Health reform news:

Rally against "Big Insurance" Tuesday at noon in Seattle -- MoveOn and Health Care Action Now! are holding a "Big Insurance: Sick of It!" rally Tuesday at noon at Seattle's City Park at 3rd Ave. & Yesler. This is one of many national events on Tuesday to express the broadly held belief that big health insurance companies must not be allowed to run our health care system. Click here for more information or to register to attend.

►  In today's NY times -- Proposed tax on Cadillac health plans may also hit Chevys -- Sen. Max Baucus wants to raise money for the health care overhaul by placing a new excise tax on the most expensive gold-plated policies, like those offered to partners at Goldman Sachs and other affluent professionals. As it turns out, though, many smaller fish would get caught in his tax net. The supposedly Cadillac insurance policies include ones that cover many of the nation’s firefighters and coal miners, older employees at small businesses -- a whole gamut that runs from union shops to Main Street entrepreneurs.

►  In today's Washington Post -- In broadcast blitz, Obama calls for "civil" tone on health reform -- He acknowledges being "humbled" by the challenge of "breaking through" in the complicated and emotional battle over health reform. "I think there have been times where I have said I've got to step up my game in terms of talking to the American people about issues like health care," he says.

►  In today's Spokesman-Review -- McMorris Rodgers leery of health reform -- The Spokane Republican agrees the current system has major problems, but warns against a “one-size-fits-all” plan she says would limit patients’ ability to choose a doctor or get specialized care. She acknowledges there’s nothing in the leading proposals that would do that, but insists it’s a concern that should be kept in mind. (Also, keep in mind that death panels could kill Grandma and "guvmint" might take over Medicare.)

►  In Saturday's Columbian -- Requirements on insurance have costs, benefits -- State health officials and Gov. Chris Gregoire defend mandates -- especially those requiring coverage of preventive care -- as both cost-effective and essential to comprehensive health coverage. Critics argue that many people, especially young adults, don't need a full menu of health care options. And they say Washington's health insurance mandates raise the cost of coverage for all Washington residents.

►  In today's Seattle Times -- Health-care reform advice from Washington's chief insurance regulator (Mike Kreidler column) -- Some argue that we cannot afford to make major changes during tough economic times. They're wrong. We can't afford not to fix this. We outspend developed nations 2-to-1 on health care, yet end up with outcomes that more closely resemble those of economic developing countries. Yes, we have some great care here. But fewer of us have access to it. And if we stay the course, we'll spend $33 trillion over the next decade for the same results. You'll pay that. So will your kids, and so will your grandkids.

►  In today's Seattle Times -- The nation suffers from a severe case of Selective Deficit Disorder (David Sirota column) -- When it comes to spending on priorities like health-care reform that would help ordinary Americans, the illness's victims scream about deficits and overspending. But when it comes to handing over trillions of dollars to financial firms, defense contractors and other corporate interests, deficits suddenly don't matter to the disease-addled politicians, protesters and journalists underwritten by those interests.

Local news: 

►  In Saturday's Olympian -- Public looks to stop state budget cuts -- The governor's office says more cuts are needed after a revenue forecast shows the state is headed nearly $200 million into the red by June 2011. But cutting more would be a mistake, say service providers and recipients of state aid who met in a town hall forum in Olympia.

►  In Saturday's Everett Herald -- Reardon's budget would cut pay for Snohomish County workers -- Patrol and corrections deputies were shocked to learn they could be asked to give up more than 5% of their paychecks under the Snohomish County executive's plan. Those and other sacrifices are necessary to avoid layoffs, he says.

►  In today's Bellingham Herald -- Bellingham to consider easing ban on big-box stores -- City leaders will consider a new law relaxing a ban on stores larger than 90,000 square feet, an effort to keep major retailers from fleeing Bellingham in favor of other local jurisdictions.

►  In the PS Business Journal -- Puget Sound freight experts want to wait for "right" transport bill (if you can't read this story, email us for a copy) -- As the Sept. 30 expiration of the federal government’s transportation bill looms, business and transportation groups want Congress to act quickly to authorize $450 billion in spending. But in Washington state, the opinions are far more divided. 

Unemployment news: 

►  From AP -- House moves to extend unemployment benefits -- Rep. Jim McDermott's bill, which is expected to pass easily, would provide 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits for more than 300,000 jobless people who live in states with unemployment rates of at least 8.5% and who are scheduled to run out of benefits by the end of September. The 13-week extension would supplement the 26 weeks of benefits most states offer and the federally funded extensions of up to 53 weeks that Congress approved last year and in the stimulus bill enacted last February.

►  At SeattlePI.org -- More Washingtonians eligible for training benefits (Karen Lee column) -- Beginning this month, newly unemployed workers who are disabled, low-income, members of the Washington National Guard, or recently discharged from the military or National Guard may participate in the state's Training Benefits Program if they qualify for unemployment benefits.

Boeing news: 

►  In Saturday's News Tribune -- Bid requests to go out while tanker flap stews -- The Pentagon is expected to release a draft request for bids on the tanker contract this week. Boeing supporters in Congress have made it clear that they won’t tolerate a competition that doesn’t take into account a ruling earlier this month from the WTO that Airbus has received billions of dollars in illegal subsidies from four European governments.

►  In today's Everett Herald -- Boeing tweaks details of tanker proposal for Air Force -- On its face, the Boeing's tanker platform may look a lot like it did the last time the Air Force tried to award its contract worth $35 billion. But the company hopes the finer details will sway its customer.

National news: