longview School District filed an injunction asking a court to order striking teachers back to work. Similar actions are being taken by districts in Centralia and Tumwater.“The disruption to parents, families, students and the community at large from this work stoppage has been significant,” a Longview district spokesperson said. (Longview Daily News)

In a 5-4 vote yesterday, King County Councilmembers approved $135 million in hotel-motel tax funds for repairs and improvements at Safeco Field. The stadium is publicly owned and leased to the Mariners. The funds will be spent over the 25 years of a new lease. The team had sought a $180 million commitment. (Seattle Times)

Leaders from the Tri-Cities Economic Development Council say the four lower Snake River dams are vital to the region’s economic health. They cite the dams’ carbon-free electricity, “irrigation that turns the desert into an agricultural oasis,” and the efficiency of river shipping over road and rail. “The Tri-Cities simply wouldn’t be the dynamic, economically diversified, and growing community it is” without the dams, they said. (Tri-City Herald)

Spokane Mayor David Condon wants 10 more officers for the city’s police force. The mayor on Tuesday revealed his budget priorities for 2019. If the city council agrees to the 10 new officers, the police force will have grown 20 percent during Condon’s tenure. (The Spokesman-Review)

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