With California passing legislation that allows college student-athletes the opportunity to obtain compensation for their services, it is likely that a similar bill will now receive serious attention in Olympia.   Pay must be “up to fair-market value for services.”  Drew Stokesbary (R-Auburn) introduced a comparable bill last year and says he will again in 2020.   Currently there is support for this measure from members of both parties.  (MyNorthwest)

The City of Olympia appears to have broken state law by mailing out material to 15,000 households encouraging a No vote on I-976 (the car tab measure).  The mailing cost Olympia taxpayers $7,423.  Toby Nixon, president of the Washington Coalition for Open Government said, “This mailer is absolutely, positively, without a doubt, a blatant violation” of state law. (Seattle Times and City of Olympia mailer)

Many Seattle retailers are simply passing onto the consumers the increasing cost of theft instead of trying to stop it.  Because the city does not prosecute offenders it is cheaper to raise prices than to increase security.  It is believed this hidden “shoplifting tax” is costing families $400 a year. (City Journal)

During a candidate forum in Bainbridge Island, a male candidate touched his female opponent on the shoulder who then responded by asserting, “Please don’t hurt me.”   Candidate for the island’s park district board Rachel Pritchett repeatedly interrupted her opponent Tom Swolgaard and he leaned over and briefly touched her shoulder.  Since the incident, Pritchett has described the exchange as an invasion of her personal space and “It startled me, and it’s just not right” Swolgaard responded, “I think she’s blowing it out of proportion to get more votes.” (Kitsap Sun)

Those of us at ShiftWA mourn the passing of Jim Ellis.  A true leader and someone who brought people to together for the betterment of our community and region. (Seattle Times)

In a story first reported in ShiftWA, the Spokesman Review published a story about a serious PDC complaint filed against mayoral candidate Ben Stuckart’s political allies at the Spokane Firefighters union. The story outlines how over $66.000 suddenly appeared in the Firefighters PAC and then became part of an $80,000 contribution the PAC sent to the Citizens for Liberty and Labor, the organization behind the attack ads against Stuckart’s opponent Nadine Woodward. (ShiftWA and Spokesman Review)

Deadline is this Thursday for those interested in making a comment regarding the reintroduction of grizzly bears into the North Cascades.  Because of the large crowd at the October 7^th public hearing in Okanogan, not everyone was able to state their views.  Click here if you are interested in making a comment to the National Park Service.  (AG info  and National Park Service)

Company with Moses Lake ties is pushing to include polysilicon in the final U.S. – China trade deal. In 2014 China imposed a high tariff on the element used to make solar panels and integrated circuits. Last May this forced REC Silicon to close its Grant County plant and lay off hundreds of workers. (iFIBER One and Columbia Basin Herald)

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