The Washington State Supreme Court confirmed this morning that Charter Schools are constitutional, affirming the lower court’s opinion. “We affirm the trial court in part, strike the provision that we find unconstitutional, and hold that the remainder of the Act is constitutional on its face.” (Washington State Supreme Court)

Sen. Mark Schoesler (R-Ritzville) is sure of one thing next year – that the worst governor in America for taxing and spending will push for even more taxes. Schoesler also touched on Gov. Jay Inslee’s appetite for an energy tax. “The governor endorses the carbon tax, but it does not do one thing for running state government,” Schoesler said. “It is only for well-heeled special interests that will be basically unaccountable.” (My Northwest)

The state Utilities and Transportation Commission will decide the fate of a proposed sale of Avista Corp to a Canadian utility company, Hydro One. Just under half of that company’s stock is owned by Ontario’s provincial government, so one question is whether or not Northwest customers can expect Ontario to interfere in operations of Hydro One Ltd. The commission has said the prospect of government interference is real. (The Spokesman-Review)

Seattle city councilmember Kshama Sawant wants the city to cut funding for one of government’s core tasks: Keeping people safe. Sawant is calling for budget cuts to the Seattle Police Department, all to make up for the revenue lost when her beloved jobs tax was repealed. Because that’s what Seattle needs: A more lax attitude to crime and longer emergency response times. Right…(Seattle Times)

A Seattle Municipal Court judge said the City Attorney’s Office had a “complete disregard for public safety” in the plea deal it offered a suspect accused of threatening an African-American man. After video caught Steven Jay Watts, a repeat offender, attacking someone while yelling racial slurs, the City Attorney’s Office agreed to a lax plea deal – 20 days in jail for Watts, with credit for 10 days already served. “And I think that the city is just being remiss and there’s a complete disregard for public safety with this city recommendation,” said Seattle Judge Kimi Kondo. (KIRO 7)

The Association of Washington Cities is supporting Seattle’s pursuit of a local income tax in a recent legal filing. “While cities and towns have differing policy views on revenues, AWC believes its mission includes protecting local revenue authority for city services,” the group wrote in a brief to the state Supreme Court. After a lower court struck down Seattle’s income tax last year, the case is now before the Supreme Court for review. (Seattle Times)

The Spokane Human Resources Department is investigating four city councilmembers after employees reported they had been bullied. Council President Ben Stuckart, who is one of the four members accused, said he was not sure what incident precipitated the complaints, but that he suspects it may stem from questions councilmembers ask staff during public presentations. “If people can’t handle being asked questions,” he said, “they’re in the wrong profession.” (The Spokesman-Review)

Yakima police officials announced that spokesman Mike Bastinelli was put on paid administrative leave earlier this week pending the results of an internal investigation. When asked what sparked the investigation, Interim Chief Gary Jones said he could not discuss personnel issues. “For the protection of the process and keeping the community’s interests top-of-mind, I decided to put (Bastinelli) on paid administrative leave,” he said. (Yakima Herald-Republic)

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