DAILY NEWS
CRC ‘can’t wait,’ PTA opposes I-1240, Union-buster Mitt…
Monday, August 20, 2012
LOCAL
► In the News Tribune — If Congress doesn’t act, Washington faces defense layoffs— Washington state, with its dense concentration of military-related industries, could lose at least 41,000 jobs, according to a July study by Stephen Fuller of George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis.
► From AP — Banner year for state apple crop — Washington apple growers are expecting a bumper crop this year as workers begin harvesting the fruit from trees around the state.
BOEING
► In the PS Business Journal — Mighty 737 has rivals on its tail — and not just Airbus — Reasons for Boeing’s struggles in the 100- to 149-passenger range include airlines “upsizing” to larger versions and rising competitive pressure from other aircraft builders, especially Bombardier of Canada.
ELECTION
► In the News Tribune — State PTA won’t back charter schools — The Washington State PTA says it won’t support the charter school measure, Initiative 1240, that will come before voters in November. PTA’s governing board criticized I-1240 for what it characterizes as a lack of citizen involvement and oversight in charter schools that could result if the initiative passes.
► In the Spokesman-Review — Rep. Shea’s picture backed by GOP — The chairman of the Spokane County Republican Party is standing behind state Rep. Matt Shea’s decision to post a picture of himself on the Internet standing on his Democratic challenger’s property despite public outcry that cuts across partisan lines.
STATE GOVERNMENT
► In Sunday’s Columbian — State officials seek to greatly expand Medicaid — The outlook for Washington’s medically uninsured population may be a bit rosier by 2014, particularly for the more than 300,000 low-income people who may find themselves eligible for the state’s Medicaid rolls. But the desired expansion comes with a hefty price tag for the federal government, potential risk for the state and new concern for health care providers already stretched to care for current Medicaid patients.
NATIONAL
► At AFL-CIO Now — Trumka statement on passing of Utah AFL-CIO’s Jim Judd — The AFL-CIO president says Judd’s “passion and commitment will live on through his work and the countless people he helped.”
► At AFL-CIO Now — Striking Caterpillar workers ratify 6-year contract — Striking workers at a Caterpillar hydraulic parts factory in Joliet, Ill., voted Friday to ratify a proposed six-year contract, ending a nearly 16-week strike.
► In today’s NY Times — Caterpillar workers ratify deal they dislike — The workers voted to ratify a proposed six-year contract that contained almost all of the concessions the company had demanded.
ROMNEY-RYAN
► In the Olympian — Romney must settle tax-return issue(editorial) — The request for presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney to release his tax returns is not “small-minded.” It’s a test of whether Romney believes he plays by a different set of rules than other people, and whether American voters will give him their trust.
► In today’s NY Times — An unserious man (by Paul Krugman) — Ryanomics is and always has been a con game, although to be fair, it has become even more of a con since Ryan joined the Romney ticket.
The Stand posts links to Washington state and national news of interest every weekday morning by 9 a.m.