Documents in the News

The Washington State Library gives you access to recently published newspaper articles along with the supporting government reports, legislation, court decisions, statistics, and regulations.

The Washington State Library has links to the homepages of many Washington newspapers at Washington State Newspaper Links. Washington State Library cardholders can get access to many of the older articles in the "Archives" through Proquest.

"Flood watch in effect today"--Spokane Spokesman-Review
In Spokane the weather outside has been frightful so it's probably more delightful to stay inside. There's been record snowfall. Now flooding could be next with rain and warming temperatures coming in the next few days. Spokane isn't the only part of the state that has worries about flooding. The Yakima Herald-Republic reports that "Naches River could be on the rise". Flooding isn't the only danger from the coming rain. The Vancouver Columbian has an article "Weather service warns of landslides, debris flows". When the ground gets saturated with water, you can get landslides. An article in the Wenatchee World, "Runoff forecast better but still lacking", points out that parts of the state are still below their normal snowpacks. After all, winter snow feeds streams and rivers in the spring. - 01/06/2009

"County sees spike in concealed weapon permit requests"--Vancouver Columbian
The Clark County Sheriff's Office has seen a noticeable increase in requests for concealed weapons permits. Concealed weapon permits in Washington state are issued on the local level. People convicted of certain crimes or were involuntarily commited to mental health treatment can be refused concealed weapon permits. Residents from certain other states can carry concealed weapons in Washington if their state has a reciprocal agreement with Washington. - 01/05/2009

"Safety nets fail victims of domestic violence"--Seattle Post-Intelligencer
A report released by the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence indicates that government safety nets may not be enough to save victims of domestic violence, because people don’t know where they can turn for help. The report says that instead of going to police or other government agencies, domestic violence victims often turn to a friend or neighbor for assistance. Sixty-eight people were killed in Washington as a result of domestic violence during the two-year time period encompassed by the study. The Coalition Against Domestic Violence proposes that the best way to help victims is to get the word out about programs set up to provide protection. Some state courts and county agencies offer advocacy services, and there are state and national domestic abuse hotlines as well. - 01/05/2009

"Brewers, vintners debate fairness of state law"--Bellingham Herald
Small wineries and breweries argue that Washington’s liquor laws favor larger companies, keeping the price of alcohol too high for smaller companies to survive. Washington has a three-tiered system for selling alcohol, and nobody selling in one tier can have a financial interest in another tier. As the system now stands, wineries and breweries sell their products to wholesalers, who then sell to retailers. This is seen by some as an unfair system, although there are some exceptions to those rules. A few different lobbying groups will be vying for attention this legislative session as they try to get the laws to work in their favor. - 01/04/2009

"Interlock law now in effect"--Pasco/Kennewick/Richland Tri-City Herald
Getting arrested for drunk driving in Washington doesn't necessilary mean losing your driver's license--if you're willing to get an ignition interlock device installed in your car and the license that goes with it. This device measures alcohol in your breath. It keeps the car from starting if the alcohol level is too high. Your regular driver's license is revoked during the time you must have an ignition interlock on your car. You'll have an Ignition Interlock License. Washington passed this law because many people who lost their licenses for drunk driving continued to drive any way. The vast majority of states have some sort of ignition interlock law. By the way, it's up to the person who has an ignition interlock device to pay for it. - 01/02/2009

"State asks where people drank, drove"--Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Tulalip Casino is the number one business that people stopped for driving under the influence listed as the place they had their last drink. In Seattle, Qwest Field topped the list. The state Liquor Control Board keeps data on the last places people reported drinking after being stopped so that state and local law enforcement officers know the areas to target for drunk drivers, and can pinpoint establishments that may need to come under investigation. The Liquor Control Board said that some businesses can be slapped with citations for not monitoring customer drinking closely enough. - 01/01/2009

"Gregoire favors deportations as way to cut state's jail costs"--Seattle Times
Rather than allow illegal immigrants to serve out prison sentences, Gov. Gregoire is proposing that the state cooperate with U.S. Customs and Immigration to have the inmates deported. Officials estimate that this would save the state $9 million within the next two years. A program already in place called the 287(g) agreements would allow state employees to act as immigration agents in some cases. Arizona and New York have already implemented deportations within their prison systems, with New York reporting a savings of $141 million so far. Washington’s agricultural sector attracts illegal immigrants for farm work, and federal estimates put the state’s illegal immigrant population at 270,000 in 2007. - 12/31/2008

"Minimum wage on the way up: State’s lowest-paid will get 48-cent raise on Thursday"--Vancouver Columbian
Minimum wage earners in Washington state rejoice! You're getting a 5.4% raise on January 1, 2009. Washington's minimum wage will go from $8.07 per hour to $8.55 per hour. This increase will give Washington workers the highest minimum wage in the nation. The federal minimum wage is $6.55 per hour. States that don't have minimum wage laws use the federally set minimum wage. The minimum wage in Washington state is based on I-688 that voters passed in 1998. It says that the minimum wage will be increased every year based on increases in the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index--Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The increase is measured from August of the previous year to the August of the current year--so the 2009 raise was based on the increase of the CPI-W from the end of August 2007 to the end of August 2008. - 12/30/2008

"Expanded felon DNA testing in our state?"--Tacoma News Tribune
Rep. Mark Miloscia of Federal Way wants Washington to adopt the federal law that allows law enforcement to collect DNA samples of anyone arrested on a felony charge, regardless of whether or not they are ultimately found guilty of committing the crime. As state law now stands, felons who are convicted have their DNA collected and placed in a database. The American Civil Liberties Union contends that collecting the DNA before individuals are found guilty is an invasion of privacy, and other legislators in Washington have tended to agree. Rep. Miloscia’s bill also faces an uphill battle in this year’s session because of the costs involved. Thirteen other states have adopted the federal rules regarding DNA collection. - 12/29/2008

"Washington state finds 30 dangerous illegal dams"--Yakima Herald-Republic
Washington state has dam regulations, and the Department of Ecology's Dam Safety Office is responsible for enforcing them. The Office recently discovered several illegal dams, many of them in the Yakima area. The problem with a do-it-yourself dam is a dam failure. - 12/24/2008

"New credit-card rules faulted"--Seattle Times
Although the Federal Reserve recently decided on new regulations that put limits on the types of interest rates credit cards can charge you, they won’t go into effect until July of 2010. Consumer advocates argue that many people will have defaulted on their cards by then. Under current law, credit card companies generally have fine print written into their consumer contracts that allows them to increase interest rates if someone’s credit report suddenly changes, even if the change has nothing to do with their payments on the card in question. Rate increases can go as high as a 50 percent APR or more. These sudden increases are known as “universal default.” They can cripple consumers’ ability to pay other bills in addition to the credit card bill, causing them to file for bankruptcy. - 12/19/2008

"Thunder, snow make wild combo"--Everett Herald
The National Weather Service has confirmed the claims: the Seattle area did experience thunder and lightning in association with the snow storm on Thursday morning. The weather service advises people to take cover should they hear thunder or see a flash of lightning – it generally means a big pile of snow is coming your way. “Thunder snow,” as it is termed, is a rare phenomenon, but it can happen in convergence zones when a snow storm is about to hit. - 12/19/2008

"Gregoire lays out first version of budget parade of horrors"--Olympia Olympian
Gov. Gregoire’s budget proposal for the 2009-2011 biennial takes a no-new-taxes approach, but carves big cuts out of several programs. Her cuts include closing 13 state parks, capping the children’s health insurance program, cutting funding for the Basic Health Care plan by 42 percent, and eliminating pay raises for school teachers and other state employees. State economic forecasters have predicted that state revenue will run a deficit of up to nearly $6 billion within the next two years, but Gregoire has steadfastly promised not to raise taxes. The budget proposal reflects where she would like to see major spending cuts in state programs, but the final state budget won’t be passed by the legislature until the spring. - 12/18/2008

