State Rep. Jeff Morris, D-40th, has introduced legislation that he says would finance construction of a new state ferry by changing state policy on vehicle tab fees. If you're in the habit of getting your new vehicle tabs via the Whatcom County Auditor's office, either online or in person, Morris's H.B. 1129 will raise your renewal cost by $5 a year.
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A power shift in the Senate and pressure to increase school funding despite a budget deficit have set the stage for the 2013 state legislative session, which starts Monday, Jan. 14.
With three Republicans and three Democrats representing Whatcom County, reactions are predictably mixed to the Republican takeover of the Senate. The party effectively has a one-vote majority, after the 23 Republicans, and Democrats Rodney Tom and Tim Sheldon, announced last month they were forming a new caucus.
Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, has been an outspoken critic of the shakeup.
A House committee held a public hearing Friday on a measure that would tax marijuana brand names and trademarks likely to be introduced in the state of Washington when the sale of recreational marijuana starts at the end of the year.
The great-great-great-grandson of escaped slave and abolitionist Frederick Douglass, as well as the great-great-grandson of Booker T. Washington, the pioneering African American educator, he said it has taken him many years to figure out to handle so much historical weight.
Some call it the "silver tsunami" -- the coming wave of retirements as members of the baby boomer generation turn 65 and presumably exit the work force.
Along with more time to play golf or visit with grandchildren, getting older comes with aches and ailments. Those boomers who stop working as doctors, nurses or medical assistants will need the services of the health care workers left behind. In other words, more demand and fewer providers.
Local health care officials say the Tri-Cities could be better positioned than many communities in the nation when that tsunami hits because of the presence of two local nursing schools graduating the next generation of health workers.
Come what may in the next 12 months, 2013 has this much going for it: It’s a year without a midterm election, and a year that’s as far removed as possible from the next presidential race.
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