Our Northwest Economy

Wash. Democrats Admit Goof On Soda Pop Tax; Industry Considers Ballot Repeal

OLYMPIA, Wash. – If you buy soda pop in Washington, soon you'll be making a contribution to help rebalance the state budget. In the final hours of the legislature's special session [earlier this month], majority Democrats imposed a two-cents-per-can excise tax on soda. But now the carbonated beverage industry is considering an effort to repeal the pop tax this November. One of its arguments: the tax law contains a technical goof.

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Wash. Democrats Admit Goof On Soda Pop Tax; Industry Considers Ballot Repeal

OLYMPIA, Wash. – If you buy soda pop in Washington, soon you'll be making a contribution to help rebalance the state budget. In the final hours of the legislature's special session [earlier this month], majority Democrats imposed a two-cents-per-can excise tax on soda. But now the carbonated beverage industry is considering an effort to repeal the pop tax this November. One of its arguments: the tax law contains a technical goof.

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Wash. Governor Signs Law Ordering State Furloughs

OLYMPIA, Wash. – It will be lights out at the Washington governor's office, drivers' license offices and other state agencies on Monday, July 12th. That's because of legislation signed [today] Tuesday by Governor Chris Gregoire. But under the new furlough law, many other Washington state services will remain open that day. The legislation requires a series of furloughs, but also includes many exceptions. At the least, Gregoire hopes state employees and their unions agree to take the same day off each month.

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New Idaho Nuke Plant Clears First Hurdle

A new nuclear power plant proposed near the Idaho-Oregon border cleared its first hurdle [today] Monday. But, groundbreaking is still years away because many more local and federal approvals are needed. [Correspondent Tom Banse reports.]

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Scouts Must Pay Man $18.5M In Punitive Damages

A Portland jury has ordered the Boy Scouts of America to pay $18.5 million in punitive damages in a sex abuse lawsuit. It is believed to be the largest award ever granted by a jury in a sex-abuse lawsuit against the organization.
Kerry Lewis was the plaintiff in the case. The jury heard his account of being molested by an assistant scoutmaster in the 1980s. Lewis spoke to reporters for the first time yesterday (Fri), after the punitive damage award was announced. He urged other victims of abuse in scouting to come forward.

"Take that first step. Reach out, ask for help. Whether it's a counselor or lawyer or therapist, anybody. Just ask for help, and you'll get it. Don't be scared. Even though it is scary."

The punitive damages are in addition to $1.4 million the jury awarded to Lewis in compensatory damages. That came after jurors found the Scouts were negligent for failing to prevent Lewis' abuse.

Wash. Gov To Sign Bill Directing Lottery Proceeds To Higher Ed

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Following up on a story we brought you last month: Washington's lottery is about to get a major makeover. Governor Chris Gregoire is expected to sign legislation [tomorrow] Friday that redirects lottery proceeds to higher education. How the lottery markets its games will also change.

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Congress Considers Changes To Cabin Fees On Federal Land

Hundreds of Northwest residents may be priced out of cabins they own on national forest land. That's according to Washington Republican Congressman Doc Hastings. In a hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday [today], he said the Forest Service is charging too much rent for the land under the cabins. [Correspondent Doug Nadvornick reports.]

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Bill Gates Sr. Announces Income Tax Ballot Measure Campaign

Washington tax reformers – including the father of Microsoft founder Bill Gates - are borrowing a page from Oregon. They announced a campaign [today] Wednesday to put a high-earners income tax on the fall ballot. Oregon voters approved a similar measure earlier this year.

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Tim Eyman Reacts To Wash. Income Tax Ballot Measure

Washington anti-tax activist Tim Eyman (EYE-muhn) is criticizing a proposed income tax ballot measure. Eyman says he fully expects Initiative 1077 will qualify for the November ballot. The measure would tax couples making more than $400,000 dollars a year. While property owners and small businesses would get some tax relief. But Eyman warns it could lead to an eventual across-the-board income tax in Washington.

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Maya Lin’s Vision For Northwest Rivers Shrinks With Economy

RICHLAND, Wash. – Famed landscape architect Maya Lin checked on the progress of her Northwest art installations this weekend. The Confluence Project includes 7 sites from Lewiston [Idaho] to the Pacific Ocean. [As Correspondent Anna King reports,]The difficult economy has curbed Maya Lin's artistic vision.

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