Week in Review: downtown, ferries, and gun control

Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with Seattle Times Claudia Rowe, science reporter Jane C. Hu, and Puget Sound Business Journal tech reporter Alex Halverson

On Monday, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced a plan to police drug use downtown and increase treatment options. He said there would be a coordination between city and federal law enforcement to limit the distribution of drugs like fentanyl. He also said that he would increase the availability of overdose reversal drugs, among other treatment options. How sustainable is this plan?

On Saturday, the M/V Walla Walla ferry ran aground, leaving 600 people stuck onboard. Initial reports were that this was the result of a generator failure. The M/V Walla Walla is 50 years old and part of an aging fleet. What is the state of the fleet?

On Wednesday, the state House passed a bill that would ban new sales and distribution of assault weapons, as well as manufacturing and importing them. This applies to 50 named firearms. Exceptions will be made for those who already own one, as well as police agencies and branches of the military. Governor Inslee already has said he will sign the bill into law. Will this Supreme Court strike down these bans?

On Tuesday, the Seattle City Council voted to cap late-rent fees at ten dollars per month. The effort is designed to help those struggling with housing costs. It now heads to Mayor Bruce Harrell’s desk. Opponents say that it doesn’t take the perspective of the landlords into account. Is it fair to landlords?

Last Friday, the Washington state House approved a bill that would legalize psilocybin for therapeutic use. Governor Jay Inslee had previously said he would “consider” legalizing psychedelic therapy, and the bill now heads to his desk. The initial pilot program would be limited to military veterans and first responders. Has Oregon’s experience taught us anything yet?

On Monday, the state House voted 89-7 to create a tax break for local newspapers. It reduced business and occupation taxes on publishers and will save them around $400,000. How significant a tax break is this? Additionally, Olympia will be getting a new news bureau. State newsroom, which has a network of statehouse news outlets in 34 states, is expanding to Washington.