STATE GOVERNMENT

► In today’s Columbian — Local teachers rally against proposed health care changes — “Because of our union, because we stand together, I had choices,” a tearful Tiffany McCormick told a crowd of about 500 teachers Monday. She switched to a Kaiser Permanente insurance plan that offered more coverage, and beat cancer. “I feel safe with these plans,” she said. “You take that away, and I’m going to fight just like I fought cancer.”

► From AP — In reversal, judge’s ruling affirms liquor privatization initiative— A Cowlitz County judge ruled Monday that a voter-approved initiative privatizing liquor sales is constitutional, reversing an earlier decision that had left the measure’s fate in question. Initiative opponents said they would appeal the ruling directly to the state Supreme Court. The initiative takes effect June 1.

LOCAL

► In today’s Tri-City Herald — PNNL to lay off 45 this week — Pacific Northwest National Laboratory plans to lay off 45 employees this week to adjust to the fiscal 2012 federal budget approved in late December. It also has reduced retirement benefits in a move that lab officials say is tied to long-term costs rather than the current budget.

► In today’s Seattle Times — Swedish Hospital system warns staff of likely layoffs — Swedish Medical Center delivered some grim news to employees Monday: Swedish is losing $250,000 a day and likely will have to lay off workers.

► In the Wenatchee World — New contract approved for Chelan PUD union — IBEW Local 77 workers will get as much as a 7% wage increase over the next three years, but will gradually pay about 5% more for their health insurance coverage.

► In today’s (Longview) Daily News — ILWU Local 21 President pleads guilty to misdemeanor charges — Dan Coffman pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor charges related to last year’s dispute over hiring practices at the EGT grain terminal. He was sentenced to 20 hours of community service and fined $600.

ELECTION

► In today’s (Everett) Herald — Inslee finished in Congress, now focuses on campaign — “It was a great American experience, every single year and every single day,” Inslee said Monday, the last day of the Democratic lawmaker’s 15-plus-year career in the U.S. House of Representatives.

ALSO SEE — Jay Inslee goes ‘all in’ on campaign for jobs

BOEING

► From AP — Boeing worker hurt in accident at Everett plant — A fire department spokesman says a Boeing worker was seriously injured in an accident Monday night.

► In today’s Seattle Times — Boeing, Airbus watchers fear production rates headed too high — Boeing and Airbus are ratcheting up production of narrowbody aircraft to excessive and unsustainable rates, according to many industry insiders at an aircraft conference. Boeing decidedly doesn’t think so, and is determined to build jets at full speed ahead.

NATIONAL

► At Huffington Post — Unemployed to lose benefits in several states — The federal Extended Benefits program, which in states with high-unemployment rates grants claimants out of work for a long period of time a final 13 to 20 weeks of benefits, will be phased out on April 7 in Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

► In today’s Washington Post — House Republicans to propose dramatic changes to tax code — House Republicans on Tuesday will propose a dramatic reshuffling of the tax code that would collapse the range of individual tax brackets into just two, with lower rates, and slash the top tax rate for corporations.

► In today’s NY Times — You scratch my back… (editorial) — Republicans and Democrats have joined forces in support of the JOBS Act, which will undo investor protections, including parts of the Sarbanes-Oxley law.

TAKE A STAND — Urge your Senators to oppose the so-called JOBS Act.

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.