DAILY NEWS
Inslee’s budget ● ACA anxiety ● No raise for most
Monday, December 17, 2018
THIS WASHINGTON
ALSO at The Stand — Teachers’ unions back Inslee’s budget plan — But AFT Washington urges greater investment in Washington’s community and technical colleges.
► In today’s Seattle Times — Inslee’s big tax plan: Even Democratic lawmakers aren’t all on board — While many say they support his ambitious budget proposal, Washington’s Democratic lawmakers Friday gave mixed reviews of Gov. Jay Inslee’s $3.7 billion tax package. Three moderate Democratic senators (Takko, Mullet, Hobbs) say they are unlikely to support a capital-gains tax.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Columbian fails to find a business owner who’ll complain about the coming increase.
► In the Seattle Times — Yakima County strains to pay for $65/hour court interpreters vital for justice — Two full-time Spanish interpreters, supplemented by freelance interpreters, provide assistance for criminal defendants, parties in civil lawsuits and families of juvenile offenders so they can hear court proceedings in their own language and be able to actively participate in the process. It is a job where more help is needed, the county’s budget is straining and state reimbursements do not make up the difference.
► In the Spokesman-Review — Shea donations from surplus campaign money prompt complaint — The Spokane Valley Republican’s use of leftover campaign funds for contributions to conservative groups has drawn a PDC complaint.
LOCAL
► In today’s (Everett) Herald — Boeing buying 80% stake in Embraer for $4.2 billion — Boeing will have operational and management control of the company. Embraer will keep consent rights for some decisions, such as the transfer of operations from Brazil.
HEALTH CARE
► In the NY Times — What the Obamacare court ruling means for open enrollment — When a federal judge in Texas struck down the Affordable Care Act on Friday, ruling that its mandate requiring most people to buy health insurance was unconstitutional, it thrust Obamacare into the spotlight right at the deadline to sign up for next year’s coverage. Open enrollment was scheduled to end on Saturday in most states, and every year, a surge of people sign up at the last minute.
THAT WASHINGTON
► From The Hill — GOP leader faces Trump test in latest shutdown crisis — Senate Majority Mitch McConnell has made it clear that he wants to avoid a government shutdown, for which Republicans would get most of the blame. But he’s letting Trump, who has threatened to veto a spending bill that fails to fund his wall, take the lead.
► In today’s Washington Post — China temporarily suspends increased tariffs on U.S. vehicles and auto parts — China took a step toward extending its truce with the Trump administration Friday, announcing that it would temporarily suspend punitive tariffs imposed on American-made cars and auto parts as the U.S.-Chinese trade war ramped up. But the gesture was somewhat hollow, analysts said, as the tariffs will simply return to their July level.
NATIONAL
► From MarketWatch — More than half of Americans say they didn’t get a pay raise this year — Although the economy saw new peaks in 2018, not all Americans report reaping the benefits. More than 60% of Americans said they didn’t get a pay raise at their current job or get a better-paying job in the last 12 months, according to a new survey.
► In the Detroit News — Snyder signs laws weakening minimum wage, paid sick leave initiatives — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder on Friday signed controversial bills to weaken minimum wage and paid sick leave initiatives that had been headed toward the Nov. 6 ballot before the Republican-led Legislature intervened. Democratic minorities in the state House and Senate were unable to stop the GOP maneuver, which has no direct precedent and is likely to spur lawsuits.
► From Fast Company — Did a slave make your sneakers? The answer is: probably — According to a new report, one of the largest sectors that relies on forced labor is the $3 trillion apparel and footwear industry. An estimated 60 million to 75 million people are employed in this global sector. And while most of us realize that these workers are paid very little, the reality is that some are not paid at all.
TODAY’S MUST-READ
Fulfillment Center warehouse in Minnesota — On Friday evening, this placid town of 40,000 on the outskirts of Minnesota’s Twin Cities became the epicenter of the fight for humane working conditions at one of the world’s most valuable companies. Friday’s protest was intended to pressure Amazon to not only improve working conditions and allow for proper religious expression, but to create a fund that addresses racial disparities in the community and set up an independent review body for HR complaints.
EDITOR’S NOTE — It’s a shipping warehouse, not a “Fulfillment Center.” Amazon likes to call it that, among other reasons, to try to get out of paying warehouse industry wages in Europe, where pay is negotiated by industry.
The Stand posts links to Washington state and national news of interest every weekday morning by 10 a.m.