Governor Inslee repeatedly said during his brief presidential campaign that Washington was proof that we can fight climate change and grow the economy.  Yet whenever the state releases data showing greenhouse gas emissions increasing under Inslee’s environmental policies, his administration always blames the good economy.  Are Inslee’s policies helping the environment or do they pay off Inslee’s supporters and provide a disguise for a liberal social agenda? (ShiftWA)

Updated state forecast reveals that Washington state will have an additional $299 million in revenue during the current two-year budget cycle.  This means the state will receive $51.7 billion for the two year budget period that ends in mid-2021 (The Olympian)

Proposal for new license plate honoring police officers is seeking public support. 3,500 online signatures are needed (click here to sign the petition).  Proceeds from the plate will go towards funding programs to support officers’ health and wellness. (iFIBER One and Washington Federation of Police)

King County appropriated $100,000 to help homeless individuals buy a bus ticket back home.  Originally proposed by Councilman Reagan Dunn with a $1 million allocation, the program allows a person to obtain a one-way ticket to anywhere in the country on the condition there is a family member there who can provide them a home. (MyNorthwest)

The City of Tacoma is spending $388,000 to set up 22 mini houses that can accommodate 35 people in the Hilltop neighborhood.  The emergency housing project will be run by the Low Income Housing Institute, which has run similar projects in Seattle and Olympia. (News Tribune)

The City of Spokane will stick with Jewels Helping Hands to run the city’s warming center while they review allegations against the organization’s founder and treasurer.   At first the city intended to pull the contract but instead chose to impose three conditions on the group. Jewels must provide proof of insurance coverage; submit to the city a list of policies and procedures for the shelter; and connect to the city’s Homeless Management Information System. (Spokesman Review)

Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center concludes a debate with a synopsis of why tearing down the Snake River dams is not the best way to spend our resources to help salmon recovery.  The debate was sponsored by the CleanTech Alliance in Seattle.  Myers’ argument is that no matter how much tearing down the dams will cost and the impact this will have on energy policies, this money could be used more efficiently on other items that would better assist salmon recovery. (Washington Policy Center Facebook)

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