"Alcoa dredges contaminated sediment from Columbia"--Vancouver Columbian
After $42 million and 13 years of studies and negotiations with the Department of Ecology, Alcoa has dredged over 5,000 cubic yards of PCB contaminated sediment from the Columbia River at the site of its closed Vancouver smelter. The smelter was also a Superfund site. The Port of Vancouver is in negotiations to buy the cleaned up site for port expansion. - 12/17/2008

"Supreme Court rejects Hanford appeal"--Spokane Spokesman-Review
Downwinders, who suffered serious health problems after they were exposed to Iodine-131 releases from Hanford, won a victory in the U.S. Supreme Court. The iodine was released during the 1940s and 1950s and covered a wide swath of Eastern Washington from Oregon to the Idaho Panhandle. The Centers for Disease Control issued a study that said there was no statistical proof of increased thyroid diseases due to the iodine releases. The downwinders disagreed, especially since other radioactive toxins were released as well. They sued contractors who operated Hanford at the time of the releases. The contractors appealed a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that gave downwinders the right to sue them. - 12/16/2008

"Work on interstates to make 2009 a test of patience"--Seattle Times
In order to get other major roadwork out of the way before starting on huge road projects like the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the 520 Bridge overhaul, the Department of Transportation has several big projects planned for the Seattle area in 2009. Work on I-5, I-90, and I-405 will mean lane closures and inevitable back-ups for Seattle area commuters. The state will spend about $279 million on these construction projects, all of which will be paid for by the state’s gas tax. The department also hopes that the projects will stimulate the economy by providing more area jobs. - 12/16/2008

"Tax exemptions under microscope"--Olympia Olympian
The Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences will be working to recommend to the legislature ways in which the state can earn more money, namely, by outmoding a number of tax exemptions. There are currently about 567 tax breaks on the books, which save taxpayers about $53 billion. However, that’s money that could be used to fill state coffers in a time of squeezed budgets. Many of the exemptions involve retail sales and use taxes on items like food. The legislature mostly ignored the commission’s recommendations last year, including exemptions on agricultural producers and public utilities, among others. - 12/15/2008

"Mid-Columbia officials crafting stimulus wish lists'--Pasco/Kennewick/Richland Tri-City Herald
Local officials would love the smell of asphalt in the morning. County and city officials in the Tri-Cities area have been compiling wish lists of needed projects ever since they heard that infrastructure projects are part of the Presiden-elect Obana's economic recovery plan. Officials across Washington state have been making lists of ready-to-go projects that could take immediate advantage of any stimulus funding coming their way. A list of Washington State Department of Transportation projects shows there's no shortage of work to be done. - 12/15/2008

"Viaduct options: Down to 2"--Seattle Post-Intelligencer
State, city, and county officials have narrowed down replacement ideas for the Alaskan Way viaduct in Seattle to two options: an elevated highway, and two one-way downtown surface streets. Total estimated costs for the elevated highway, which would include two bridges running side-by-side, is about $3.5 billion. Estimated costs for the surface-street option come in at about $3.3 billion. Gov. Gregoire has stated that the state has a total of $2.8 billion to spend on this project, but she is committed to tearing down the viaduct by 2012. Officials say the viaduct has been damaged by earthquakes and is dangerously unstable. About 110,000 vehicles travel along the road daily. - 12/12/2008

"Report: Spokane psychologist key in expanding torture"--Spokane Spokesman-Review
Part of the training at the Air Force Survival School run by the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency at Fairchild Air Force Base involves teaching military personnel how to resist hostile interrogations by captors who don't follow the Geneva Conventions. Dr. Bruce Jeppsen, a Spokane psychologist, was a consultant at the Survival School. He devised methods that replicated unlawful interrogation techniques. They were used on Survival School students under controlled conditions. According to hearings held by the Senate Armed Forces Committee on June 17, 2008 and September 25, 2008, (Executive Summary of the Hearings here), these techniques became the basis of interrogation methods for suspected terrorists. These methods were criticized being illegal and were the target of the McCain Amendment. - 12/12/2008

"Water plan would help restore fish"--Yakima Herald-Republic
The Yakima River is a classic example of a river being asked to support healthy habitat for fish while providing water for irrigation, homes, and businesses. Both the state and federal governments are working on a solution this problem. The Department of Ecology has just released a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement for its recommendations (summary here, full report here). The comment period on this proposal is open until January 16, 2009. - 12/11/2008

"Whatcom County landowners could lose development potential"--Bellingham Herald
In light of a recent state Growth Management Board ruling, the county planning commission will have to re-examine and possibly redraw rural boundaries to limit urban sprawl in rural areas. The county will need to limit houses to one per five acres in areas deemed to be rural, and limit other building. Overall, the county will look at 20,000 acres and decide on boundaries for rural areas, taking into consideration factors such as preserving the character of established neighborhoods, using natural boundaries, and not forcing abnormal boundaries. The county will publish new maps and zoning requirements sometime in 2009. - 12/11/2008

"900 Washington teachers to get raises after certification"--Spokane Spokesman-Review
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) has recognized 918 teachers in Washington state for their classroom abilities (to see the press release with more details, click on "Washington" in this list). This certification is recognized by the state and entitles the teachers who have earned it a $5,000 bonus. An additional $5,000 bonus is given to certified teachers who work in schools where at least 50% to 70% of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. - 12/10/2008

"House expected to pass auto bailout; filibuster possible in Senate"--Olympia Olympian
Big Three automakers, Congress, and the White House have reached a tentative deal for a bailout proposal that may go to a vote in both houses of Congress this week. The deal calls for a “car czar” who would dole out federal money with conditions that the automakers restructure their business plans. The czar would have the power to force an automaker into bankruptcy if it does not submit viable blueprints for change by March 31, 2009. The clause that called for automakers to drop lawsuits against California for its tough emissions laws has been eliminated. The bill needs a two-thirds majority in the Senate in order to avoid a filibuster. - 12/10/2008

"Valley lawmakers object to EPA's role in dirty wells issue"--Yakima Herald-Republic
Studies have found high, unhealthy levels of nitrates in the water from many wells in the Yakima Valley. The nitrates come from many sources and are a good example of nonpoint pollution. Water quality is overseen by local governments, state agencies such as the Department of Ecology and the Department of Health, and federal agencies. No single local, state, or federal agency has taken responsibility in the past to deal with this problem in the Yakima Valley. Some state representatives are unhappy that the Environmental Protection Agency took the lead in organizing a meeting last week to look at solutions to improving water quality. The politicians would feel more comfortable with the Department of Ecology overseeing any cleanups and so avoid a federal agency imposing federal regulations. They would prefer to see a locally managed program along the lines of the Columbia Basin Groundwater Management Area. - 12/09/2008

"New jobs in Washington paying less than living wage"--Seattle Post-Intelligencer
A new study published by the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations shows that 80 percent of job openings in Washington paid less than a living wage for a single parent with two children. The study also says that this percentage has remained stagnant since 2006. The federation maintains that federal poverty levels are out of date; their figures estimate that a living wage in Washington is about $55,245 for a family of three. King and Snohomish counties require the highest wages to meet basic needs, while Asotin County requires the lowest wages. Since the report only covers statistics for 2007, study authors fear the economic picture is even bleaker for families right now. - 12/09/2008

