THURSDAY, APRIL 19  ▪  "Health care hustlers" block lower Medicare drug prices -- The AFL-CIO decries the action of a minority of U.S. Senators to block negotiations on drug prices.
▪  In today's NY Times -- Senate Republicans bar Medicare talks for lower drug prices -- “The Department of Veterans Affairs is able to negotiate for lower-priced drugs,” says Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. “HMO's can negotiate. Wal-Mart can negotiate. Why in the world shouldn’t Medicare be able to do that?” (A campaigning John McCain dodges the vote.)
▪  At Sen. Murray's website -- Murray frustrated GOP blocking debate on Medicare drug program 
▪  At Sen. Cantwell's website -- GOP blocks Cantwell-backed plan to negotiate lower drug prices

Legislative news:
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Is transportation plan doomed to failure? -- A $16 billion regional transportation measure headed for the November ballot has serious flaws and could fail without significant changes, several key state lawmakers say.
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Opportunity Grants will open doors (op-ed by Rep. Kenney & Kris Stadelman) -- The grants allow low-income people to move into college, apprenticeships and job skills training they could not otherwise afford, just as the GI Bill did for working-class soldiers decades ago.
▪  In today's Everett Herald -- Fast-track for new fleet of state ferries -- Legislation aims to coax Todd Shipyards and J.M. Martinac into sharing work worth $342 million and hundreds of union jobs.
▪  In today's Bellingham Herald -- "Rainy day" fund an idea that merits actual funding (editorial) -- When Gregoire first proposed it, she wanted to set aside $262 million this year and then deposit 1% of revenue, some $130 million a year. But the bill only provides for 1% a year, including this year.
▪  In today's Olympian -- Lawmakers making best of bad situation in Lewis County (editorial) -- South Sound lawmakers deserve credit for helping Lewis County bounce back from the devastating loss of 600 family-wage jobs when TransAlta closed its coal mine last December. 

Boeing news:
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Boeing's the smart tanker choice (Aaron Reardon op-ed) -- Compared head to head, Boeing's offering is more efficient and a better fit on military bases worldwide than the competition. The deal would generate approximately 9,000 direct and indirect jobs within the area, with the local economic impact from the KC-767 estimated at a staggering $400 million.
▪  In today's Everett Herald -- A record high for Boeing stock -- Fueled by 787 jet orders and positive airline forecasts, Boeing stock soars to a record high close of $93.88.

Local news:
▪  In today's Yakima H-R -- Immigration march planned May 1 in Yakima -- Demanding a just immigration reform and a halt of illegal raids, Yakima Valley residents will pound the pavement, again, May 1. (A May Day immigration march/rally is also planned In Seattle. More info. (PDF))
▪  In the Aberdeen Daily World -- Grays Harbor log truckers go back to work -- After parking their rigs for two weeks, truckers return to work after timber companies begin raising hauling rates.
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Washington's Medicare program well-rated -- It's among the 10 best in the nation, according to a new report by a national consumer-advocacy group.
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Pat Davis denies acting alone on Port CEO's pay -- She denies acting improperly or independently in extending Dinsmore's salary by a year past his retirement date.

National news:
▪  Today at AFL-CIO Now -- United Steelworkers, Amicus agree to form global union -- AFL-CIO President John Sweeney hailed the agreement as “a bold and innovative approach to addressing the crushing effect of corporate-driven globalization on workers and their communities.”
▪  In today's NY Times -- USW, British unions seek merger -- The United Steelworkers (850,000 members) will seek to merge with two British unions, Amicus (980,000) and the Transport and General Workers Union (800,000), a move that would form the first trans-Atlantic labor group. Amicus and TGW are already scheduled to merge May 1 into a combined union called Unite.
▪  Today from AP -- American Airlines manager bonuses spark protests -- Several hundred workers protest against its $170 million payment of stock to managers as most others' wages are cut.
▪  In today's NY Times -- Democrats seek shareholder voting on executive pay -- Under the bill, shareholders would get a nonbinding vote on the pay of senior executives of public companies.
▪  In today's NY Times -- GOP all ears as ex-Sen./actor Fred Thompson weighs presidential bid