News Clips— Soaring/Diving

October 9, 2006 12:00 am

Soaring Diving
  • County Council member Kent Pullen seeks credit in heaven by nixing limits on the size of suburban churches; his charge that the rules constitute religious discrimination are denied by County Executive (and ordained Baptist minister) Ron Sims.
  • The Washington Education Association stopped just short of “un-endorsing” Governor Gary Locke over his unwillingness to grant raises to all teachers; the powerful teachers union is considering petitioning the Legislature for a “do-over” of the 2000 gubernatorial election.
  • Eastside Democrats take heart: Party leaders think sportscaster Tony Ventrella could be just the candidate to depose Republican Jennifer Dunn in the 8th Congressional District (or, as Tony calls it, “the Big Eight”).
  • Salmon everywhere are nervous over the prospect of former state Senator Dan McDonald taking over as the regional federal fisheries administrator; the conservative Republican was a longtime proponent of pruning environmental regulations.
  • Non-parents hoping to maintain their status are cheered by pending legislation requiring health insurance companies to cover women’s contraceptive costs; condom manufacturers are expected to mount a fierce opposition campaign.
  • Ferry riders are stewing about a proposal to boost car ferry rates by 20 percent and to more than double passenger-only fares—this insignificant increase was brought to you by Tim Eyman and Initiative 695.