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Everett Herald

Gov. Inslee's first week on the job: Parties, pledges, pot

KIRO TV 7

Some Wash. lawmakers want faster election results

The Olympian

Blog: Kreidler: State needs to pass Reproductive Parity Act 

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AP

Washington lawmakers eye speeding vote tallies (Kevin Van De Wege, Hunt)

Membership in unions declines sharply

Pentagon opens combat roles to women

Defiant Clinton takes on lawmakers on Libya attack

Jobless claims drop again, hit new five-year low

Eyman initiative advances to Legislature

Marijuana forum Thursday night in Seattle
Pain med overdoses trending downward in Washington

Lawmakers looking at buying ferries from out of state

Bill would allow police access to red-light photos (Hurst)

AP Interview: Costa Rican president eyes drug laws

Record year for Washington nuclear plant

After shootings, states rethink mental health cuts

State to keep moving forward on legal pot

Sex trafficking suspect arrested in Kelso 

Aberdeen Daily World

Senators will sponsor resolution honoring Monte champs (Hatfield, Hargrove)

Arlington Times

Arlington students turn solar power into action

Cartoon: A Braaap Tax

Bainbridge Island Review

Legislators ask for audit on construction of new state ferries (Rolfes, Hansen, Appleton)

Ballard News Tribune

School levy special election ballots mailed out today

Bellingham Business Journal

Seasonal losses push Whatcom’s jobless rate to 6.9 percent

Regulators call for air-impact study on Gateway terminal

Bellingham Herald

Legislature to consider fourth Whatcom superior court judge  (Lytton)

Op-Ed:  Funding education a priority for state Legislature in 2013

Blog:  Live free, ride free: Bills would allow helmet-free motorcycling

Blog:  Fog lifts over Bellingham, but it still hangs heavy over state marijuana law

Blog:  State Rep. Jeff Morris seeks license fee revenue for new ferry  (Morris)

Blog:  Fourth Whatcom judge, other items introduced in Legislature  (Lytton, Morris)

Blog:  State's top justice calls McCleary decision very complex and difficult challenge

Blog:  Kreidler: State needs to pass Reproductive Parity Act

Blog:  Rep. Hunt says he killed own Inaugural Ball bill  (Hunt, Sullivan)

Blog:  UPDATE - Bill imposing a lobbyist fee gets mixed reactions  (Moeller, Hunt)

Columbian

tate to weigh in on light-rail petition controversy

What bills are local lawmakers backing? (Moeller, Stonier)

Lay groundwork for high-tech firms

The Daily News

Cowlitz County unemployment rate up to 10.6 percent for December

Everett Herald

Gov. Inslee's first week on the job: Parties, pledges, pot

Suit alleges state failed to protect child from convicted molester

Sheriff John Lovick issues statement on gun laws

Feb. 12 special elections in most of state

Harrop: Thinking is better second term around

Singletary: Programs that assist poor make us a stronger nation

Journal of the San Juan Islands

Op-Ed: Some fears overstated, but not China's abuse of coal

Kitsap Sun

Lawmakers want new audit to focus on costs of 64-car ferries  (Seaquist, Hansen, Appleton, Rolfes)

Mercer Island Reporter

Report shows Washington high-speed Internet improved in 2012

Who's in charge | Editorial

News Tribune  (subscription required)

Some fear selling Narrows bridge naming rights could get absurd (Fey, Liias, Clibborn)

Lawmaker wants to fix Public Disclosure Commission online system (Moeller)

Editorial: Finishing SR 167 should be high on delegation’s to-do list

Olympian (subscription required)

Lawmakers fear names like Chuck E. Cheese Bridge (Hunt, Fey, Liias)

Lawmakers might reconsider requiring that new ferries be built in Washington

Editorial: States can take lead in gun restrictions (Keiser)

Letter: Archivist Handfield served state capably

Blog: State's top justice calls McCleary decision very complex and difficult challenge

Blog: Kreidler: State needs to pass Reproductive Parity Act

Blog: Rep. Hunt says he killed own Inaugural Ball bill (Hunt, Sullivan)

Peninsula Daily News

Peninsula auditors oppose bill on late election night ballot counts (Van De Wege, Tharinger, Hargrove)

Port Orchard Independent

Commissioners select doctor to fill Kilmer’s seat (Schlicher)

Angel’s naming rights bill goes before committee

Puget Sound Business Journal

When will Boeing's 787 take to the air again?