"Policy that lets inmates get out early might stay"--Tacoma News Tribune
The current law that lets some prisoners out of jail early for good behavior will likely be kept in place as legislators try to hammer out the biennial budget this session. The Washington State Institute for Public Policy has found that the policy, which can let out prisoners after only half of their sentence has been served, saves the state money. When the prisoners are no longer institutionalized, they cost the state less money and are less likely to end up back in prison. Prisoners who are let out early often must serve some time doing work release programs. The state saves an average of $10,000 for every inmate who is let out early for good behavior. Domestic violence offenders and other violent crimes offenders are only eligible to have their sentences reduced by one-third, and sex offenders are only eligible to receive reductions of 15 percent. - 12/08/2008

"Big plans for biodiesel crop faltering: High wheat prices, falling cost of fuel have cut incentive"--Spokane Spokesman-Review
The drop in gas prices is hurting the biodiesel industry. Biodiesel was more expensive than gas and around the same cost as regular diesel even when gas was nearing $4 a gallon. Now with gas costing under $2 a gallon, there's far less incentive to invest in biodiesel operations. Pressure is also coming from rising wheat prices; farmers find it more profitable to grow wheat than the plants used to make biodiesel. However, the biodiesel industry gets support from state programs. One such program is mandated by Senate Bill 6508. It requires that eventually 20% of the fuel used for state-operated diesel-powered vehicles and vessels be biodiesel. - 12/08/2008

"Disease kills 19 cattle shown at Puyallup Fair"--Tacoma News Tribune
A rare disease called malignant catarrhal fever is responsible for the 19 bovine deaths. Veterinarians believe the disease was transmitted from sheep that were staying in the same barn with the cattle during the fair. Because the disease is so rare, very little is known about it, and there is no known cure or vaccination. Scientists do know that the disease cannot be passed to humans, and can only be transmitted to cattle through direct contact with a sheep’s nasal secretions. It’s the largest outbreak of MFC the state has ever seen. - 12/05/2008

"Third-party campaign cash surges to a record"--Everett Herald
Independent special-interest groups spent $24.7 million on election campaigns this fall, a significant uptick from previous years. $19.7 million of those dollars went towards the campaign for governor, and most of that money was spent in attack ads on the other candidate. The Building Industry Association of Washington and the Republican Governors Association spent about $11 million in ads for Dino Rossi, while labor unions, the Evergreen Progress Political Action Committee, and the Democratic Governors Association spent $6.1 million in ads for Gov. Gregoire. The Public Disclosure Commission is discussing the spending report with its commissioners, but doesn’t expect that any new regulations will come out of it. - 12/04/2008

"Seattle ornament banned from White House Christmas tree"--Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Artist Deborah Lawrence’s ornament for the White House Christmas tree that represents the 435 congressional districts has officially been banned. Lawrence’s ornament was submitted for Rep. Jim McDermott’s 7th congressional district. McDermott had asked the King County Arts Commission to choose an artist for him, and says that he had no personal responsibility for choosing the artist or her message. Lawrence’s ornament integrates text that praises the proposal to impeach President Bush into the red-and-white striped design; McDermott voted in favor of the proposal. Though representatives for both the King County Arts Commission and Rep. McDermott’s office support the decision to take the ornament down, Lawrence was unapologetic, saying the decoration was probably her only chance to send a political message to the White House. - 12/03/2008

"High-wire health care: Family makes too much money to get help for daughter"--Yakima Herald-Republic
Just because a family makes enough to get by doesn't mean that they make enough to cover all the healthcare costs for a chronically ill child. The article is about a family that makes a few thousand dollars too much to qualify for the state Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). They qualify as medically needy so they're getting temporary help. However, to qualify for this they have to spend enough money on medical services to put them in a lower income bracket. In January 2009 their daughter will qualify to covered by the state's new apple Health for Kids program. The question that hangs over their heads is how well will the state be able to fund this program during a recession. Expenditures for children's health insurance programs have a way of growing. - 12/03/2008

"State lets contract for new Port Townsend ferry; vessel could be going by mid-2010"--Peninsula Daily News
The state Department of Transportation has awarded a ferry–building contract to Todd Pacific Shipyards of Seattle. Although their bid was much higher than the department’s internal estimate, Todd’s was the only bid the state received for a new ferry on the Port Townsend-Keystone route. Washington State Ferries is hoping to have the new ferry built within 18 months at a cost of $65.5 million. The new ferry will be modeled on a Massachusetts ferry, the Island Home, although some features of that ferry will be modified to better suit the Port Townsend-Keystone route. WSDOT has indicated that it hopes to iron out a budget this legislative session for replacing and adding other state ferries within the near future. - 12/02/2008

"Douglas County may reduce snowplowing on some rural roads"--Wenatchee World
The residents of rural Douglas County might have to live with this equation when it snows in 2009: rising costs - (recession + initiatives that limit government funding) = reduced services from local government. Douglas County is facing a budget shortfall caused in part by Initiative 695, a 1999 initiative that limited car tab fees and tax increases, and Initiative 747, a 2001 intitiative that limited property tax increases to 1% per year. The cost of doing business rises by 5% to 7% per year. The county is looking at ways to reduce the shortfall in its 2009 budget. One way it can save $200,000 is by reducing the amount of snowplowing its extensive road system. - 12/02/2008

"Online schools make gains"--Olympia Olympian
About one percent of South Sound students, or 400 pupils, have enrolled in fully online public schools this year. The online distance education programs are run by private companies but offered for free to any students with a computer and Internet connection at home. Online public schools are funded at the same rate as other public schools and are considered to be alternative education programs. Many of the enrollees were former homeschool students who switched to the online programs, but some are also students who don’t learn well in traditional classrooms. Olympia Public Schools offers its own online program, called iConnect Academy, and the Tumwater and North Thurston districts also have some online classes through their high schools. Other online programs available in Washington include the Washington Virtual Academy (WAVA), Insight School of Washington, and iQ Academy. - 12/01/2008

"Folks switching to digital broadcasting urged to recycle old TVs"--Pasco/Kennewick/Richland Tri-City Herald
Computers become out of date after a few years, and televisions are going digital. Many people dispose of old tvs and computers by putting them in the garbage or by dumping them. There are better places for them than a landfill or the side of the road. Starting on January 1, 2009, people in Washington state can recycle televisions and computers for free through the Department of Ecology. The law behind this program is RCW 70.95N. - 12/01/2008

"State to file suit against DOE for missed Hanford cleanup deadlines"--Pasco/Kennewick/Richland Tri-City Herald
The cleanup of nuclear waste at Hanford is years behind schedule and billions over budget. In fact, the Department of Energy's (DOE) management of the waste cleanup has been strongly criticized by the Government Accountability Office. Washington state entered into the Tri-Party Agreement with DOE and the Environmental Protection Agency to oversee the cleanup. Talks between Washington state and the federal government to renegotiate the agreement broke down when the Justice Department got involved. Now Governor Gregoire has announced that Washington is going to sue the DOE. This is the latest in a long string of lawsuits that Washington Attorneys General have brought to force DOE to clean up Hanford. - 11/26/2008

"Despite record voter turnout, number of invalid ballots was low"--Bellingham Herald
According to the Office of the Secretary of State, Washington broke the voter turnout record this year, with a total of 84.55 percent of registered voters casting their votes. Whatcom County officials say county turnout clocked in at 88 percent, with 101,399 of 115,314 registered voters mailing in their ballots. Of those, only 477 ballots were invalidated, an unusually low number given the high ballot-return rate. Ballots can be invalidated for a number of reasons, ranging from signatures that don’t match voter registration records to postmarks later than the November 4 deadline. Some people forgot to sign their ballot envelope. Counties certified their votes on November 25, and Secretary of State Sam Reed will certify the statewide vote counts on December 4. - 11/26/2008

