MONDAY, JUNE 12  ▪  Retiree advocates call for action on seniors' "real priorities" -- Washington delegates are concerned that the Bush administration's final report from the White House Conference on Aging -- expected to be released this week -- will water down or omit the delegates' strategic priorities that don’t conform to Bush’s agenda, including calls to fix the Medicare Part D drug program's problems and to oppose the privatization of Social Security.
▪  At AFLCIO.org -- AFL-CIO blasts GOP call to renew Social Security privatization effort -- Bush and his right-wing allies in Congress march to their own drum beat when it comes to dismantling the retirement security of America’s working families -- and serving the interests of Wall Street.
▪  In today's Wash. Post -- States' changes reshape Medicaid -- States are moving aggressively to add fees, restrict benefits and create incentives for patients to take responsibility for their health.

Grateful heirs news: 
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Repeal of state estate tax will be tough sell (editorial) -- I-920's task: Persuade almost 225,000 voters to sign an initiative that would mean lower taxes for 210 of the state's wealthiest families, taxes that finance higher-education enrollment slots, financial aid for college and university students, and reducing class sizes from kindergarten to 12th grade.
▪  From the Postman on Politics blog -- Another run at the federal estate tax? -- Both Washington senators voted against repeal of the federal estate tax last week. But it's clear the fight isn't over. And a lot of attention is focused on Maria Cantwell as a possible swing vote in a compromise plan. The Wall Street Journal reports that Senate Leader Bill Frist "hopes to win over" a small group of senators, including Cantwell, for a second run at repealing the tax.

Political news:
▪  In the PSBJ -- GOP begs to differ (letter) -- Amateur history revisionist Sen. Cheryl Pflug (R-5th) attributes the state's good economic fortunes to a "Rossi recovery," shaped by the budget that Dino Rossi "crafted as a senator in 2003." As the WSLC pointed out in 2004, it was Gov. Locke who wrote that budget and proposed the books be balanced by freezing wages for state employees, teachers and home-care workers. Suggesting that budget is responsible for our economic fortunes is laughable enough. Calling it a "Rossi recovery" is just plain shameless.
▪  In today's Kitsap Sun -- Sheldon shut out of Dems' vote -- Democratic challenger Kyle Taylor Lucas wins district Democrats' endorsement over Sen. Tim "Call Me Maverick" Sheldon.
▪  In the Everett Herald -- Cantwell must put face time in Snohomish Co. (column) -- Gregoire lost the county to Rossi by 6,439 votes, the first time in two decades a Democrat candidate for governor had lost the county. Local Democrats felt her campaign lacked visibility and assumed victory.
▪  In the Seattle P-I -- Senate's agenda: Pandering to the right (editorial) -- With a war on, homeland security at risk, immigration policy unsettled and a staggering budget deficit facing the country, banning gay marriages and flag burning would hardly top most Americans' legislative to-do list.

Boeing news: 
▪  In the PSBJ -- A Machinist replies (letter) -- "The Striking Machinist statue" in front of our Everett union hall is meant to honor the prior sacrifices of our members. It is easy to dismiss one of the symbols of the Machinists Union, particularly if you have never personally sacrificed the loss of income or risked losing your career simply to stand up for fairness in the workplace.
▪  In today's Everett Herald -- As a whole, 787 is on track -- A Boeing official says the problem with the composite fuselage sections it was building for tests won't delay the Dreamliner program.
▪  In today's News Tribune -- Dreamliner's comfort meets the Big Squeeze (editorial) -- The jet touts improvements in passenger comfort as well as fuel efficiency. But just 70% of Dreamliner customers so far have ordered nine-abreast seating. “Pack ‘em in” remains the industry mantra. 

Local news: 
▪  Today from AP -- Locke, Carlson team up to tout regional transportation tax package for 2007
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Some blacks say Latino immigrants are taking their jobs -- But many black leaders marched alongside immigrants in recent demonstrations and tout the importance of black/brown unity. They say both are being exploited and hurt by the same economic forces.
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Neighbors welcome housing project for mentally ill homeless people -- Labor leader Steve Williamson organizes a group of his Rainier Valley neighbors to help be a part of the solution to homelessness. "It's not that complicated. People need homes," he says.
▪  In today's Oregonian -- Unions' sway felt on Portland pension plan -- City leaders are already onboard with reforms that some experts say are limited and watered down. 

National news:
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Port talk is cheap (editorial) -- All the bipartisan congressional rhetoric about beefing up homeland security, all the indignation and outrage about Dubai Ports World making our country vulnerable, becomes empty when federal funding fails to materialize.
▪  In today's NY Times -- UAW facing tough choices, leader warns -- President Ron Gettelfinger warns members that they cannot ride out the automobile industry crisis and should be prepared to make tradition-breaking decisions to help rescue the industry.
▪  In the Houston Chronicle -- Rival unions ready to join to represent city employees --  Two bitter union rivals, AFSCME and SEIU, are brokering a deal to form a new union -- the Houston Organization for Public Employees, or HOPE -- to organize 13,000 City Hall workers.