Budget cut news:  

►  From the AP -- Government jobs' recession shield at work -- An AP analysis of economic data from around the country shows that economic pain in a county decreases as the percentage of government workers in its work force rises. (Also see "Public employee job cuts hurt our economy" from the WSLC's April 17 Legislative Update newsletter.)

►  At TheOlympian.com -- Health Care Authority has plan for BHP cuts -- The HCA will hold a press conference today to announce how his agency will deal with a 43% cut in the Basic Health Plan. That's the word from the agency trying to figure out how to remove some 40,000 people from its ranks at a time when more than 30,000 are waiting to get on? Lottery? Income level?

►  In today's Tri-City Herald -- Franklin County, unions discussing budget cuts -- Commissioners have considered cost-cutting steps such as a 5% wage cut, a one-day-a-month furlough and layoffs. But no decisions have been made as discussions with county unions continue.

►  In the Daily World -- Hoquiam schools make cuts -- The school board recently approved more than $1.22 million in cuts, which lays off teachers and reduces the hours of paraeducators.

Health care reform news:

►  In today's Washington Post -- "Single-payer" supporters challenge Democrats -- As President Obama and congressional Democrats work to hammer out landmark health-care legislation, they face increasingly noisy protests from those on the left who complain that a national program like those in Europe has been excluded from the debate. The White House and Democratic leaders have made clear there is no chance that Congress will adopt a single-payer approach because it is too radical a change. That has not dissuaded single-payer activists.

►  In today's NY Times -- Bipartisan health bill possible, leaders say -- Republicans and Democrats differ sharply on the government’s role in health care. But Sens. Max Baucus (D-MT) and Charles Grassley (R-IA) express optimism that 2009 is different, and that their backstage negotiations would soon clear remaining obstacles.

►  In today's Olympian -- U.S. eyes Washington's health oversight -- When it’s judging the value of medical treatments it pays for, Washington state imposes a tough standard, the kind that might save tens of billions of dollars a year if it were applied nationally. The program is unique in the United States, and experts sometimes cite it as a possible model for the federal government. Studies suggest that using this approach would help eliminate inappropriate and wasteful care.

Local news:   

►  In today's Yakima H-R -- Immigration reform dealing with ag work force not coming -- Immigration reform to assure Washington agriculture a legal work force likely won't happen this year in Congress, state officials said after a visit to the nation's capital. They also say the Mexican trucking dispute that has prompted tariffs on ag products also remains high-centered.

►  In the PS Business Journal -- Contractors chop bids on Puget Sound construction projects -- A dearth of private work and influx of stimulus cash has local contractors competing feverishly for government jobs and putting in bids significantly lower than officials ever expected. That’s giving taxpayers more for their money, but shaving contractors’ profit margins thin.

►  In today's Everett Herald -- Fire, deputy unions oppose Mukilteo annexation -- Mukilteo hopes to add 11,000 residents and a commercial district to what is now a mostly residential city of 20,000 people. The unions say the city cannot provide services as well as the county does.

►  In the PS Business Journal -- Seattle nonprofit to fight poverty one day's wages at a time -- A Seattle pastor and blogger is launching a grassroots, global movement to fight extreme poverty by asking supporters to donate something he says won’t break the budgets: one day’s wages.

►  In today's Yakima H-R -- DSHS: It's time to break it up (editorial) -- The phrase "too big to fail" can be applied the state's largest institution, but in this case it needs to be flipped on its head. We would argue the state's Department of Social and Health Services is "too big to succeed."

►  In The Economist -- The Centrist Northwest -- We in Washington state “get our business done,” says Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, a Democrat who may be a future candidate for governor. Rob McKenna, the state’s boyish attorney-general and a likely Republican candidate for governor, also declares himself proudly centrist. In polarised and dysfunctional states, such as California, the search is on for moderation in order to import it. There are several factors, but one stands out. It is Washington’s long tradition of holding non-partisan primary elections.

National news: 

►  From Bloomberg -- Trumka has detractors, but no opponents, in bid to lead AFL-CIO -- Some say Richard Trumka’s 14-year tenure as secretary-treasurer of the AFL- CIO and three terms as United Mine Workers president make him a poor agent of change when that’s what organized labor needs. Plus, Trumka's rise isn't likely to help end the rift between the 56-union AFL-CIO and Change to Win, the seven unions that split off, says AFT President Randi Weingarten. Trumka's ascension may occur just as talks on reuniting are at a delicate stage, she said.

►  In today's Wash. Post-- For autoworkers, future depends on adaptability -- If the electric car he is working on represents GM's vision of its changing direction, then Tom Goddard may be the new face of the American autoworker, someone who after 24 years at GM takes nothing for granted, sees his job as tenuous and prides himself on building his skills in hopes of survival.

►  In today's NY Times -- U.S. to propose wider oversight of executive compensation -- The White House plans to require banks and corporations that have received two rounds of bailouts to submit executive pay changes for approval by a federal official who will monitor compensation.

►  In today's

►  In today's NY Times -- Next test: Value of $125,000-a-year teachers -- What kind of teachers could a school get if it paid them $125,000 a year? Check out the members of an eight-teacher dream team, lured to an innovative charter school that will open in Washington, D.C. in September with salaries that would make most teachers drop their chalk and swoon;

►  In today's LA Times -- California budget crisis opens rift between Democrats, unions -- The relationship between Democratic leaders and some of their labor benefactors has turned particularly frosty. Labor wants to offset some cuts with new or higher taxes; legislators don't.

►  At Boston.com -- Obama cabinet will not cross R.I. picket line -- Vice President Joe Biden and other members of the Cabinet have cancelled plans to attend the US Conference of Mayors in Providence next weekend because it would mean crossing a picket line of local firefighters.