With the most recent revenue forecast showing state tax revenues are booming, the Washington Policy Center’s Jason Mercier wonders why lawmakers aren’t talking about a sales tax cut. “With the current projected increase in the state revenue forecast, lawmakers should consider a sales tax rate cut of at least 0.25%,” he writes. The Department of Revenue estimates 2019-21 taxpayer savings from a .25% reduction would be $851 million. (Washington Policy Center)

Labor and building trade unions are joining the movement to stop Initiative 1631, a proposed energy tax for Washington State. Last week the Iron Workers District Council of the Pacific Northwest announced its opposition, expressing concerns that the tax would lead to the elimination of certain kinds of jobs and deter organizations from bringing business into Washington. (Washington State Wire)

Seattle’s city council unanimously passed Councilmember Mike O’Brien’s bill that requires businesses to offer workers the chance to pay for transit passes with pretax wages. Under federal tax code, businesses can allow workers to allocate up to $260 per month from their paychecks to pay for commutes via transit. It’s an option, but O’Brien’s bill would mandate businesses offer it. When the head of one business group complained that he was just learning of the bill while the council was passing it, O’Brien apologized and said the city paid Commute Seattle to inform businesses. (Seattle Times)

The Seattle Times endorsed incumbent state Rep. Mark Harmsworth (R-Mill Creek) in the 44th Legislative District. The paper wrote of Harmsworth, “He advocates for fiscal responsibility and would fight to make sure the state Legislature doesn’t upend its work on state education finance reform by relenting to districts’ likely request to lift new caps on local levies.” (Seattle Times)

Following Seattle’s lead, the King County Council voted 6-3 to impose new gun storage requirements. The ordinance requires guns to be kept in safes, lock boxes or gun cages. Councilmember Joe McDermott called it “something gun owners should do as a minimum as part of responsible gun ownership,” but Councilmember Kathy Lambert pointed out that people in rural areas rely on guns to defend themselves. “It’s another example of [the council] not understanding how people who live in the rural area use their guns as a tool,” Lambert said. (Seattle Weekly)

Cong. Dan Newhouse said Monday that the revised NAFTA agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. is a win for agriculture producers. “American workers needed a level playing field and President Trump kept his promise to renegotiate NAFTA with that goal,” Newhouse said. Canada and Mexico are important markets for Washington farm products, including apples, cherries, and milk products. (Yakima Herald-Republic)

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