Your morning news digest from KUOW | Thursday, Feb. 28
Medicare for All // Food banks // Tree huggers // Recycle change // Police bonuses // Lenin statue
Jayapal's Medicare for All plan
Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal introduced her "Medicare for All" plan in the U.S. House Wednesday.
The Seattle Congresswoman told supporters that many Americans would save money if the insurance is enacted.
People wouldn't pay premiums or deductibles.
But taxes would go up. Independent studies say health care spending could cost the federal government trillions of dollars more per year.
Food banks struggling
As Seattle’s median income rises, so has demand for food banks, according to a new study.
Seattle’s food banks have seen more clients in the last year, but funding has remained flat, or in some cases, reduced. To meet the demand, many food banks have had to reduce the amount or variety of food they offer. The study was funded by Seattle’s soda tax revenue.
More to love for Seattle's tree huggers
People have planted 700,000 trees at parks, in neighborhoods, and around schools since 2015 as part of King County's goal to plant one million trees by 2020.
Curbing certain recyclables
A King County and Seattle task force wants to remove plastic bags, film, and shredded paper from the curbside recycling bin because they clog up the sorting machines.
It could take a year to get approved by King County's solid waste departments and companies.
Officer bonuses
The city of Seattle is a step closer to offering police officers hefty bonuses to join the department. The City's Council's public safety committee approved the plan Wednesday.
According to the Seattle Times, the proposal would give experienced officers a $15,000 bonus to join the department, new recruits would receive $7,500.
The proposal will go before the full council next month.
Currently, the Seattle Police Department has about 70 fewer officers than it's budget allows for.
Fall of Lenin?
If a group of state lawmakers have their way, one of Fremont’s signature artworks, the 16-foot-tall statue of former Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin, will come down.