"Plan slashes north-south freeway cost"--Spokane Spokesman-Review
“We should be adaptable to changing conditions and make adjustments as needed,” said a Washington State Department of Transportation administrator. He was referring to the long planned North Spokane Corridor highway, a government project that has to face economic reality. Proposed changes to the plan would reduce the Corridor from eight lanes to four lanes and keep it at ground level. This would help reduce the cost from $720 million to $285 million. More lanes could be added later as funding became available. The reuced cost of the project means reduces the need to impose tolls on the road. - 11/25/2008

"Gregoire orders $260M more in emergency cuts"--Seattle Post-Intelligencer
In order to keep the 2009 budget in the black, Gov. Gregoire is asking state agencies to cut spending between now and June by about 6.2 percent. Each agency was given a specific dollar amount to cut, although the agencies themselves will need to decide which programs will get trimmed. Last week the Office of Financial Management released a Priorities of Government report, which lists all state programs in order of perceived priority. Programs listed in the report as “Buy next” or “Don’t buy” are given lower ranking than those listed as “High” and “Low.” The estimated savings from this newest round of cutbacks will leave the budget with $130 million at the end of the fiscal year, and will allow the state’s Rainy Day Fund to go towards the next biennial budget. - 11/25/2008

"Washington bankruptcy filings rise 40%"--Seattle Times
So far this year, 18,000 Washington residents have filed for bankruptcy, making the state the 12th highest in the nation for bankruptcy cases. Many people cite the depreciation of home values, the sudden rise of adjustable mortgage rates, and job loss as some of the reasons for the increase in such cases. A 2005 reform of bankruptcy law has made it harder for some people to seek protection under bankruptcy and has discouraged many people who do qualify from filing for it. New restrictions also mean that by the time they qualify to file for bankruptcy, people are deeper in debt than filers were before the changes to the law took effect. As of August 2008, the national bankruptcy rate was 29 percent higher than that of the previous year. - 11/24/2008

"Funding announced for local VA clinic: The $71.4 million was preliminarily approved for design and construction."--Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
Congressional clout can be good--just ask anybody who uses the services of the Veterans Affairs Mecial Center in Walla Walla. The VA has put the request for a $71.4 million in renovation and construction funds for the facility in its next budget request. These proposed improvements to the facility are a remarkable about face from the recommendation by the VA's Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) Commission in 2004 to close the facility (see pages 3-120 to 3-122). An article in the Tri-Cities Herald, "Walla Walla VA hospital to get $71M upgrade", points out that the VA was heavily lobbied on the Walla Walla facility's behalf by Senator Patty Murray, who is on the Veterans Affairs Committee, Senator Maria Cantwell, and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who is new the GOP Conference Vice Chair. - 11/21/2008

"State's tobacco cash helps smokers kick habit"--Everett Herald
In 1998, several states, including Washington, were awarded billions of dollars by big tobacco companies for smoking-related illnesses and deaths. That money was supposed to be spent on anti-smoking campaigns and programs to help people quit the habit. Washington spends a majority of the money on those and other health-related programs, but about 40 percent of those funds still go to things that have nothing to do with health or smoking. Most other states have a worse record, spending only 30 percent on smoking or healthcare programs. The states defend their actions by saying that the money was awarded as back payment for funds the state already spent on health care, and by pointing out that anti-smoking programs generally do not cost nearly as much money as the payments they get. Washington now has the sixth lowest smoking rate in the nation. - 11/21/2008

"Dow hits lowest mark in more than 5 years: Reports, recession fears trigger late selloff"--Spokane spokesman-Review
The economic news is bad, and it looks like it could get worse. Stock market indices such as the S&P 500 are falling. Leading economic indicators are bleak. Congress is holding hearings on financial aid to the automobile industry. The Consumer Price Index showed a 1% drop in October, another sign of the economic slowdown. The word "recession" is being used more and more. - 11/20/2008

"Washington to pay $6M to settle foster children's lawsuit"--Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Seven former foster children of Carole DeLeon, of Stevens County, have been awarded settlements ranging from $400,000 to $1.5 million in the latest lawsuit against Department of Social and Health Services employees. The lawsuit alleged that DSHS had not scrutinized DeLeon’s background when placing children with her, and failed to respond properly to repeated complaints of abuse. An award of $180,000 will be given to the estate of a child who died from starvation while in her care. The settlement was filed in the Spokane County Superior court. The Braam v. DSHS lawsuit filed in 1998 forced the department’s Children’s Administration to take significant steps to restructure their foster care program. - 11/20/2008

"Consumer prices drop record 1 percent in October"--Olympia Olympian
The latest drop in consumer prices is the largest since 1947, the earliest date for which records exist. Inflation also dropped, as did home and apartment construction in another record-breaking slump, with the annual construction rate falling by 4.5 percent. Prices for cars, clothes, and airline tickets have all taken a hit as retailers hope to entice consumers back to the marketplace during the economic slowdown. In addition, energy prices have sunk by 8.6 percent this month. Dropping prices can lead to deflation, a phenomenon not seen since the Great Depression, but most economists think prices will stabilize enough to prevent that from happening. - 11/19/2008

"Jobless rate up in county"--Yakima Herald-Republic
It's economic cause and effect. The preliminary unemployment figures from the Employment Security Department for Yakima County in October came in at 5.8%, up from 4.2% in October 2007. The rise in unemployment means losses elsewhere. Another article, "Zais warns sales tax drop-offs will continue", tells how sales tax receipts for the city of Yakima are $400,000 below forecast levels. So far it isn't creating a budget crisis, but the city is looking at ways to save money. - 11/19/2008

"Report validates Gulf War syndrome: Chemical exposures in '91 conflict cited"--Spokane Spokesman-Review
There has been a great deal of controversy dating back to the 1991 Gulf War over whether or not Gulf War syndrome really exists. A new report by the Research Advisory committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses concludes Gulf War syndrome does exist. The study links the illness to pesticides and a drug used to counter possible chemical warfare by the Iraqis. Other theories about the possible causes of Gulf War syndrome included the use of depleted uranium munitions and exposure to Iraqi chemical weapons. The Defense Department has put up GulfLINK, a website devoted to keeping military personnel and veterans informed about health issues stemming from the 1991 Gulf War. The Research Advisory committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses is one of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs run by the Defense Department. The Defense Department, the Veterans Administration, and the Department of Labor have also just launched the National Resource Directory For Wounded Warriors, Families And Caregivers. - 11/18/2008

"Wash farmers fight proposed 30K-head feedlot"--Longview Daily News
The farmer and the cowman should be friends, but that isn't always the case. In the old days it used to be about farmers putting fences across cattle ranges, but now it's about water rights. Dryland farmers north of Pasco are concerned about a proposed feedlot--or Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO)--for 30,000 head of cattle. The CAFO will be getting its water from an aquifer, and nearby farmers are concerned that it will dry up their wells. According an opinion from the Attorney General, there is no limit to the amount of water that an agricultural operation can draw for watering livestock. That amounts to about 433,183 gallons a day for this feedlot. The Department of Ecology approved the operation based on this opinion. The Department is drawing the line at additional water being used for dust control. CAFOs are also seen as a somwaht unregulated source of pollution. - 11/17/2008

