DAILY NEWS
Boeing ‘softness,’ tax-free Trump, Why Worry…
Friday, August 12, 2016
BOEING
► In today’s Seattle Times — Back to the future: a new Boeing recession? (by Jon Talton) — Despite being a much more economically diverse region with technopolis and major world headquarters, this is still Jet City. Boeing is the largest private-sector employer in the state. It remains a bastion of family-wage union jobs. And don’t think big reductions in employment would only affect Everett — workers at the massive assembly plant there and nearby aerospace companies live throughout the region.
LOCAL
► In today’s Peninsula Daily News — Nippon paper mill, cogeneration plant in Port Angeles for sale — The Nippon Paper Industries USA plant and the company’s newly built biomass cogeneration plant west of downtown Port Angeles are being marketed for sale. There is no sign the mill, which employed 160 as of June 2015, would be closed, said City Manager Dan McKeen.
► From KPLU — It’s official — KPLU has new call letters: KNKX — Friends of 88.5 FM, a nonprofit community organization formed to preserve local National Public Radio affiliate KPLU, announced new call letters today. The new community-owned station will be called KNKX, which stands for “Connects.”
STATE ELECTIONS
EDITOR’S NOTE — Here are a few of the Republican bills from this year that would have a chance if they gain control: privatizing workers’ compensation (an idea overwhelmingly rejected by voters — in every county — just a few years back), blocking local wage and employment standards (which would cut the higher minimum wages approved in SeaTac, Seattle, Tacoma and elsewhere) and of course, making Washington a so-called “right-to-work” state that bans employers and unions from including union-security provisions in contracts.
EDITOR’S NOTE — So she’s still rooting for a racist, misogynistic, truth-challenged xenophobe to earn her vote?
► In today’s News Tribune — Bring ballots behind bars in Pierce County (editorial) — Inmates at the Pierce County Jail have the right not to remain silent when it comes to exercising their right to vote, but few may know it. For last week’s primary election, the 1,200-plus inmates residing in the county jail had no access to voter registration or ballots. These frustrated potential voters are locked up, but that doesn’t mean they should be locked out of the system.
NATIONAL ELECTIONS
► In today’s NY Times — Hillary Clinton’s plan for a fair economy (editorial) — While not comprehensive, the proposals are realistic, incremental and far better than Donald Trump’s vague plan.
► In today’s NY Times — The millions of Americans Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton barely mention: The poor — While their platforms are markedly different in details and emphasis, the candidates have this in common: Both promise to help Americans find jobs; neither has said much about helping people while they are not working.
► From Time — Donald Trump’s business past at odds with rhetoric on trade — Trump has long sent most of his businesses overseas, from clothing apparel to hotel construction parts and all the various products he has branded.
ALSO at The Stand — Tax-free Trump says his returns are ‘none of your business’ (by Leo W. Gerard)
► From The Hill — Trump: Calling Obama ISIS founder was ‘sarcasm’
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
► In the Chicago Tribune — TPP more likely to harm than help American workers (by U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski) — I support fair trade and developing new trade agreements, but they must benefit America’s middle class, raise wages and safeguard the consumer and environmental protections that we rely on. America should go back to the drawing board on the TPP and get this right.
► From Politico — McConnell: I may not be majority leader next year — Mitch McConnell may not be leading the Senate majority next Congress, the Kentucky Republican acknowledges, hinting of the down-ballot effect Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump could have on Senate races.
EDITOR NOTE — Here’s hoping.
NATIONAL
► From MMAfighting.com — With support of major sports names, new group forms to get UFC fighters unionized — The Professional Fighters Association (PFA) has been established with a goal to get collective bargaining for UFC athletes. The PFA has also received the support of the MLBPA, NFLPA, NHLPA, NBAPA and MLSPU.
► From The American Prospect — Gender wage gap raises the stakes for the American economy — A new study connects declining female employment and the persistent gender pay gap with a lack of workplace protections for women and families.
TODAY’S MUST-READ
T.G.I.F.
► Happy 67th birthday to Mark Knopfler, the former Dire Straits frontman, accomplished solo artist, and one of the all-time great rock guitarists. Here he is singing an absolutely beautiful song with a poignant message, a song that for many years served as the go-to lullaby for the young children of The Entire Staff of The Stand. Enjoy!
The Stand posts links to Washington state and national news of interest every weekday morning by 10 a.m.