Legislative news:  ▪  Apollo Alliance commends legislators' strong policy initiatives
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Sonics tax request nothing new -- The bill would allow King County to extend existing taxes that are currently being used to pay off Safeco Field and Qwest Field.
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Sonics proposal is about much more than a basketball court (Prentice op-ed) -- The proposal is for a true multipurpose complex that will offer a prime venue for concerts, large conventions, large corporate meetings, NCAA regionals, an NHL hockey team, arena football and, of course, the Sonics and Storm.
▪  At Tri-City Herald's blog -- Rep. Hankins pushes for un-simple majority -- She proposes to "split the difference" and would allow school levies to pass with a 55 percent majority.
▪  In the Columbian -- Paid-leave plan is overly generous (Hovde column) -- The proposed Family Leave Insurance program for Washington state is a faulty redistribution of income.

Local news:
▪  In the (Aberdeen) Daily World -- Cosmopolis mill buyer denies being a "union buster" -- “Customers want quality and reliability,” he says, “and frankly they’re scared to death about this place” because of its reputation for militant unionism. He anticipates that the mill will remain a union shop, although the old union (AWPPW) won’t automatically be installed as the representative.
▪  At ShiftBreak.com -- UNITE HERE Local 8 hotel workers ratify a new contract (MP3 audio file) --  Also, interviews with professional bus and truck drivers from ATU 587 and Teamsters 174 who are critical of Seattle's plans to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a tunnel.
▪  In the Columbian -- Freightliner cuts could have far-reaching impacts -- Of the 800 jobs being cut from the 1,700-employee Portland plant, a quarter of them are held by Washington residents.
▪  In today's Everett Herald -- Boeing's backlog is worth billions -- A customer ordering today would face a wait of four to six years for an Everett-built jet.
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Northrop to duel Boeing for Air Force tanker deal
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Seattle community colleges, union (SCCFT) set for mediation talks
▪  In today's Kitsap Sun -- Kingston co-op group takes a new tack on foot ferries -- Not private. Not public-private. It’s proposing a co-op venture, a ferry company managed by its members.

National news:
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Health care: The boss gets it (editorial) -- The business-union coalition (of SEIU, Wal-Mart, et al) promises to hold a national summit by May. If the group is serious, item one should be agreement on not supporting candidates who oppose universal coverage.
▪  In today's NY Times -- Fox to begin a "more business-friendly" news channel

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2007
Apollo Alliance commends legislators' strong policy initiatives

The Washington State Labor Council was the first AFL-CIO state federation in the nation to pass a resolution in 2003 in support of the Apollo Alliance on renewable energy. (See WSLC President Rick Bender's Apollo op-ed that year in the News Tribune.) The following press release was distributed Thursday by the Apollo Alliance:

The Apollo Alliance today praised Gov. Christine Gregoire, State Sen. Eric Poulsen (D-Seattle) and King County Executive Ron Sims for taking the lead in their state to battle the growing climate crisis by announcing their commitment to push bold new energy policies.

The new initiatives, including an executive order issued by Gov. Gregoire, outline a plan for more comprehensive climate legislation to reduce global warming pollution, decrease our dependence on foreign oil, and bring more clean energy jobs to the state to promote a successful clean energy economy. They join City of Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels initiatives and commitments to accelerate development of clean energy and transportation solutions. 

"The state of Washington continues to light the path towards sustainable energy independence,” said Jerome Ringo, president of the Apollo Alliance. “The leadership of Gov. Gregoire, Sen. Poulsen and County Executive Sims is putting Washington’s economy on a new footing and creating opportunities for working men and women across the state.”

The governor’s executive order calls for a stakeholder process to develop more comprehensive climate legislation for 2008 that addresses the burgeoning climate change crisis.  The executive order also calls for a reduction in fuel imports of 20 percent from current levels by 2020, saving the state nearly $2 billion, and expanding the clean energy sector by aiming to triple the number of clean energy jobs in the state.

The Apollo Alliance is a broad coalition that unites nearly 16 million union members and 11 million environmental organization members across the country dedicated to creating new jobs, new energy and new independence for America by investing in the domestic clean energy sector. 

Learn more about Washington state's Apollo Alliance here, or for more information, contact Rich Feldman at feldman@apolloalliance.org.