"Concerns emerge about environmental effects of wave-energy technology"--Seattle Times
The birth of a new energy industry, wave energy, is sure to produce a few labor pains. Though more and more companies are interested in developing tidal and wave energy, researchers agree that more studies need to be done to determine the environmental effects the industry will have on marine life and the ecosystem in general. So far only one company out of the 100 that have been given preliminary permits has been granted an operating license. The brand-new technology has also spawned a need for an entirely new permit process, so the federal government has created a five-year-pilot permit in order to allow companies to begin their research. The new type of energy looks promising, but much more research into the cost and feasibility of mass production still needs to be done. - 11/17/2008

"FDIC says plan could help 1.5 million keep homes"--Olympia Olympian
The FDIC has posted a plan on its website to help keep homeowners afloat and prevent more foreclosures. The plan would use $24 billion of the $700 billion federal bailout fund to guarantee 2.2 million mortgages. The loans would be modified to reduce interest rates and extend repayment plans so that people can keep their homes. The FDIC says that with their plan, homeowners won’t spend more than 31 percent of their pretax income on loan payments. The Treasury Secretary has rejected the plan, but the FDIC apparently still thinks their plan makes the most sense for homeowners and for the economy. - 11/14/2008

"1 in 10 Spokane-area homes sold for loss"--Spokane Spokesman-Review
Some news is almost good news since it could be a lot worse. According to a survey by Zillow.com, a realty firm, one tenth of the people selling their homes in Spokane sold them for less than they paid for them. Zillow says the national average is more like 30% of homes are now sold for less than the sellers paid for them. (Washington State University and Eastern Washington University also have websites with information about the realty market and housing in the Spokane area.) Another story, "Washington's October tax revenue down millions", points to the problems for that falling home prices mean for government finances. According to the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council, tax revenues were own by nearly $53 million in its report for October-November 2008. The report also notes that "...for the month of September the number of transactions was 12.8 percent below the year-ago level and the average value per transaction declined 20.2 percent." - 11/13/2008

"Nutritional sticker shock from restaurants"--Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Beginning January 1, 2009, restaurants in King County with 15 or more locations nationwide will be required to post the nutritional information of their food either on or beside their menus. The new law, passed earlier this year, is one of a few nationwide that is attempting to address the country’s obesity problem by making people more aware of what they are eating. Although few studies have been done, researchers have found some indications that being able to see nutritional content before eating will encourage people to make better choices. Some opponents of the law think this is just another example of the government interfering in individual lives, and some restaurants have said that the law will give smaller competitors (who aren’t required to post nutritional contents) a competitive advantage. According to the CDC, over twenty-five percent of adults in Washington state qualified as obese in 2007. - 11/12/2008

"Tri-City mortgage market grows with FHA-backed loans"--Kennewick/Pasco/Richland Tri-City Herald
The tight credit market makes it very hard to get a mortgage or refinance an old one. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers options to homeowners and prospective home buyers. In the Tri-Cities Area many people are refinancing their mortgages or buying new homes through FHA-backed mortgages. The Federal Reserve Board and the Washington Department of Financial Institutions have websites with information for consumers looking into mortgages and home loans. - 11/10/2008

"Ideas for schools, but no funds yet"--Tacoma News Tribune
A state task force on education funding has been given five different proposals to increase funding and the overall effectiveness of the state’s schools. The proposals come from the superintendent of public instruction, a group of lawmakers, a coalition of education stakeholders, the League of Education Voters, and the chairman of the task force. While many of the proposals contain elements on improving education, few offer meaningful approaches to fund those endeavors. The task force says that funding for K-12 education in Washington is already complex, and comes from a variety of sources such as sales, business, and property taxes. A few fundraising suggestions include raising levy limits for individual school districts, or giving schools a larger chunk of state sales tax revenue. A member of the task force predicted that the legislature would need to allocate $2 billion more to schools over the coming years. - 11/10/2008

"2020 vision to clean up Puget Sound unveiled"--Olympia Olympian
A draft plan to clean up the Puget Sound has been released for public comment by the Puget Sound Partnership. The plan includes proposals to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals that enter the sound every year, and as wells as ways to repair and acquire shoreline habitats. The plan includes some proposals on possible funding sources, such as a regional utility with taxing powers, but no actual numbers are stated in the report. Puget Sound Partnership is planning on presenting their document to the legislature in December, and will ask them for $200 to $300 million at that time. Some who have seen the plan are cautious to point out that various clean-up efforts have been started in the last 25 years, with little to show for them. Puget Sound Partnership defends their plan by saying that science-based performance measures will help to keep it on track and on budget. - 11/07/2008

"Sound Transit hashing out details"--Seattle Post-Intelligencer
After last year’s rejection by voters, Sound Transit has finally been able to pass its transportation package that will make major enhancements to public transit in Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties. The package will be funded by a .5 increase in sales tax in those three counties. Now that it finally has voter approval, the hard work of implementing the proposed changes has begun. First on the list: 100,000 hours of bus service on the Regional Express needs to be added, which means mass changes and additions to routes and schedules. Among other things that the package needs to put in place: parking for 18 new light rail stations, decisions on where and how the Eastside link will run, and a more precise measurement of operating costs. There is some concern among policy analysts that Sound Transit has underestimated costs, given the current financial situation and the enormous expense involved. - 11/06/2008

"Gregoire claims victory, but Rossi not conceding"--Everett Herald
At the time of this posting, the polls show Gov. Chris Gregoire leading challenger Dino Rossi by seven percentage points. However, Rossi has stated that he is waiting until all the votes are counted before he is going to call the race. In the heated governor’s contest four years ago, Rossi was declared the winner on election night, but after two recounts Gregoire gained the governorship by a margin of 133 votes. Rossi says he does not want a repeat of what happened in 2004. In this year’s battle, Gregoire and Rossi raised a combined total of $25 million, and another $20 million was raised by independent political committees. Gregoire has been declared the 2008 victor by several news agencies, although more votes remain to be counted. - 11/05/2008

"Washington voters approve assisted suicide"--Spokane spokesman-Review
The second time's a charm for assisted suicide. I-1000, which gives terminally ill patients the right to physician assisted suicide, was one of the initiatives passed by Washington stat voters. This initiative, based on an Oregon law (see sections 127.800-127.995),lays out strict guidelines for this terminal procedure. Another initiative that passed was I-1029 which requires training and certification of long term care workers. I-985, the third initiative on the ballot, failed. It proposd to reduce traffic congestion by opening up the HOV lanes, synchronize traffic lights, and change the financing of highway work. You can find detailed breakdowns of the votes for these initiatives at vote.wa.gov. Most of the initiatives filed with the Secretary of State never made it to the ballot since no signatures were submitted on their behalf. - 11/05/2008

"Bellingham proposes new way to measure traffic impacts"--Bellingham Herald
The Bellingham city council is hoping to implement a new traffic impact system which would take into account other forms of travel besides just cars. The new system would divide the city into zones, and each zone would be allotted a certain number of “person trips,” a measurement counting each trip a person in that zone takes in a car, a bus, on foot, or any other mode of transportation. Areas the city wants to develop, such as the downtown area, would be granted more person trips to encourage construction and growth. Outlying zones would be given fewer person trips. Under the current system, only vehicle traffic is taken into account when developers submit a construction proposal. City planners hope that the new measurement will encourage private builders to take on sidewalk and bike lane construction in order to enhance the number of person trips allowed in their building zone. - 11/03/2008

