State Rep. Brian Blake (D-Aberdeen) had a highly unusual expenditure on his PDC report: $25,000 (exactly) to an out-of-district print shop that hadn’t opened yet. The now-open Hazel Dell Minuteman Press is owned by former appointed Democratic state Rep. JD Rossetti, a past Blake aide, and family members. Appointed to the House in 2015, Rossetti did not win election after, among other things, being accused by both of his ex-wives of stalking and abusing them. The large amount of Blake’s expenditure, and the even figure, are highly unusual for a campaign printing bill. Was Blake using campaign funds to essentially prop up Rossetti’s business before it opened? (Chinook Observer)

It looks like Kshama Sawant’s disgusting rhetoric and political tactics are finally catching up to her. Union support for Sawant continues to drop off, for many reasons. Monte Anderson, executive secretary for Seattle Building Trades (which endorsed Sawant in the past) told the Jason Rantz show that “her politics are very divisive and sometimes I think she takes a divisive tone to be in the spotlight.” (My Northwest)

Seattle’s sugar tax is bringing in more money than the city estimated, and now city officials want to shift some of the money to the general fund. In just the first six months, the tax brought in $10 million, and is now estimated to generate $21 million a year. Some of those funds will go toward healthy food purchases and education campaigns, but Mayor Jenny Durkan wants to shift some of the money to cover general city expenses to balance her budget. (Seattle Times)

Ballot return envelopes are supposed to be postage-free around the state this year, but two counties were mistakenly issued envelopes that appear to require postage. Voters in Asotin and Grant counties received return envelopes that aren’t postage-paid. Secretary of State Kim Wyman said the mistake was made by a Tacoma mail vendor. The Postal Service will still deliver those ballot return envelopes without postage, supposedly. (Associated Press)

According to a state audit, after City of Sunnyside revenues declined the past three years and the city overspent in six budget areas, it is now in the hole about $3.8 million. In a response to the audit, the city said it’s proposing increases in taxes on water, sewer and garbage rates, as well as rate increases on some services, to address the issues. (Yakima Herald-Republic)

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