Todd Myers with the Washington Policy Center said that in the middle of the huge tax increases and countless frustrating spending decisions, he was able to find one bright spot. The amount allocated to salmon recovery. Referring to the $38 million in spending increase for salmon recovery, Myers wrote: “it is rare for me to propose increased government spending, but the need is real, a small increase will make a big difference, and the spending is prioritized using a scientific assessment, not politics.” Todd is absolutely correct. (Washington Policy Center)

A bill that Democrats were able to pass in the final moments of the 2019 session will provide free college to families making less than $51,000. The Workforce Education Investment Act will cost about $945 million in the first four years and will be paid for by businesses that rely on highly-educated employees. Deposits to the program will begin January 1, 2020. Some of you may be wondering what such a bill will do to incentives for higher education institutions to lower tuition. Well, if history or a slight grasp of economic reality teaches us anything, those incentives will find themselves to be about as elusive as the Jackalope. (KING 5)

The Seattle City Council approved a law that will require bars, restaurants, gyms, stadiums, and other places to provide captions on television during business hours. “It’s important to shift the onus from having to request closed captions … [and] to instead create the expectation that folks have it in advance,” Councilmember Lisa Herbold. Any business found to be breaking the law will receive a fine. (Seattle Times)

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan is celebrating the passage of a measure that will require parking facilities carry spaces for electric vehicles. “Seattle must continue to take bold action on many fronts to reduce carbon pollution and address the negative impacts of climate change,” said Durkan. The extremist biking community were unimpressed with Durkan’s plan, and those of us with an ounce of commonsense just rolled our eyes. (MyNorthwest)

Five civil tort claims filed accuse Wapato City Administrator Juan Orozco of wrongful termination, retaliation and defamation. The claims were filed with the city on behalf of community members. As of writing this Orozco had not provided public comment. (Yakima Herald)

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