Tim Eyman told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson that state Attorney General Bob Ferguson isn’t just suing him but is actively preventing him from having an attorney in his bankruptcy case. Eyman, never known to be one for holding back bombastic phrasing, said the attorney general has essentially neutered him…legally of course.  Eyman is currently pursuing counter-claims against Ferguson for abuse of power. (My Northwest)

Former California Governor Jerry “Moonbeam” Brown visited Olympia yesterday to show support for Governor Inslee’s extreme environmental legislation. No word if he’ll be any more effective than former Secretary of State John Kerry who visited last session for the same goal. Inslee is hoping to have more success this year by breaking up his proposals into a series of smaller bills and because of his expanded liberal majorities in the legislature. (Seattle Times)

The Long-Term Care Trust Act was given an exceptionally rosy reception during a House Health & Wellness Committee hearing earlier this week. HB 1087 would create a public long-term care benefit that workers would pay into, and could benefit from should they have difficulty completing the tasks of daily life. “I’m way more over-the-moon about this bill than I probably should be,” said bill sponsor Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma). “I cannot see how this is a losing deal for anybody: Everybody wins.” (Washington State Wire)

Sen. Maureen Walsh (R-College Place) dropped SB 5539 yesterday – the bill would abolish the death penalty in the state of Washington. Late last year the state Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty is invalid because it is imposed in an arbitrary and racially biased way. The bill was referred to the Senate Law and Justice Committee. (Union-Bulletin)

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan hasn’t stopped her crusade to get every last car off of the road. Despite out-of-control costs, the mayor still wants to build a streetcar line along First Avenue in downtown Seattle. “The types of investments we’re making in our city right now, they’re generational investments, we’re building the city for the next generation,” Durkan said. (Seattle Times)

“For the duration of the closure, residents of the city who are federal government workers will have late fees waived on city services including water, storm, sewer and garbage,” said an Auburn City spokesperson. The city is joined by local businesses and organizations in offering relief to federal workers currently going without pay. (KIRO 7)

After 13 years, the Spokane Valley City Council will see a pay raise, close to doubling the current amount members receive. The pay raise was based on the recommendation of a five-person independent citizen salary commission. The commission recommended the mayor receive $1,775 a month and council members receive $1,415 a month, effective in February. (Spokesman-Review)

Earlier this week the Yakima City Council officially authorized a feasibility study of the proposed outdoor pool added to Martin Luther King Jr. Park. The $35,000 study, which will be done by a St. Louis-based aquatics firm (which is apparently a real thing), will provide design options and cost estimates. (Yakima Herald)

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