State Senator O’Ban proposes new plan to save Pierce County from high car tabs
Given more than 66 percent of Pierce County voters approved I-976 and a majority rejected ST3, Republican State Senator Steve O’Ban (28th LD) will push legislation that would allow Pierce County to exit from Sound Transit’s Regional Transit Authority with respect to light rail during the 2020 legislative session. O’Ban calls the legislation his “Trexit” bill. O’Ban’s move comes as the future of the $30 car tab measure remains undetermined.

Study shows U.S. would lose billions by breaching the lower Snake River dams  (duh)
The Pacific Northwest Waterways Association conducted an independent study on the impacts on transportation and infrastructure caused by breaching the lower Snake River dams. They found that it would lead to higher rail rates to move freight and would impact air quality substantially, saying, “Loss of dams would also significantly increase carbon emissions and impacts to fragile economies.” Overall, the study concluded that dam removal would cost the U.S. over $2.3 billion dollars.

Income tax on capital gains
Explanatory note:  Capital gain is the income (or loss) people get for risking money on an investment.  Any people who invest their money rather than spending it on consumption have capital gains. State proposals include gains made on house sales.

Public records reveal what officials at Washington’s Department of Revenue (DOR) have been saying about the state capital gains income tax proposal. Documents reveal DOR officials acknowledge that the federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) classifies the capital gains tax as an income tax. The public records requests – courtesy of the Washington Policy Center’s Jason Mercier – also reveal how DOR officials are preparing to combat legal arguments against potential state capital gains income tax proposals.

WSDOT overcharged drivers using SR 99 tunnel
According to the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT), more than 1,500 vehicles were overcharged using the SR 99 tunnel from Nov. 9, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2019. The cars were overcharged 25 cents due to a “technical glitch” involving an extra “photo-enforced fee.” Public records reveal the fee was refunded 1,518 times from Nov. 9 to Dec. 31. WSDOT officials claim refunds will be automatic.