Seattle Times

New state council looks at ways to get more kids into college

Lawmakers to take up Eyman's latest initiative

Thursday Memo: Nuclear power ... Naked man and hammering man ... Pot forum

Editorial: Time to reform state’s ‘three strikes’ law (Kline)

Editorial: Alcohol could, and should, be served at movie theaters | Ed cetera

Op-ed: Searching for balance in Washington’s Legislature | Thanh Tan / Times editorial columnist

Skagit Valley Herald

Skagit County well represented in scoping process (Coal Trains)

Spokesman Review

For Idaho lawmakers, concealed weapons permits don’t apply

Editorial: Hanford construction needs to slow down

Blog: Today's fun fact: Union membership

Blog: WA Lege Day 10: Judges in the House

Blog: Initiative on initiatives clears signature hurdle

Voice of the Valley

Death rate drops 23 percent for prescription pain med overdoses

Two initiatives to the Legislature

WalMart to the Rescue.....For Our Veterans

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)

Hewitt: Workers' comp bills a step forward

Editorial: Looks like the Sonics are back

Washington Ledge

Democrats In Washington Senate Slam Majority For Leak Investigation (Murray, Benton, Roach)

West Seattle Herald

Majority favor plastic bag ban, survey finds

Yakima Herald Republic 

Yakima legislator’s bill aims to have state pay counties for some state land (Blake)

Medicaid providers counting on coverage (Keiser)

Yakima gas prices near two-year low

Editorial: When does a renewed tax become a new tax?

BROADCAST

KING 5 TV (NBC)

Police, prosecutor want lawmakers to make red light cameras crime-fighting tools

Pack of wolf bills introduced in Olympia (Ranker)

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)

Some Wash. lawmakers want faster election results (Van De Wege, Hunt)

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)

Officials worry drivers will avoid Alaskan Way tunnel, toll

Proposal would allow theaters to sell beer and wine (Moeller)

KONP AM

Local legislator wants extended vote counting (Van De Wege)

KPLU FM

Prescription overdose deaths drop again in Washington

Authorities seek tougher penalties for false labeling of fish

Idaho's Hispanic education gap shrinks

KUOW FM

Seattle City Council Considers 520 Project Requests

New Bill Aims To Restrict Access To Wash. State Juvenile Offense Records  (Kagi, Darneille)

MyNorthwest.com (KIRO FM)

Local paper misleading again on arena deal

Bill would prevent mentally ill suspects from walking free

Rural sheriffs are crossing legal line on gun laws

Group pushes for more guns on Olympia college campus

Q13 TV (Fox)

Seattle teachers warned they must give students MAP test … or else

CPS takes too long to investigate child abuse, report says

Tolling on I-5? Committees discuss tolling on viaduct, other roadways

WEB

Adelante con Demócratas

Cuando de impuestos se trata, somos uno de los mejores y uno de los peores

The Capitol Record

GOP coalition, Democrats tussle over committee leadership in Senate (Murray, Fraser)

Senators Mike Padden, Adam Kline debate parental notification bill on ‘The Impact’ (Kline)

Seafood labeling bill, craft distilleries and workforce demands on ‘Legislative Review’

Crosscut

Gun control is not a four-letter word

Democrats rage against the Roach restoration (Murray, Frockt)

Coal Train, Part 3: Who gets to greenlight Bellingham's giant coal port?

The Daily Troll: Pam Roach, set to music. Seattle building up again. More ferry questions. (Seaquist)

HDC Advance

When it comes to taxes, we’re one of the best and one of the worst

Publicola

Wednesday Jolt: Reardon's Facebook Status, (Senate) Democrats' Status in Olympia

Schmudget

Lawmakers Should Strengthen Programs that Support Work

Seattle PI

Officials worry drivers will avoid Alaskan Way tunnel, toll

State a leader in green buildings

Blog: Will state’s Family Leave Act get axed?

Slog

So-Called "Moderate Democrat" Rodney Tom Sponsors Bill to Kill Washington's Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act, Just Because

New Poll: Washington State Voters Overwhelmingly Support Stricter Gun Laws

Teacher Rally Packs the School Board Meeting, School District Threatens Teachers with Suspension (Standardized Testing)

What Role Do Parents Play in Boycott of Standardized MAP Tests?

