Sen. Andy Billig (D-Spokane), the next state Senate Majority Leader, is already laying his cards on the table: He wants a capital gains income tax. During an interview yesterday, Billig touted a capital gains income tax as one of his priorities (and it’s a big priority for the Left). When asked if he supported it, Billig said the type of income tax would be one of many revenue sources Dems look at. (TVW)

The NRA and the Second Amendment Foundation filed suit in federal court in Seattle, challenging Initiative 1639. The NRA claims the initiative mis-categorizes ordinary recreational firearms as “assault” weapons and denies young adults the right to self-protection with a gun. “We are disappointed that too many voters were fooled into supporting this 30-page gun control scheme, despite overwhelming law enforcement opposition,” said Second Amendment Foundation founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. (Associated Press)

Washington farmers are losing a lot of income during the Trump Administration’s trade war with China. According to a new report, Washington farmers and other exporting producers saw foreign sales plummet by between 20 and 28 percent. Frank Davis, an executive with Washington Fruit and Produce Co., said tariffs cost state cherry growers an estimated $60 million to $80 million in forgone profits. Without the tariffs, “we could have had a tremendous year,” he said. “But we ended up having an average year.” (Seattle Times)

Over $1 million and a lawsuit later, it looks like Washington state’s pre-paid mail-in ballots didn’t increase voter turnout after all. “It does appear, at least in the primary – and the general (election) trend is also looking the same – that the statewide turnout is the same as 2010 in both the primary and then the general,” said Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman. (My Northwest)

Seattle is preparing for its longest highway closure in the city’s history when the Alaskan Way Viaduct comes down. Beginning Jan. 4, 2019 the southbound off-ramp at South Atlantic Street will be shut down, followed by the viaduct closing for good a few days later. There will be about a three-week gap before the new Hwy 99 tunnel opens. (My Northwest)

The Yakima City Council directed staff to study how much it would cost to renovate the Lions Pool and Franklin Pool, as well as build a new outdoor pool and building, in Martin Luther King Jr. Park. “It’s hard to ignore the deterioration of Lions Pool and the lack of capacity at Franklin Pool to serve all Yakima residents during the summer hours,” said Councilmember Dulce Gutiérrez. (Yakima Herald)

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