While everyone else was sleeping, the Senate Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee advanced a bill to raise your property taxes. Sen. John Braun (R-Centralia) said of the bill: “If there are funding needs that rise to a statewide level, like support for special education, then the Legislature should consider them. But the Senate has already passed bills that would do much more for special education, including the bill I introduced, so it’s obvious from this move – which took place at 1:30 a.m. – that other forces are at work.” (Washington State Wire)

The state Attorney General’s court documents certainly don’t pull any punches when it comes to the initiative filing career of Tim Eyman. The documents argue Eyman, laundered donations through out-of-state charities, pocketed hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations, lied to his donors and more. “Tim Eyman has spent decades lying to campaign donors and the public about his misuse of campaign funds, and now he is lying to this Court about what the State seeks here,” Ferguson wrote. (Seattle Times)

Taking a cue from their fearless leader, Jay Inslee, liberals are already interviewing for their next job. Take current state Solicitor General Noah Purcell. With Bob Ferguson auditioning to fill Inslee’s shoes as our state governor, Purcell figures why shouldn’t he be doing the same thing. Purcell announced an “exploratory” bid for attorney general – his way of reaching out to donors without upsetting his boss. “I am announcing an exploratory committee for attorney general in the event that this office is open next year because I want to build on the great work we have done,” Purcell said. You’d think one of our top legal officers would know there’s no such thing as an “exploratory committee” in Washington state. (KIRO 7)

The Seattle Left is disappointed in two Senate Democrats who showed some independent thought and questioned the efficacy of raising taxes on families. Senators Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah) and Guy Palumbo (D-Maltby) slipped two amendments into the Senate Democrat bill that would raise property taxes even higher. “These amendments are right out of the Betsy DeVos agenda,” says education advocate Summer Stinson, founder of Washington’s Paramount Duty, a WEA mouthpiece. (The Stranger)

Here’s more on the Left’s attempt to break more K-12 funding promises and harm Washington families. (Shift WA)

Motel 6 is set to pay the state of Washington $12 million to resolve a lawsuit involving the company voluntarily providing guest lists to ICE agents without warrants. “Motel 6’s actions tore families apart and violated the privacy rights of tens of thousands of Washingtonians,” said state Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “Our resolution holds Motel 6 accountable for illegally handing over guests’ private information without a warrant.” (Q13 Fox)

Sound Transit was fine misleading voters and lawmakers into advancing a massive car tabs increase to pay for light rail, but apparently draws the line at potential environmental impact of their projects. Sound Transit wants the public to have a voice on how light rail in Tacoma will impact the environment – when it’s built 11 years from now. “At the Tacoma Dome, we have five or six station options,” Sound Transit spokesman Scott Thompson said Wednesday. “Tell us what you think.” Well, since you’re asking, Scott, here’s what we think: Your ST3 project is a massive blackhole of hardworking tax dollars, which by the way were dishonestly acquired, and is only designed to bloat bureaucracy and employ Sound Transit’s friends. If you were wondering. (The News Tribune)

The Grays Harbor County Commissioners passed a resolution that opposes the gun control initiative passed by voters last year. The resolution says that the commissioners “oppose the implementation of I-1639 or the enactment of any legislation that would infringe upon the constitutional rights of residents to Keep and Bear Arms. The resolution passed 2-1. (KXRO)

Yakima City Councilwoman, Kay Funk, declined to comment on the council’s decision to remove her from all committee assignments for the next six months. The council says she violated accepted conduct for City Council members, like not refraining from “abusive conduct, personal charges or verbal attacks against the character or motives of the City Council.” Councilman Brad Hill said Funks’ “judgment and demeanor to protest Mr. Murray’s selection at the media event last week” was a factor in their decision. (Yakima Herald)

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