Legislative news:

►  In the NW Labor Press -- Worker Freedom Act gets new life in Oregon legislature -- The bill giving workers in Oregon the right to refuse to attend anti-union meetings, was thought dead three weeks ago. But Democratic leaders in the Senate may have secured enough votes to pass it. It passed the Senate Rules Committee May 29 after a Democratic senator who opposes the bill cast a courtesy vote for it to get it out of committee and permit a floor vote.

►  At SeattlePI.com -- BIAW gives bravos to Democratic legislature -- Our state's most vehement conservative lobby, which spent $7.2 million trying to defeat Gov. Chris Gregoire, boasts how the majority Democrat Washington Legislature did its bidding in the just-completed session.

►  At TheOlympian.com -- SEIU 775 cries foul in late-running bargaining -- The union that represents about 25,000 home care providers statewide is after $10 million it says should be used to ease members' health care burdens.

►  At TheOlympian.com -- Anyone want a special session on Oct. 1-2? -- If the economy is worse, there will be pressure to make deeper cuts that could require legislative surgery. The Assembly Days slated for Oct. 1-2 have been timed to accommodate the September revenue forecast. 

Budget cut news:  

►  In today's Seattle Times -- Seattle school layoffs denounced at rally -- About 250-300 students, parents and teachers rally in front of Seattle Public Schools headquarters to protest the layoffs of about 200 teachers, counselors and other administrative staff.

►  In today's Spokesman-Review -- Cuts force closure of adult-care center -- One of two Spokane centers where low-income elderly adults go for meals, exercise, socialization and health care will close because of state budget cuts. Earlier this week, a different provider of adult day health services announced it will close its flagship center in Seattle and another in Marysville.

Stimulating news:  

►  In today's Tri-City Herald -- Work set to start at one of Hanford's worst sites -- Work to determine what was buried in one of Hanford's most hazardous waste sites is ready to begin with federal stimulus money. The subcontract worth up to $4.4 million to North Wind Inc., of Idaho Falls to see what can be learned about the 618-10 Burial Ground without opening it up.

►  In the Daily World -- $2.5 million for Grays Harbor Transit -- The federal grants and economic stimulus money geared toward the completion of a new and expanded station in downtown Aberdeen, installation of video cameras in buses and to help the transit’s operating expenses.

Local news:   

►  At Publicola -- Outing public employees -- Seattle Public Utilities has a public disclosure request for the names of members of its LGBT group. The request comes from the conservative Faith & Freedom Network (the group behind Ref. 71 to cut domestic partners' rights).

►  At SeattlePI.com -- Hood Canal Bridge opens 8 days early -- The state DOT opens the bridge after replacement of its eastern section and six years of work on the $500 million project.

►  From AP -- Boeing to negotiate with United over new airplanes -- A newspaper reported the carrier had sought bids from Boeing and rival Airbus for up to 150 new jets.

Health care reform news:

►  In today's LA Times -- Medical bills play role in 62% of bankruptcies -- Obama's push for healthcare reforms gets a boost today from a new study by Harvard University researchers that shows a sizable increase over six years in bankruptcies caused in part by ever-higher medical expenses. 

►  In today's NY Times -- Slump pushes cost of drugs beyond reach -- Even with the Medicare drug benefit, low-cost generics and loss-leader discounting by big chains, many Americans still find themselves unable to afford the medications that manage their life-threatening conditions.

►  In today's LA Times -- Obama appears open to some health insurance mandates -- In a letter to Sens. Kennedy and Baucus, the president stands by plans for a government alternative to private health insurance coverage. Major bills are expected in the next several weeks.

►  At Publicola -- Murray, Cantwell meet with Obama to discuss health care -- The president went into the particulars of the plan with Senators on the Finance and Health Committees -- including Cantwell and Murray -- which will be drafting the initial legislation.

National news: 

►  At AFL-CIO Now -- New coalition set to push immigration reform now -- More than 200 organizations -- including the AFL-CIO -- launch a national coalition to push for comprehensive immigration reform. The election of a new president and Congress with strong immigrant support, coupled with solid public backing for reform, have created a new political landscape for immigration legislation. The The campaign also launched a new website to give advocates and supporters the latest news about immigration reform.

►  In today's NY Times -- Bush rule bolstering deportations is withdrawn -- Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. reverses a Bush administration ruling, made just days before Obama's inauguration, that weakened the ability of immigrants facing deportation to argue their lawyers did a bad job.

►  From Bloomberg -- Obama tax plan would send jobs overseas, Ballmer says -- The Microsoft CEO says the company would move some employees offshore if Congress enacts President Obama's plans to impose higher taxes on U.S. companies' foreign profits.

►  At Media Matters -- Morning Joe crew can't name successful union company (even though one signs their paychecks) -- MSNBC's Morning Joe pundits went on an anti-union tear Wednesday morning, claiming the union label on a company means "sell" and claiming they couldn't name a single successful unionized company. Their bosses might be surprised to learn that these ignorant blowhards don't consider their own company successful.