OLYMPIA — The House has passed a measure to add a $5 “opt out” fee to annual vehicle registrations to help keep Washington state parks open.
The measure passed Monday night on a 56-42 vote and now goes to the Senate.
Majority Democrats say it would not be a new tax, because car owners could check a box on their tab forms to opt out of the fee. Lawmakers hope the state could bring in more than $20 million for parks and avert temporary park closures or transfers.
Republicans argue that requiring people to opt out is deceptive.
Legislators approve puppy mill crackdown
The Legislature has approved a measure cracking down on dog breeders who operate puppy mills.
Under the bill, dog breeders and owners would be barred from owning more than 50 dogs over 6 months old that are not neutered or spayed.
Anyone who has more than 10 unaltered dogs that spend most of their time in pens must house the dogs in clean and dry conditions. Dogs would have to be provided with food, water and exercise.
The Senate, on a 43-4 vote Monday, sent the measure to Gov. Chris Gregoire for final approval.
Lewis County coroner’s suicide ruling to be reviewed
A woman who doesn’t believe her daughter killed herself 10 years ago has fought to have a judge review the Lewis County coroner’s ruling of suicide.
Barb Thompson believes the sheriff’s office botched the investigation in the death of Ronda Reynolds. The 33-year-old former state trooper was found shot in her head at her home in Toledo. The body was found by her husband who said he was not involved in the death.
The state Attorney General’s Office reviewed the case in 2006 and listed nearly a dozen mistakes by investigators but agreed evidence pointed to suicide.
The Seattle Times reported Thurston County Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks will hold a hearing Friday to determine whether to call a jury to review the case.
Ellensburg: Everett man charged in robbery
The man accused of robbing a convenience store with his 9-year-old daughter at his side pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Monday in Kittitas County Superior Court.
Robert Daniel Webb, 42, of Everett is charged with robbery and reckless endangerment in the March 31 holdup of the Ellensburg-area store.
Video shows the girl in a pink coat watching as a robber pulls a gun and takes about $200 from the clerk, saying he needed the money for his daughter.
The girl was safely returned to her mother. Webb was arrested April 4 in Yakima.
Webb is being held on $500,000 bail. Trial has been set for June 2.
Port Gamble: Hood Canal closure looms
The Hood Canal floating bridge closes May 1 for a six-week project to replace the eastern half of the bridge.
The Transportation Department has been urging travelers between the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas to prepare for the disruption.
The $500 million project will replace pontoons and make other improvements on the older half of the bridge that opened in 1961.
The west side of the bridge was replaced after it sank in a 1979 windstorm. It reopened in 1982.
Oregon: Police seek monkey that bit girl
Police are looking for a man and his pet monkey after the monkey bit a six-year-old girl at Salem’s Riverfront Park over the weekend.
Salem Police Sgt. John Hardy says he is confident the man and his monkey, who was wearing a diaper, will be found.
The girl, Serena Taylor, is taking antibiotics for possible infections.
Police told the Salem Statesman Journal newspaper that the man and his monkey were on a park bench, and a crowd gathered. Serena asked the man if she could pet the monkey, who looked agitated and jumped at her.
Associated Press
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