Governor Inslee, in an effort to make his candidacy for President more palatable to Iowa’s liberal primary voters, announced a proposed public health insurance option for Washingtonians. “We are proposing to the state Legislature that we have a public option that is available throughout the state of Washington so that we can increase the ability to move forward on the road to universal health care in the state of Washington,” he said. Inslee and his allies were quick to dodge questions related to pesky little details like the cost of the program. (KIRO 7)

Liberal State Senator Patty Kuderer (D-Bellevue) wants to take Seattle’s ban on straws statewide. “Single use plastic straws are in our waters really polluting our rivers and the Sound and everything,” she said. Kuderer added that her proposal may not be the only one this session targeting plastic. Thank goodness legislators like Sen. Kuderer are tackling critically important issues like this. (My Northwest)

And another Seattle City Hall incumbent decides to step away from politics. Council President Bruce Harrell, who briefly served as mayor in 2017, announced yesterday he will not seek re-election. “Today I am announcing my intent not to seek re-election to the Seattle City Council for a fourth term because of my belief that three terms is sufficient in this role at this time,” he said in a statement. Harrell is the third incumbent councilmember to call it quits this cycle. (Seattle Times)

County Commissioners from Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln, and Yakima counties will meet Monday to select Rep. Matt Manweller (R-Cle Elum)’s replacement. Manweller was re-elected in the November General Election having promised to resign after multiple accusations of sexual misconduct were made against him. Commissioners will choose from three candidates chosen by 13^th District Republican PCOs: Danny Stone, a wheat farmer and pastor from Grant County, Alex Ybarra, a Quincy School Board member, and former State Rep. Ian Elliot who lives in Ellensburg. (Yakima Herald) 

The Spokane City Council will consider relaxing parking restrictions and allowing taller buildings in part of the city. Nathan Gwinn, an assistant planner for the city, said the regulations could encourage developers to address “the missing middle” in housing. City Council President Ben Stuckart doesn’t want to stop there, he would like to update zones in the city. “Just building regulations alone is not going to get us to a point where we’re not at a housing crisis,” Stuckart said. (Spokesman-Review)

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