AEROSPACE

► In today’s News Tribune — Boeing adds almost 9,000 to state payrolls since 2010 — Boeing’s Washington payroll, propelled by production pace increases and new aircraft development projects, grew by nearly 9,000 workers since the end of 2010, hitting a level that hasn’t been equaled since 1999. The company reports it employed 82,325 workers in Washington at the end of last month. That compares with 73,617 Washington employees the company reported just 14 months ago.

► From AP — WTO rules Boeing received $5.3 billion in illegal U.S. aid for 787 — Although the WTO appeals panel did say Boeing received illegal aid, the sums were far smaller than the EU alleged and a fraction of the $18 billion in subsidies a WTO panel has ruled that European governments provided Airbus. U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk called the ruling “a tremendous victory for American manufacturers and workers… It is now clear that European subsidies to Airbus are far larger — by multiples — and far more distortive than anything that the United States does for Boeing.” (Also see coverage in today’s NY Times and Washington Post.)

► In today’s Seattle Times — Astronics to expand in Kirkland, hire more workers –The aviation-electronics company plans to move from Redmond to Kirkland to a new facility that will house its engineering and manufacturing operations. The company employs more than 300 people locally designing and assembling power units for aircraft seats.

► In today’s (Everett) Herald — Renton official named director of state’s new Aerospace Office — Alex Pietsch will be responsible for crafting a strategy to support an industry with 650 aerospace companies.

► In today’s Seattle Times — Check out the Lamborghini Aventador ‘Boeing edition’ — In recognition of its partnership with Boeing on advanced materials such as the carbon fiber used in the 787 Dreamliner, Lamborghini today is unveiling a one-of-a-kind Aventador LP 700-4 with a swoopy, blue and white Dreamliner-esque color scheme.

STATE GOVERNMENT

► In today’s Kitsap Sun — Ferry system wins big in transportation budget— Washington State Ferries locked up a second new 144-car vessel and Kitsap County stepped toward solving two of its worst traffic problems last week when the Legislature agreed on a supplemental transportation budget.

► From AP — State leaders discuss plans for new budget— The special session started Monday, but only a handful of lawmakers were in town while House and Democratic leaders try to come to an agreement over the supplemental budget.

► At TheOlympian.com — State revenues slip by $7.7 million since forecast — The monthly collections report released Monday shows too little change to move the needle on budget talks that were kicking off in special session.

ELECTION

► In today’s (Everett) Herald — Inslee’s focus belongs here (editorial) — Jay Inslee’s decision to resign his 1st Congressional District seat to devote his full attention to the race for governor serves the best interests of Washington voters. Now the likely gubernatorial finalists can engage in a robust campaign of ideas. The current budget battle in Olympia provides a meaningful template.

► ALSO at The Stand — Jay Inslee goes “all in” in campaign for jobs

► In today’s (Everett) Herald — McKenna’s campaign raises $250,000 in 3 days — The Republican Attorney General’s haul occurred when his gubernatorial campaign made a fierce effort to raise money during the three-day thaw in fundraising between the regular and special sessions.

► In the Peninsula Daily News — Sen. Hargrove to run again — but not for Congress — The 24th District Hoquiam Democrat has decided to run for re-election to the State Senate seat rather than for U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks’ seat.

► At Publicola — Tarleton will run for open seat in 36th — Seattle Port Commission President Gael Tarleton says she’s running for the state House seat being vacated by Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson.

EDITOR’S NOTE — The Seattle Port Commission has been in the news recently regarding its (successful) opposition to labor-supported job-security legislation for SeaTac airport concessions workers and a new McAirport proposal.

► At Slog — With Hudgins’ departure and Kastama’s political suicide, Secretary of State race gets interesting

LOCAL

► In today’s Yakima H-R — Oregon firm hits snag in bid to buy Snokist — Truitt Brothers’ bid of nearly $42.5 million for the assets of bankrupt Snokist Growers suffered a setback Monday when the Salem, Ore., company was unable to secure financing before a noon deadline.

► In the Wenatchee World — Charlie Sheen named Grand Marshal of Wenatchee’s St. Paddy’s Day parade — The Hollywood bad boy has been named grand marshal of the parade that will begin at the customary “7ish” Saturday evening.

NATIONAL

► At AFL-CIO Now — Ignoring workers, Minnesota Senate panel passes ‘Right to Work’ measure — More than 1,500 Minnesota working men and women packed the Capitol hallways Monday to protest a corporate-backed bill that would put a so-called right to work state constitutional amendment on the November ballot. The state Senate Judiciary Committee passed the bill by a 7-6 vote.

► In today’s LA Times — New rules aim to ease state-run health insurance exchanges — The rules issued Monday give states some flexibility in deciding how to run their exchanges, while also allowing states that are not ready by 2014 to get help opening their exchange a year later. It remains unclear whether the rules will be sufficient to overcome political resistance in many Republican-led states to establishing anything that would support the Affordable Care Act.

► ALSO at The Stand — Consumers in Washington score historic victory on health plan standards (by Teresa Mosqueda)

► In today’s NY Times — GOP split over bid to revise budget deal — The House is bracing for a rancorous showdown over a 2013 budget plan that has already divided Republicans because of a push by conservatives to cut spending below the level both parties agreed to in last year’s deal to raise the federal deficit.

► In today’s Washington Post — Congress remains deeply unpopular, polls finds — About one-third of Americans approve of the way congressional Democrats are doing their jobs, compared to a 23% approval rating for Republicans.

► In today’s Washington Post — Poll: Voters want SuperPACs to be illegal — Nearly seven in 10 registered voters would like super PACs to be illegal, including more than half who feel that way strongly.

► In today’s NY Times — A rejection of discrimination (editorial) — The courts did the right thing by blocking voter ID laws in Texas and Wisconsin that aim to keep people from the polls.

The Stand posts links to Washington state and national news of interest every weekday morning by 9 a.m. These links are functional at the date of posting, but sometimes expire.