Never mind, for now – Lefties put income tax initiative on hold. After announcing a plan to trick voters into approving a state income tax through a dishonest initiative, the sponsors decided instead for a “public discussion and education campaign.” Is that because their $75,000 worth of polling showed they couldn’t win? (Shift WA)

The Legislative Ethics Board dismissed a complaint filed against Rep. Joel Kretz (R-Wauconda) over wolf research. The complaint, part of a tussle over the state’s wolf reintroduction in central and eastern Washington, asserted that Kretz tried to redirect money away from research by a WSU wolf expert. The dismissal brings the dispute to a close. (The Spokesman-Review)

Yesterday, the state teachers union made its second attempt to get the state Supreme Court to strike down its hated enemy, charter schools. Arguments from the WEA’s attorney made one thing clear: The suit has nothing to do with what’s best for kids and everything to do with the union’s control over the education system. Former state Attorney General Rob McKenna argued the case for charter schools. (Seattle Times)

Fresh off the passage of a contentious head tax, the Seattle City Council is already taking steps to pass another new tax. The local improvement district (LID) tax would be levied against property owners to pay for waterfront improvements. (KOMO 4)

See, Christine Gregoire gets it! The Democrat and former governor vocally objected to the head tax and asked why the city would choose to demonize a major employer. “I firmly believe it undermines our international and national reputation,” she said. (GeekWire)

Dori Monson asks how can Governor Inslee go on national television and claim Washington State is “a model for the country.” Under Inslee’s watch,we have the worst homelessness problem per capita in the United States, Western State Hospital has taken repeated nosedives, and traffic has steadily worsened each year. Some paradise, Governor. (My Northwest)

The U.S. Supreme Court will decide if the Yakamas are exempt from state gas taxes on the reservation. It’s an appeal from a 2013 case, when the state sued a gas station on the reservation for bringing in out-of-state fuel without paying the fuel tax. (Yakima Herald-Republic)

Former Kennewick mayor and longtime businesswoman Paula Lockwood passed away this week. Lockwood was first elected to the Kennewick council in 1988. (Tri-City Herald)

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