Newspaper tax break and college in Snohomish County still alive

Some folks will be smiling at this news.

First, the B&O tax break for newspapers is alive. It had been in the initial House and Senate budgets in March. It wasn’t – and isn’t yet – in the final product.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee advanced it this morning and it still must emerge on the floor for a Senate vote. If is does and passes with no changes House Bill 2122 will go to the governor.

Second, state lawmakers are going to make a mild commitment to put the next public university in Snohomish County. The pledge is contained in a 31-word proviso in the capital budget that passed the House Friday and is in the Senate today.

There’s no money involved, no site chosen and no timeline to get it going. It keeps a toe in the doorway for backers of the college.