Staadecker Releases Gun Safety Plan

Quote of the Day

“Citizens need services that work for them and their families. My job, as a citizen-lawmaker, is to be an advocate for friends and neighbors back home in the 11th District.”

Rep. Zack Hudgins

Housedemocrats.wa.gov 12/19/2013

Story of the Day

Rep. Hans Dunshee (D-Snohomish) listens to a pitch by Jakob Rose and Matthew Rothering.

Local students pitch reforms to lawmakers

Can a high school student write a law?

The answer may surprise you.

Snohomish High school students have been coming to Olympia since 2005, drafting legislation and pitching their ideas to senators, representatives – and, this year, the governor of Washington State.

 “We work really hard on our bills,” said Matthew Rothering, who worked with classmate Jakob Rose on a bill titled The Bar Seating Act of 2013. “It’s cool to know that you can actually make a difference in Washington by vising the legislature.

Most kids my age, even most adults, don’t know the power you have, and how important your voice is to implement change.”

The students hail from the hometown of Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, who always devotes a large chunk of his day for when the students come down to Olympia.

“Most high schools don’t get to do what we do and that’s a shame,” Rose said. “We are the only high school who visits Olympia annually presenting our ideas to legislators.”

Students say they learn a lot more about democracy by actually participating, as students and as advocates for their ideas, than from listening to lectures and reading textbooks.

One of those ideas became state law.

In April 2005, Governor Christine Gregoire signed into law House Bill 1246, commonly referred to Courtney’s Law.

Courtney Amisson was fatally injured in 2002 by a dislodged speaker box that struck her during a car accident. The legislation got started by seniors from Snohomish High School, and after it got passed in the House and Senate and signed into law, all stereos and audio equipment in Washington state must now be secured to the automobile.

Snohomish High’s continuing success in Olympia is derived from their school’s curriculum—in particular, their Government program. Students will gain hands-on experience at the capitol.

Their exposure to a professional environment instills a sense of pride in their community and continued efforts for voicing the needs of their community.

“This is what democracy is all about,” Dunshee said. “They identify problems like drunk driving, do the research, draft legislation – then actually meet with lawmakers and staff to talk about it. Every year, I’m impressed by how hard they work on these ideas.”

Laws drafted by students at Snohomish High School

Here’s a sample of some of the ideas that students researched, drafted into legislation and pitched to lawmakers – and the governor – at the state capitol.

Genetically Modified Organisms (G.M.O.) Labeling Act of 2013 (by Kamon Harrell) — To inform the general public of what is in the food they are eating.

Highway and Interstate Illumination Act (by Ryan Farrens, Reece Goetz and Taylor Williamson) — To save lives and to make another safety precaution on the state highways and interstates mandatory.

Certified Used of Assault Rifles (by David Johnson and Cameron Duran) — Requiring future assault rifle owners to take and pass a certified test before they are allowed to purchase the rifle.

Tinted Windows for Bikini Stands Act of 2013 (by Bailey Toupin, Kylene Roken and Lan Nguyen)—To reduce distraction on the road to prevent accidents, and to keep the viewing of employees to intended audience.

Education Tax Exemption Act of 2013 (by Colin Laufmann & Christian Linder) — To exempt public school districts from paying retail sales tax.

Alcohol Theft Reduction Act of 2013 (by Jordan Ondras and Dakota Fergin) — To ensure the state and local government don’t lose money and prevent underage drinking.

Criminal Community Service Act of 2013 (by Amber Megis and Hannah Smith) — To improve community by establishing a relationship between it and the criminals who have affected it in order to prevent crime and make the people who have hurt the community restore it in some form of community service.

Pregnant Parking Act of 2013 (by Maggie Kacey, Sheyla Frausto and Damian Wagner) — To ease everyday activities of pregnant women while sourcing revenues for Washington state.

Bar Seating Act of 2013 (by Jakob Rose and Matthew Rothering) — To permit persons eighteen years old and above to accommodate a seat at an establishment that sells alcoholic beverages but not drink them.

The Ike Bill of 2013 (by Kieren Raney, Troy McCarty and Tanner Perry) — To allow a Special Education sports waiver after their four years of eligibility through the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.