"Getting There: Bus riding trend likely to stick"--Spokane Spokesman-Review
We Americans love our cars, but we also love convenience and our wallets. Spokane Transit's sharp increase in ridership proves this point. High gas prices make using the bus or other forms of public transportation more attractive while making people aware of this country's dependence on foreign oil. Increased use of public transportation also reduces greenhouse gas emissions by commuters. Because of these benefits, public transportation get a lot of support from the Washington State Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation. - 11/03/2008

"Alcoa to lay off 29 amid soft metal prices, demand"--Wenatchee World
It doesn't take long for the national economic crisis to spread the pain to local economies. Alcoa will be laying off 29 workers at the Wenatchee Works smelter. The layoff are in response to the tumbling price for the aluminum ingots that the smelter produces. The ingots are purchased by manufacturers to produce aluminum products. According to the preliminary figures for durable goods, one of the economic indicators compiled by the Census Bureau, orders for primary metals and fabricated metal products dropped in September while inventories grew. - 10/31/2008

"The Money Squeeze: Seattle residents cut spending sharply"--Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Want to get spooked this Halloween? Here goes: the gross domestic product figures for the third quarter show that not only is the economy slowing, it’s actually shrinking. Seattle consumers appear to be slightly more pessimistic than the national average, with about 59 percent believing that the economy will continue its downward spiral into 2009. Some say that’s because at the time the survey was performed, several Seattle companies—Washington Mutual and Boeing among them—were experiencing problems. Most economists believe that the nation is headed for a deep recession such as that experienced in the 1980s, but they do not think that the country will fall into another Great Depression. - 10/31/2008

"UW study: Indian Ocean, Pacific Northwest share history of tsunamis"--Seattle Times
Geologists researching in Thailand have found that enormous tsunamis have been a periodical problem for southern Asia, much the same as evidence found for tsunamis here in the northwest. Scientists believe that the Cascadia Subduction Zone off the coasts of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and northern California have produced tsunamis periodically, about every 500-600 years. The same phenomenon seems to be happening in southern Asian fault zones. Geologists have found that three other large tsunamis have struck Thailand in the last 3,000 years, and have been occurring 500-700 years apart. This news has made disaster preparedness all the more important along the northwest coast. A quarter of a million people died in the 2004 tsunami, largely because few people were aware that tsunamis were a threat. - 10/30/2008

"Camas, state tout ‘win-win’ water rights"--Vancouver Columbian
It's so rare these days to hear a story about water rights where everybody feels like they came out ahead. That's why the the city of Camas and the Department of Ecology are both so pleased about the agreement reached on Camas' water supply. Camas will cease drawing water from nearby streams and instead get its water from wells. More water in streams means better habitat for fish. Since water supplies are limited, stories about water supplies usually read like a zero sum game. A story in the Wenatchee World, "Pateros businesses lament PUD’s plan to lower river", is unfortunately typical. The Douglas County Public Utility District is going to lower the level of the Columbia River by 9 feet while it does maintenance work on the Wells Dam. This does not bode well for the businesses in Pateros that depend on revenue from steelhead fishing. - 10/30/2008

"Tribal vote no longer ignored"--Everett Herald
Native Americans were not allowed to vote in many states for years, and Washington barred them from the polls until 1950 (see Washington Constitution, Article VI and amendments). Now some elected officials count on Native American votes to decide tight elections. Maria Cantwell credits tribal leaders for helping her win the 2000 U.S. Senate seat from the incumbent, Slade Gorton. Tribes felt that Gorton’s policies would have limited their sovereignty. Both John McCain and Barack Obama have campaigned on Indian reservations this election season. Washington state has a Native American population of about 120,000, enough to swing an election. - 10/29/2008

"Area transportation construction projects stall in tight economy "--Yakima Herald-Republic
The Washington State Department of Transportation has ever so long a list of road and rail projects to complete at a time of tightening budgets and rising prices. Many of these projects are funded by the gas tax. Revenues from this tax have fallen since people are driving less. At the same time the cost of construction materials has sharply risen. As a result many projects have been delayed or cut back. The Yakima Valley is one region where this is being felt. The Yakima Valley Conference of Governments does its job by actively lobbying for its list of transportation issues. - 10/29/2008

"King County plans to close its offices for 10 days to save money"--Seattle Times
King County executive Ron Sims has announced that the county’s offices will close for an additional ten days next year in order to save money. Employees will not be paid for those ten days, and unionized employees would only receive a one percent cost-of-living increase, as opposed to the 4.9 percent agreed to in their union contracts. The shut-down will only affect nonessential services; police, transit, and wastewater services will remain in operation. Sims says he expects that the unions will approve the furlough, since disapproval would mean more layoffs. Five county council members said they will return the portion of their cost-of-living increase that is over one percent to save the county additional money. - 10/28/2008

"DOE study favors reusing nuclear fuel"--Pasco Tri-City Herald
Nuclear power is coming back in favor because it doesn't contribute to global warming, but it has one very dangerous byproduct: high level nuclear waste. Unless properly handled, spent nuclear fuel can emit fatal doses of radiation for thousands of years. Nuclear waste is piling up in storage sites around the country--so much that the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository could be filled by 2010. The Department of Energy (DOE) has recommended the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership look into reducing the amount of high level nuclear waste by closing the fuel cycle. The DOE has prepared a progammatic environment impact statement about this proposal and is holding hearings on it around the country, including in Richland on November 17. - 10/27/2008

"State officials allow few spiritual events on campus"--Olympia Olympian
This week saw the celebration of Christian Heritage at the state capitol, but these religious events are approved on a case-by-case basis and must fall in line with state law. The general administration department on the capitol campus approves all displays, events, and exhibits, which must not make the government be seen to promote or inhibit any religious or spiritual beliefs. Last year, an attorney won a lawsuit to display a Nativity scene at the capitol building which will be displayed again this year, and a group called Freedom From Religion will display signs and placards regarding the winter solstice. Gov. Gregoire proclaimed October 19 – 25 as Christian Heritage week, citing the state constitution’s reference to a Supreme Ruler as the basis for the event. - 10/27/2008

"McNeil Island prison saves waste – and money"--Tacoma News Tribune
The correctional facility is trying to do its part to be as environmentally friendly as possible and save tax payers money, too. The prison has instituted a number of programs that do just that, such as slowing down the passenger ferries that go to and from the island, recycling its own paper, plastic, cardboard, and metal, composting food waste, and donating prisoners’ worn out shoes to Nike for recycling. Slowing down and reducing the number of ferry runs each day reduces the amount of diesel fuel used, while the recycling and composting programs save waste from being dumped into landfills (which the prison must pay for). The shoe recycling program costs money to ship the shoes, but is better for the planet overall, say prison officials. They estimate total savings from the sustainability programs to reach about $630,000 per year. - 10/24/2008

"State seeks to clear air about car washes"--Spokane Spokesman-Review
The Department of Ecology is trying hard to stop the rumor that you'll be fined or go to jail for washing your car before that rumor becomes an urban legend. Instead the Department is offering suggestions on how to wash your car while minimizing pollution from detergent and road dirt. The rumor got its origin from an article in the Vancouver Columbian about state and county efforts to lower pollution in stormwater. Ecology's guidelines for local governments' stormwater ordinances mention car washing (see page 2), but as the sort of thing that can be solved by educating the public. That detail was missed when the article was picked up by other local news outlets and then went national. - 10/24/2008

"Dozens of Snohomish County layoff notices go out"--Everett Herald
Seventy-five Snohomish County planning employees have been notified that their jobs will be cut starting in January 2009, and lay-offs are slated for about 200 other county employees. The County Council cites a budget shortfall that may be as much as $20 million in 2009. All county departments have been asked to cut nine percent of their budget. Human Resources for the county will try to find positions for laid-off workers in other departments, but it’s not clear where those positions will come from. The county council will approve the final 2009 budget on November 24, even though they voted in March to switch to a biennial budget. Council members say they need to have more control over the budget right now than a two-year budgeting process would allow. - 10/23/2008

