DAILY NEWS
State employee deal, Wisc. smackdown, affirm R-74…
Monday, September 17, 2012
STATE ELECTIONS
► For more details, see the WFSE Hotline.
► In Sunday’s Olympian — State, home care workers deserve much better (by Brendan Williams) — In her final months in office, Gov. Chris Gregoire still has the opportunity to leave an important legacy. She can do so in two related ways. First, she can negotiate collective bargaining agreements with state and home care workers that honor dedicated service during years of sacrifice. Second, she can accept a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling against cuts to those providing disabilities’ care.
THE WAR ON UNIONS
► From AP — Wisconsin AG aims to enforce union law during appeals— The state’s Republican attorney general said he would seek court permission to keep enforcing a state law that effectively ended collective bargaining for public employees while his office appeals a judge’s ruling striking it down.
ELECTION
► In today’s Seattle Times — It’s time for Washington voters to approve same-sex marriages (editorial) — Washington voters have been asked to approve a law that celebrates the family values that empower the state and respects religious freedom. They should vigorously approve Referendum 74 and legalize same-sex marriage.
► In today’s Seattle Times — Parties pouring case into race for governor — In this era of multimillion-dollar super PACs and independent spending, money given to the political parties in Washington still plays a critical role in financing gubernatorial races.
► In the Spokesman-Review — Inslee, McKenna propose tax tweaks — Their proposals differ, but neither is revolutionary, experts say, and they may not provide the kind of economic boost the candidates suggest.
EDITOR’S NOTE — And lest we forget, this dubious honor that Rep. Hargrove won earlier this year.
LOCAL
► In the (Everett) Herald — Business owner accused of not paying workers’ comp — An employee’s fall from a roof has authorities crashing down on a Lake Stevens business owner. David Rau, 49, has been charged with a felony based on allegations that he didn’t report his employees’ work hours in an effort to avoid paying workers compensation.
HEALTH CARE
► In today’s Washington Post — Romney’s health plans would affect seniors’ care, studies find — A growing body of research suggests that his plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act and cut Medicaid funding would have a direct impact on the health care that seniors receive.
► A related story in The Hill — Voters give Obama the edge on health care — Several recent polls show Obama with an advantage — often a sizeable one — when voters are asked which candidate would do a better job handling healthcare. Obama held that lead even before Romney selected Paul Ryan as his running mate, which elevated the debate over Ryan’s controversial Medicare plan.
NATIONAL
► In today’s NY Times — Chicago teachers’ strike enters 2nd week — The teachers’ strike continues Monday, days after teachers’ union leaders and public schools officials reached a tentative agreement that won only modest support among the union’s members during a weekend meeting.
► In The Hill — Lawmakers concede Postal Service overhaul not likely before Nov. election — House Republicans have acknowledged that one of the reasons for the current delay is that it could be a tough vote for some of their members, especially those from more rural areas.
EDITOR’S NOTE — After the study was released, Congressional Republicans immediately failed to announce that they will stop holding the middle-class tax cuts hostage and quickly didn’t approve President Obama’s proposal to allow Bush-era tax cuts to expire for the wealthiest Americans. “Hey, we were wrong about this — I can admit that and do the right thing,” GOP House Speaker John Boehner never said in his whole life.
► In today’s NY Times — Republicans vs. veterans’ jobs (editorial) — A jobs bill that would support veterans is being blocked by some wacky maneuvers in the Senate.
► In The Hill — Obama launches WTO suit against China over auto export subsidies — The Obama administration filed a trade case Monday against China, which it says has provided auto and auto parts companies with at least $1 billion in illegal export subsidies.
► In today’s NY Times — Canada auto workers’ chief renews strike threat — If no agreement was signed or close to resolution before the strike deadline of 11:59 p.m. on Monday, the union may start three simultaneous strikes. Such a step would be unprecedented for the Canadian union, which normally selects just a single company as its strike target.
TODAY’S MUST-READ
The Stand posts links to Washington state and national news of interest every weekday morning by 9 a.m.