The Legislature passed a paired down version of Inslee’s public option bill, starting our state down the path of government run health care. “I think we can feel very, very proud that we are the first state in the country to establish a public option, and I imagine that our option — Cascade Care — will serve as a model for other states going forward,” said Sen. Annette Cleveland (D-Vancouver). Critics rightly argued that Cascade Care will destabilize the market and limit doctors’ availability to patients. (Washington State Wire)

To give Inslee more progressive talking points on the campaign trail, Olympia Democrats passed a bill that will hike up taxes on businesses to make college free for some students. The Workforce Education Investment Act will raise roughly $1 billion in taxes on businesses through an increase in the Business and Occupation tax rate. While this bill might be well-intended, it will only inflate the costs of higher education. (Seattle Times)

Officials say they will interview the thirteen people tomorrow who have applied to fill a vacancy on Lacey City Council. The council will likely also vote on the appointment that same night. The vacant seat was left by Rachel Young, whose last day on the council was April 30. (The Olympian)

The Lynnwood City Council rejected a proposal to rezone and expand the Whispering Pines affordable housing complex. The proposal was brought to the City Council by the Housing Authority of Snohomish County, which wanted to build a larger complex. Opponents though feared the larger complex would bring an increase of criminal activity. (Everett Herald)

A state auditor’s report showed the City of Wapato’s finances to be in a bit of a mess. “We found that Wapato’s financial situation is in serious decline,” said State Auditor Pat McCarthy in presenting the auditor’s findings. The report showed that the city simply did not monitor its financial activity properly which resulted in non-compliance with state laws and instability in the city’s finances.  (Yakima Herald)

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