"US drops charges against 5 Guantanamo prisoners"--Tacoma News Tribune
The prosecutor for the five Guantanamo Bay detainees, Army Lt. Col. Darrel Vandeveld, said that the military was withholding evidence that could have proven the innocence of the prisoners. He asked a Pentagon official to dismiss the charges, which has been done, but the Pentagon can still make other charges at a later date. Representatives for the Pentagon say that the prisoners will not be released while prosecutors look at the evidence more closely. Meanwhile, prosecuting attorney Vandeveld has resigned. The decision about how to handle the five prisoners whose charges have been dismissed will probably be made by the next presidential administration. More information about the detainee program at Guantanamo Bay can be found here. - 10/22/2008

"Leaders seek to end racial gap in Washington schools"--Tacoma News Tribune
Black students statewide have consistently scored lower on the math section of the WASL than any other racial group, and have lower on-time graduation rates than white and Asian/Pacific Islander students. The state legislature recognized that this was a problem last year, and allocated $150,000 to implement an advisory committee that could help school districts close the achievement gap. One of the committee’s ideas is to create “Millennium Schools” that would serve as demonstration sites for best practices in education. Another idea is to recruit more minority teachers who understand the cultural needs and backgrounds of non-white students. - 10/20/2008

"State Health Board may require annual school inspections"--Wenatchee World
The State Board of Health is considering major changes to the rules governing health and safety in schools. The Board of Health put off a final decision on the proposed changes at a public hearing in Yakima. The rule changes would cover construction, maintenance, and mandate annual inspections by the local health districts (whose resources are already stretched thin). The changes would increase construction and administrative costs. Several of the public comments on the proposed rules used phrases like "unfunded mandate". - 10/17/2008

"A sweep for domestic violence suspects"--Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Seattle police hit the streets this week with a list of 270 people wanted for domestic violence misdemeanors. According to the department, there are about 1,000 outstanding domestic violence warrants in Seattle alone, and police responded to about 3,423 reports of domestic violence altogether during 2007. Thirty-two children have died as a result of domestic violence in the state of Washington since 1997, according to the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The Seattle sweep was part of a nationwide crack-down on domestic violence offenders during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. - 10/17/2008

"Report: EPA failing to stop sprawl runoff"--Seattle Times
According to a study released by the National Academy of Science, the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations on stormwater runoff have not been effective in curbing water pollution. The report contends that responsibility for containing stormwater runoff should be moved to local governments according to watershed boundaries, thus removing responsibility from state governments. The Department of Ecology in Washington has already been told to rewrite the rules for stormwater permits. Stormwater runoff is a major source of pollution in Puget Sound. Part of the problem with the current laws under the EPA is that they target specific contaminants, rather than runoff as a whole. - 10/16/2008

"Area bankers hopeful about federal initiative"--Spokane Spokesman-Review
At least bankers in the Inland Northwest are okay with the idea. If the Deparatment of Treasury wants to pump capital into their banks, they'll take it. The plan is part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act. It allows the Treasury Department to buy stock in banks and savings and loans. In turn this will prime the economy by giving the financial institutions money to loan out to businesses and individuals. These banks and savings and loans are overseen by the Department of Financial Institutions in Washington state. - 10/15/2008

"Border Patrol's expanded operation irking Washington farmers"--Bellingham Herald
The U.S. Border Patrol has implemented road blocks on the Olympic Peninsula and in Whatcom County to check the legal status of farm workers travelling in those areas. The Washington Farm Bureau is not happy with this procedure, which they say discourages immigrants from seeking work on farms in the state. Farm workers are already in low supply, and immigrant labor generally makes up the bulk of workers who harvest the crops raised here. Checkpoints on roads and ferry runs have resulted in the arrests of about 90 people, most of whom were illegal immigrants. State officials have agreed to screen immigrants applying for the federal guest worker program, but have not agreed to use the federal government’s special verification system. - 10/15/2008

"Benton-Franklin Health District cutbacks looming"--Pasco Tri-City Herald
The Benton-Franklin Health District is facing a disastrous budget shortfall. Even after cutting costs it's still $745,000 in the hole. It's not certain that Benton and Franklin Counties can make up the difference. This would force the counties to more than double the money they ccontribute to fund the district. If the district is forced to cut services, it will lose some of its state and federal funding since that funding is based on services offered by the district. Service cuts could be down to the level of the basic required duties of a local health district. Many preventive health programs would fall by the wayside. Nor would the budget cuts leave Benton and Franklin Counties in a good position to respond to a public health emergency. - 10/14/2008

"Port aims to dissuade future protests"--Olympia Olympian
Port commissioners at the Port of Olympia have unanimously voted to prosecute in civil court anyone who blocks port roads or interferes in any way with port business. This vote comes in reaction to a lack of criminal prosecution of protestors who gathered at the port last fall by the municipal court in Olympia, which has dismissed the case of one protester, and has hearings scheduled to decide whether to dismiss cases of three others. A representative of the group Olympia Port Militarization Resistance has said that they will not discourage further protests and claims that the port is the one engaging in illegal action. A lawyer who represents some of the protesters charged with wrong-doing said that the port’s threat to take cases to civil court is called a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, and is not generally viewed well in the legal community. - 10/14/2008

"Hidden wells, dirty water Part 2: Where's the accountability?"--Yakima Herald-Republic
(Part 1 of this series appared on Oct. 12.) Nitrates in drinking water can cause serious health problems and are found in many Yakima Valley water wells. It is believed one source of the nitrates could be Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) such as large dairy operations and feedlots. Another source can be liquid manure from CAFOs that is sold to farmers and put on fields. It can be very difficult to pinpoint the source of nitrate pollution. One way to check is for nitrate pollution around a CAFO is groundwater monitoring with wells, but that is expensive. The dairy industry opposes mandatory groundwater monitoring due to the costs. The industry persuaded the Department of Ecology, which is responsible for groundwater quality, and the Washington State Department of Agriculture, which inspects CAFOs, not to push for mandatory groundwater montiroing. The result is split authority for overseeing CAFOs while nitrates get in people's drinking water. - 10/13/2008

"Cross-Strait cable almost ready to go"--Peninsula Daily News
A 550-megawatt electricity transmission cable stretching from the Olympic Peninsula to Vancouver Island has received final clearance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The cable will be unique in that it will transmit energy from Canada into the U.S., crossing underneath the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The company that is proposing the cable, Sea Breeze Pacific, says that this underwater transmission line will allow U.S. customers to use Canada’s renewable energy sources such as hydropower and wind power. The company still needs several more permits before it can begin construction, but the green light from the Army Corps of Engineers was the last significant hurdle in making the cable a reality. - 10/13/2008

"Jefferson County sheriff sets rules for work with Border Patrol"--Port Angeles Peninsula Daily News
Local law enforcement officials on the Olympic Peninsula draw a clear line between their responsibilities and those of the U.S. Border Patrol. The Border Patrol has been increasing its presence along America's northern border as part of the Secure Border Initiative. Part of this initiative is identifying and detaining illegal immigrants. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, the Port Townsend Police Department, and the Port Angeles Police Department will draw on the Border Patrol when they need help with translating, but they do not enforce federal immigration laws. They do cooperate with the Border Patrol on the multi-agency Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Encforcement Team. - 10/10/2008

