Friday, July 24, 2015

LOCAL

► In today’s Seattle Times — Donald Chin spent life protecting, serving the Chinatown International District — For almost 50 years, Donnie Chin would don his khaki uniform and offer whatever he had — his food, his protection, his money or his time — to people in the Chinatown International District. Early Thursday, the 59-year-old man was shot and killed in the neighborhood he spent his life protecting. No arrests have been made, and Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole said the department will “work tirelessly to bring his killer to justice.”

STATE GOVERNMENT

► In today’s News Tribune — Nonbinding vote ahead on state gas-tax increase — Washington’s Nov. 3 ballot will include an advisory vote on a 12-cent gas-tax increase that is the centerpiece of a $16 billion transportation package. It’s one of the advisory votes required by a Tim Eyman initiative.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

► From AFL-CIO Now — It’s been six years since the federal minimum wage was last increased — The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 an hour since July 24, 2009. A worker with a full-time minimum wage job earns just $14,500 annually — a salary that would put a single parent of two children below the poverty line. It is past time to raise the minimum wage to a level that provides working people with economic stability, instead of trapping them in poverty.

► In today’s NY Times — Push to lift minimum wage is now serious business — It started in New York City as what seemed a quixotic drive confined to fast-food workers. But the movement to raise the hourly minimum wage took root in other parts of the country, and is emerging as a significant, and divisive, element in the presidential campaign.

► In the Washington Post — Is the Supreme Court headed for ‘Bush v. Gore’ II? (by Harold Meyerson) — This fall, the court has a splendid opportunity to deliver the most partisan decision it has rendered since Bush v. Gore. When the court rules in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association , which will be argued in the coming months, the Republican-appointed justices will be able, if they so choose, to create a long-term advantage for their party over the Democrats.

NATIONAL

► From AP — Applications for U.S. unemployment aid plummet to 42-year low — The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment aid plunged last week to the lowest in nearly 42 years. Applications for jobless benefits are a proxy for layoffs, so the low level indicates that employers are keeping their staffs and likely hiring at a steady pace.

► From Reuters — Ford, UAW, formally begin labor talks; jobs to Mexico at issue — Earlier this month, Ford announced that it would move production of its Focus and C-Max small cars from a plant near Detroit in 2018. Ford has not confirmed UAW officials’ comments that the production will move to Mexico.

► In today’s NY Times — Government pension cuts tangled in patchwork of legal rulings — Steps taken by states and cities to rein in pension plans have resulted in a tide of litigation, with vexing and sometimes contradictory results.

► From FOX 5 San Diego — Hundreds protest as ALEC conference begins — More than 1,000 protesters aligned with organized labor and social justice organizations demonstrated Wednesday in downtown San Diego against an organization that they contend allows corporate lobbyists to cozy up to lawmakers.

T.G.I.F.

► At the WSLC Convention yesterday, this song was played as state Attorney General Bob Ferguson was escorted to and from the podium for his address to delegates. Before beginning, he expressed amazement at the level of research that went into the event, given that this very song was featured prominently at his wedding. The Entire Staff of The Stand, the WSLC’s resident DJs, would love to take credit for the choice, but it goes to none other than WSLC President Jeff Johnson. Full disclosure: Jeff picked it because he likes it, not because he knew of Ferguson’s fondness for it. Enjoy!

The Stand posts links to Washington state and national news of interest every weekday morning by 10 a.m.