The first day of the 2019 session included a lot of liberal speeches about representing the entire state, but policy proposals don’t match the rhetoric. Inslee and his Democrat allies doubled down on issues like a capital gains income tax, carbon tax, and even a state bank. Listening to Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane) and Governor Inslee talk about policy sounded more like they were reading from the dais of Seattle City Hall rather than expressing an interest in representing the whole state. (The Olympian)

Take Inslee’s announcement yesterday in support of a free college program. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan has made similar proposals. Gov. Inslee’s plan would convert Washington’s State Need Grant into “Washington’s College Promise” grant. The new program would provide guaranteed funds to all eligible students. (My Northwest)

Seattle City Council Kshama Sawant is facing an ethics complaint for letting an outside socialist group make staffing decisions. The Jason Rantz Show confirmed yesterday that Sawant has let Socialist Alternative make staffing decisions for her office. Wayne Barnett, executive director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission said he received a complaint related to this. Sawant of course dismissed the complaint as some vague corporate conspiracy. (My Northwest)

Former Congressman and county sheriff, Dave Reichert, is joining a firm working to develop DNA databases in Central America, which can be used to combat human trafficking. “This is something that, it seemed to me, brought me back full circle,” Reichert said in a recent interview. Expanding DNA forensics, “will bring me back to the law enforcement realm, but in an entirely different way.” Reichert will be focused on passing laws and data-sharing agreements between countries Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. (The News Tribune)

Despite a relatively smooth first day for commutes during the “Seattle Squeeze” transportation agencies expect it to only go downhill from here. “Last time the Viaduct closed, day two commute was awful. Have a plan and stick to it,” WSDOT tweeted yesterday. Officials urged area transit riders to add 30-60 minutes, and drivers to add 30 minutes, to their commutes. (KING 5)

Quincy School Board member Alex Ybarra was appointed to represent the 13^thLegislative District following the resignation of Rep. Matt Manweller. The county commissioners from the four counties that make up the 13^thDistrict – Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln, and Yakima – met today in Ephrata to make the selection. Ybarra bested former county GOP chair Danny Stone and former state representative Ian Elliot. Elliot indicated that he will run against Ybarra in November. (Yakima Herald)

After gaining a spot of the city’s planning commission in 2017, Chuck Torelli will now make the jump to become the next Kennewick City Councilmember. Torelli was selected to serve out the remaining year of now State Representative Matt Boehnke’s term. Torelli said he admires the sense of service he’s seen on the council by the staff and members. “There really is an attitude of service. I don’t think it’s put there for show,” he said. “My personal belief is that is an attitude they buy into.” (Tri-City Herald)

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