Local news:
▪  In today's Everett Herald -- Battle lines are drawn for Boeing -- The Air Force releases its final requirements for its $40 billion refueling tanker bid. Although it made minor adjustments to answer Northrop's questions, it is too early to tell whether the company will fight for the contract.
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Air Force tanker request gives Boeing the edge -- for now
▪  In the Daily World -- Annexation could jeopardize new mill -- Sierra Pacific says it likely will build a new 150-job stud mill elsewhere if Aberdeen annexes Junction City.
▪  In the Daily World -- Other Cosi bidder disappointed, but pleased with Harbor -- Evergreen Pulp’s CEO is “disappointed” by Weyerhaeuser’s decision to pursue talks with another bidder, but says he was “utterly astounded” by the help from business and labor leaders and elected officials.
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- City violated rights with 1999 WTO arrests, jury finds -- The blanket arrest of 147 people was unconstitutional, and the city should be held liable, a federal jury decides.
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Paccar posts record profit in 2006 -- "All in all, a wonderful year," says the Bellevue-based truckmaker's CEO. Anticipating lower demand, Paccar eliminated a shift at its Renton plant and laid off about 340 workers there and about 1,000 company-wide. Wonderful.

Legislative news:
▪  In today's News Tribune -- Lawmakers plan new rules for initiatives -- Democratic lawmakers consider legislation outlawing per-signature payments to signature-gatherers, requiring petitioners to wear labels indicating whether they are being paid by someone -- and by whom -- or are volunteers; and raising the filing fee on initiatives from $5 to $100.  Eyman no likey.
▪  In today's Olympian -- Lawmakers look to stash "rainy day" fund -- State senators explore three rival proposals to lock up 1% of state yearly revenues for use during tough economic times.
▪  Today from AP -- Sonics delay arena plan -- An already delayed financing plan for a new $500 million arena for the SuperSonics won't be ready for lawmakers this week as initially promised.
▪  In The Columbian -- Health care can't be cured with one shot (Brunell column) -- Rather than trying to find that one magical solution, legislators need to look for ways to make incremental progress.

National news:
▪  In today's NY Times -- Bush promotes his free trade initiatives -- Urging Congress to extend his “fast track” trade negotiating authority, the president pulls a Dukakis at a Caterpillar factory.
▪  In today's Washington Post -- Democrats give Bush the business on trade -- Newly ascendant Democrats repeat warnings that they are unlikely to approve pending trade pacts unless the administration agrees to provisions tightening labor and environmental protections. They pledge to demand similar labor rules before extending Bush's authority to negotiate new trade deals.
▪  In today's LA Times -- Healthcare is central to grocery talks -- A study says the current pact left many workers without adequate insurance options. UFCW members are hoping for a better deal.
▪  In today's Washington Post -- FAA to raise retirement age for pilots -- After an intense and emotional battle, the agency announces it will raise the cutoff from 60 to 65 within two years.
▪  In today's Washington Post -- Homeland Security employees feel the blues -- In a survey of federal workers, it scored last or almost last in job satisfaction, leadership and workplace performance.
▪  In today's Rocky Mountain News -- "Union shop" bill advances in Colorado Senate -- It would end a quasi-right-to-work requirement of a second 75% vote for union-security clauses in contracts.
▪  In today's Washington Post -- Liberalism's energetic architect: SEIU's Andy Stern (Meyerson column) -- SEIU is bankrolling groups called "Americans Against Escalation," opposing Bush's Iraq war plan; "They Work for Us," holding congressional Democrats accountable for votes on economic issues; and the ironically named "Divided We Fail," an alliance with the Business Roundtable and AARP to back universal health coverage... Meanwhile, a year and a half since SEIU left the AFL-CIO and led the formation of Change to Win, it can't really be said to have done anything.