News from Olympia:

►  In yesterday's Seattle Times -- State Democrats facing revolt by labor -- State Democratic lawmakers have a revolt on their hands among major labor groups that provide the party crucial support during elections. The Washington State Labor Council, the Service Employees International Union and unions representing teachers and state workers have either stopped or sharply reduced donations to Democratic caucus political-action committees that back candidates for the state House and Senate. "I think the labor movement is more serious about withholding support from Democratic candidates this year than I have seen in my 30 years in politics," said Dwight Pelz, chairman of the state Democratic Party.

►  In today's Columbian -- Washington's budget outlook remains bleak (brief) -- Washington didn’t make the Pew Center’s list of 10 states headed for economic disaster, but the state’s budget outlook for next year is grim, with a $1.7 billion budget deficit projected over the next two years.

►  In today's Olympian -- Rep. Fred Finn to run again, along with several other incumbents -- Freshman Rep. Fred Finn (D-35th) from west Thurston County says he will run for a second term. Sen. Tim Sheldon ("D"-35th) has drawn another challenge from Kyle Taylor Lucas.

►  In today's Wall St. Journal -- Unions push issues in state capitols -- Unions are pushing state lawmakers to make organizing workers easier, as efforts to rewrite federal organizing laws remain stalled in Congress. Oregon passed the Worker Freedom Act, which prohibits companies from holding mandatory employee meetings to talk about organizing.

Local news:

►  In today's News Tribune -- Shared work works for all sides -- Thousands of employers are forgoing layoffs and taking advantage of state “work-sharing” programs in which they cut the hours of full-time workers, who then recoup a portion of their lost wages from unemployment insurance benefits. The nation’s second-largest work-sharing program, in Washington state, has a record enrollment of more than 2,500 businesses and more than 50,000 workers. It has paid out more than $31 million in benefits this year, compared with $4 million in 2008.

►  In the Oregonian -- West Coast ports band together to fight global competition -- This week, at the World Shipping Summit in China, major West Coast ports -- including Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, Long Beach and Oakland.-- will join forces for the first time. The goal: to market the efficiencies, distribution networks and skilled labor forces of the West Coast ports.

►  In today's News Tribune -- Pierce County budget trims 300 jobs -- The county council approves a $269.3 million general fund budget that’s about 7% smaller than the 2009 budget adopted a year ago. The result will be fewer sheriff’s deputies on the street, longer lines for building permits and sporadic closures of some county offices as employees take furloughs.

►  In the (Aberdeen) Daily World -- It's official: Veneer plant sold -- The Pacific Veneer plant has re-opened under new ownership. Weyerhaeuser had closed it and laid off 90 workers in January.

►  In today's Spokesman-Review -- City, police reach deal -- A tentative deal Spokane city leaders made this week with the Spokane Police Guild would save 12 police officer positions next year.

►  In today's Olympian -- Voters to decide on Lacey fire move? -- The City Council tonight will discuss a proposal to let voters determine the future of fire and emergency medical response.