►  In today's News Tribune -- Gregoire made the state's case, but said no to shameless begging (Peter Callaghan column) -- The bottom line is that Washington outclasses its competitors in the areas that should matter most. It might work. It might not. But it takes a healthy helping of chutzpah for a state to get up off its knees and stop begging. Rather than race other states to the bottom by cutting taxes deeper, reducing benefits further and paying for things that should be done with private dollars, she’s trying something different. Essentially Gregoire said, here’s what we’ve got; here’s where we stand; here’s what we’ve already done to help you; here’s why it makes financial sense. Now, make your choice. (Also see our Tuesday posting: Washington is "best location" for 787, Gregoire says.)

►  In the Columbian Basin Herald -- Governor's report names Moses Lake as potential Boeing site -- The report examined areas such as an attractive business climate, low production risk, quality workforce and improving labor relations, stable government, providing infrastructure improvements, commitment to education, strong, broad-based support and best quality of life.

►  In today's Seattle Times -- More state businesses use shared-work program -- More than 2,100 companies are participating in the Shared-Work Program, billed as an alternative to layoffs that allows struggling companies to reduce employees' hours while allowing them to collect partial unemployment benefits. Just a year ago, only 145 employers were participating. It's a temporary measure that will hopefully help "us and our employees weather this storm," said Sterling Ramberg, owner of Gear Works in South Park. (Another example of Washington's superior Unemployment Insurance system saving state businesses and jobs in this recession.)

►  At SeattlePI.com -- Shared work -- an alternative to layoffs (Karen Lee column) -- The program is good for employees because it provides more income than unemployment benefits alone, allows them to stay employed and maintain company benefits. Shared Work is also is great for employers because they maintain their trained workforce and gain employee loyalty.

►  In today's Seattle Times -- State urged to require swine-flu shots for hospital staff -- The Washington State Hospital Association is urging the requirement, but nurses and other health-care workers have largely opposed mandatory shots. The Washington State Nurses Association urges 100% of its members to get vaccinated but says it could support mandatory vaccinations only if it's adopted statewide and includes some protective measures.

►  In today's NY Times -- Medicaid enrollment rate rose rapidly, report says -- The recession is driving up enrollment at higher than expected rates, threatening gargantuan state budget gaps even as Congress and the White House seek to expand the program for the poor and disabled.

►  In today's Spokesman-review -- Ruling hits state budget -- A lawsuit the state lost recently over a portion of the business and occupation tax could cut another $237 million out of revenues.

Health reform news:

National news: 

►  At AFL-CIO Now -- Chamber of Commerce: Out of touch with the public -- The Chamber is out of touch with the country’s priorities. While unions, businesses and families across the country are looking for ways to build a new energy economy and solve the climate crisis, the Chamber is virulently supporting the status quo. The Chamber also stands out as a key opponent of a public health insurance option supported by a clear majority of Americans. The Chamber also has put millions of dollars -- including taxpayer money it received from bailed-out banks -- into opposing the EFCA and workers’ freedom to form a union and bargain. And strangely enough for a group with “U.S.” in its name, the Chamber is hostile to Buy American provisions that would create good jobs for America's workers. 

►  In The Nation -- AFL-CIO: Young workers unite! -- Of the AFL-CIO's 11.5 million members, only one-quarter is under 47 years old. This means that many young people are putting in hours without the much-needed benefits that a union promises. The AFL-CIO acknowledges the sagging wages and moral of the young worker, having recently released "Young Workers: A Lost Decade." When the numbers in this study are compared to that of the same one done in 1999, the results are even more shocking. Currently, only 31% say that they can afford to pay their bills (down 22% from 1999) and 31% are uninsured (7% more than 1999). 

►  From AP -- New jobless claims rise more than expected -- First-time claims increase more than expected, a sign employers are reluctant to hire and the job market remains weak.

►  In today's LA Times -- Bank of America CEO to step down -- Kenneth D. Lewis, who became a focus of public and political outrage while presiding over Bank of America's stunning fall from grace in the financial crisis, is stepping down as chief executive at the end of the year. Lewis will receive a multimillion-dollar retirement package based on his 40 years at the bank, many of them at a top executive's salary. But there will be no special "golden parachute," a spokesman says. 

►  In today's Washington Post -- Most stay-at-home start that way, study finds -- A census snapshot of women who stay home to raise children shows that the popular obsession with high-achieving professional mothers sidelining careers for family life is largely beside the point.

►  At AFL-CIO Now -- Justice Dept. asks Supremes to decide on NLRB rulings -- For nearly two years, the NLRB has been hearing cases and issuing rules with just two members. Dozens of those rulings have been appealed citing the two-member status. Now the U.S. Supreme Court has been asked to settle the question of whether the two-member board can issue decisions.

Local news:

►  In today's Tri-City Herald -- Hanford budget gets big boost -- The final version of the budget for the fiscal year that starts today includes $87 million more than the budget proposed by the Obama administration. It's a "big win," says Sen. Patty Murray. "This bill moves us toward the consistent budgets we need each year to deliver on cleanup goals."

►  In today's Seattle Times -- Sparring starts over King County budget -- Sheriff Sue Rahr warns that proposed budget cuts would compromise public safety at a county council hearing.

►  In today's Seattle Times -- Dispute tangles union vote by Humane Society workers -- Of the 38 employees at the Bellevue-based nonprofit, 15 voted for representation with the Animal Control Officers Guild and 14 voted against. Two more disputed votes remain sealed.

►  In the Oregonian -- Oregon cement plant shutting down, cutting 68 jobs -- Ash Grove Cement Co. announced layoffs at its Durkee plant in Eastern Oregon and eight other U.S. factories. 

►  In today's Tri-City Herald -- Speaker warns Pasco audience of liberal agenda -- EFF President Bob Williams warns that the left wing taking the United States down a road toward Marxism.

►  In today's News Tribune -- Splitting county health costs -- about time (editorial) -- It took the worst recession since the Depression to force it, but Pierce County may finally require workers to share the cost of their own health insurance. There’s something morally grotesque about taxing the less fortunate to finance rich and sometimes wasteful benefits for public employees.