The Washington State Democratic Party’s staff voted to unionize. Democratic Party workers are now members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 1094. This all seems a bit circular, as the employees will be paying dues to a union that, if true to form, will then be giving some of that money back to the state party, the workers’ own employer. (The Stand)

If Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan thought giving free ORCA transit passes to high school students was actually about helping families, she would have provided them to every high school student. Instead Durkan chose to leave out students attending public charter schools – hitting poor families and children of color the hardest. Liv Finne with the Washington Policy Center noted that “two-thirds of charter school students are low-income, minority children.” But hey, can’t miss an opportunity to pettily object to charter schools. (Washington Policy Center)

The Battle Ground school district announced it is considering legal action to address striking teachers. “The board is considering legal action,” said Rita Sanders, district spokeswoman. Battle Ground’s school district is the last one in Southwest Washington whose teachers remain on strike. Teachers unions elsewhere in the state suffered adverse rulings against their strikes this week. (The Columbian)

Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda ordered an audit of Seattle City Light after reports of massive and unexplained bill increases. The Seattle Times reported instances where customers, normally paying bills in the low hundreds, have been slammed with bills for thousands of dollars. (Seattle Times)

What is Eastern Washington Democrats’ strategy to close the gap between their candidate Lisa Brown and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers? College turnout. Brown supporters are hoping to gain ground on the incumbent Republican by getting college students to vote. “We know if we get students registered, they’re going to support Lisa,” said Quinton Berkompas, president of the Washington State University Democrats. (The Spokesman-Review)

BREAKING: Thurston Co. Judge Chris Lanese GRANTS Tumwater District's request for injuction. Ruled Tumwater strike is illegal and causing "substantial" and "irreparable" harm.

— Drew Mikkelsen🥯 (@drewmikkelsenk5) September 12, 2018

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