"Buckhorn called 'future of mining'"--Spokane Spokesman Review
There's still gold in those hills, but the trick is how to mine it without ruining water quality. Kinross Gold Corporation, owner of the new Buckhorn Mountain Mine near Kettle Falls, reached agreement with the Okanogan Highlands Alliance to spend $5 million on water quality monitoring and mitigation. This plan includes water quality along the access road to the mine. It's well worth it for Kinross since it's estimated the mine could produce a million ounces of gold. The problem of water pollution doesn't end when a mine goes out of operation. Pollution from heavy metals and PCBs from abandoned equipment are well documented. - 10/09/2008

"Pierce County Housing Authority opts to go bankrupt"--Tacoma News Tribune
Rather than face litigation for allowing a mold problem to continue, the Housing Authority has decided to declare bankruptcy. Eighty-one residents of Eagle’s Watch, an apartment complex in Puyallup, were in the midst of a lawsuit with the Pierce County Housing Authority over their negligence in addressing a mold problem when the commission voted to take this step. Filing for bankruptcy will mean that the residents will not be able to collect damages for health problems they say were caused by the mold. The bankruptcy will also mean that the Housing Authority can continue to provide service for its clients throughout the county, rather than spend time and money battling numerous law suits. The housing authority is a public landlord that provides affordable housing for low-income tenants. - 10/09/2008

"Washington's registered voters surpass record 3.5 million"--Seattle Post-Intelligencer
The Secretary of State’s office says that it has 3,515,000 people on record as registered voters so far, a record for Washington state. Nearly 281,000 are newly registered voters, thanks in part to voter-registration drives among low-income voters and college students. King County now has over one million registered voters, which is almost a third of the state’s total voting population. October 4 was the last day in Washington to register by mail, but citizens can still register in person at their county auditor’s office up to 15 days before the election. The Secretary of State’s Elections and Voting division has online voter’s guides and other voting information. - 10/08/2008

"State threatens to sue FERC over Bradwood Landing decision"--Longview Daily News
It seems that Washington state doesn't like Northern Star Natural Gas' Bradwood Landing project any more than Oregon does. Although the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved the project, Governor Gregoire has sent Northern Star a letter saying that FERC's decision is "premature". Like Governor Kulongoski of Oregon, Governor Gregoire is considering contesting the FERC decision in court. Both Oregon and Washington contend that FERC's approval ignored the need for Northern Star Natural Gas to get permits from state agencies. Washington is also concerned that a building a pipeline from Bradwood Landing through Cowlitz County would trigger eminent domain claims by Northern Star against landowners. - 10/08/2008

"Department of Energy faces huge cost increases"--Pasco Tri-City Herald
The General Accounting Office released a report criticizing the ability of the Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Managment (OEM) to manage the cleanup of nuclear waste sites. (A summary of the report can be found here.) The report looked at 10 OEM managed cleanup projects that would cost at least a billion dollars over a five year period. Five of the the 10 projects are at Hanford. The report showed a pattern of major delays and cost overruns. - 10/07/2008

"Lichens may be canaries in the coal mine"--Vancouver Columbian
As go lichens so goes air quality in the Columbia Gorge. Lichens are used to gauge changes in air quality. The species sensitive to nitrogen and acid rain are not doing well in that region. Sources of pollution include agriculture, a major power plant, and motor vehicles as well as natural causes. - 10/06/2008

"ORV's losses are hunters' gains"--Spokane Spokesman-Review
Hunting season starts soon, and disabled hunters will gain more access to the Colville National Forest. State regulations on hunting can be found here. At same time, some access roads are closed to off road vehicles (ORVs). Washington state law on ORVs can be found here. - 10/05/2008

"Former claims examiner criticizes Hanford ill worker program"--Pasco Tri-City Herald
The Department of Ecology, the Department of Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency hold annual State of the Site meetings in Washington and Oregon to discuss issues surrounding the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. The first meeting this year was held in Kennewick on October 2. Charges were levelled at the meeting that the Department of Labor has been less than fair in settling claims under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program. A former claims examiner said that legitimate claims were denied or their processing was delayed. This program is supposed to give benefits to current and former employees suffering from cancers associated with their jobs at various nuclear sites around the country. This program has paid out almost $300 million to claimants who worked at Hanford and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Other 2008 State of the Site meetings will be held in Seattle, Hood River, and Portland over the next 3 weeks. - 10/03/2008

"State rule clarifies 60-day supply of medical marijuana"--Seattle Times
The Department of Health has finally settled on the amount of medical marijuana patients may be allowed, although many aren’t happy with the result. DOH has declared that patients may have 24 ounces of usable marijuana and 15 plants. The state law on medical marijuana, passed by voters in 1998, only specifies that patients can have a 60-day supply, without specifying the exact amount of marijuana that is legal. Some medical marijuana advocates are disappointed with the health department’s new rule, saying that 24 ounces simply isn’t enough for a 60-day supply. The King County prosecuting attorney has said that his office will treat ill patients very leniently and will not prosecute them for marijuana possession as long as they have a legitimate need. - 10/03/2008

"State’s senators split on bailout"--Tacoma News Tribune
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell voted against the $700 billion bailout bill yesterday, taking the stance that American taxpayers should not have to use their money to shore up Wall Street. However, Washington’s other U.S. senator, Patty Murray, voted for the bill, agreeing that the legislation isn’t perfect but maintaining that the bill was urgently needed. Murray argued that if the bill didn’t get passed, average Americans would be the ones hardest hit by a financial collapse. The bill contains numerous tax breaks, including a sales-tax deduction on federal tax returns that saves Washingtonians millions of dollars annually. - 10/02/2008

"A new network of voters"--Seattle Post-Intelligencer
“Your Revolution”, is a Facebook application developed by University of Washington students to mobilize the social networking generation to get out the vote this November. The application allows Facebook users in Washington and Arizona to register to vote online (those are the only two states currently offering online registration). So far they have registered 4,500 new voters. The founders of “Your Revolution” say their next goal is to get online voting registration up and running in all 50 states, since the 18 to 24 demographic responds better when they can do things online. The deadline for online registration in Washington is Saturday, October 4, for the November 4, 2008 election. - 10/01/2008

"New state food stamp rule starts today"--Pasco Tri-City Herald
The Department of Social and Health Services has broadened eligibility rules for food stamps. Previously a family's income couldn't qualify for food stamps if its income exceeded 130% of the poverty level; now a family can qualify if its income is within 200% of the poverty level. The changes became effective on October 1. The number of people applying for food stamps in the Tri-Cities area has risen lately, mirroring a statewide trend. According to a recent report from the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development more than half the people who get food stamps also use food banks. - 10/01/2008

"Ecology authorizes new water releases from Grand Coulee"--Grand Coulee Star
The Department of Ecology has made it official--more water can be released from the Lake Roosevelt reservoir behind Grand Coulee Dam. The water releases are part of the Columbia River Program. The Department send two reports of examination to the Bureau of Reclamation. One of the reports is on water releases to maintain water flow in the Columbia River for fish and irrigation below the Grand Coulee Dam. The other report is on water releases to the Bureau of Reclamation's Columbia Basin Project. Part of this water will be used to replensih the rapidly dropping Odessa Aquifer. An article in the September 30, 2008 issue of the Moses Lake Coumbia Basin Herald, "State studying Odessa aquifer", notes that the Department of Ecology and the Bureau of Reclamation has made a $6 million grant to study options for replenishing the Odessa aquifer. The water level in this aquifer has dropped so low that some wells in the area are 2,400 feet deep. - 10/01/2008