Updated 9 June 2015
“Insanity! I have to sign a permission slip so my middle-schooler can eat an Oreo.” Tweet from a woman about her suburban Philadelphia school. Full story from Governing, June, 2015.- Should you be allowed to gather signatures for initiatives electronically? In many states, including Washington, a citizen can put new law or change to an existing one on the ballot for a public vote. But you have to gather 250,000 or more signatures to do so, which usually takes a million dollars or more to pay the signature gatherers. Should citizens be allowed to gather signatures electronically? Ironically, to get the law changed to allow this, someone would probably have to gather 250,000 wet signatures on paper. Column by Danny Westneat, Seattle Times, 7 June 2015.
- America’s First Government-Owned Legal Marijuana Store. The City of Bonneville, Washington, population 1000, opened the store, hoping to cater to the needs of nearby Portland Oregon, and help replenish its depleted treasury. Full story from Governing, June, 2015.
A pig was arrested in Michigan and it crapped all over the cop car. Police in Shelby Township, Michigan apprehended an aggressive pig on May 28 after it chased a woman who was gardening. The pig, whose name is Pig, was put in the back of a police cruiser and returned to its owners. During the trip, however, it looks like Pig made a bit of a mess (read: it pooped on everything) in the back of the squad car. Photos and article here, Mashable, 1 June 2015. Reminds me of when I was a police officer (a long long time ago in a City far far away). I once arrested a drunk, and being a cautious cop, patted him down before putting him in my police cruiser. Yup, you guessed it, he had pooped in his pants and I found that fact out the hard way.- City Attorney brings pot to work. “When I brought the unopened marijuana to city offices — trying to keep up with a busy schedule — I nonetheless violated the city’s rules. I apologize to my employees … and to the public.” Pete Holmes, Seattle City Attorney
Full article, Seattle Times, 11 July, 2014 - Playing with fire. “Should have nuked it from orbit instead of killing it with fire.” Man sets fire to his rented home in West Seattle using a can of spray paint and a cigarette lighter to try and kill a spider. Comments on this post in the West Seattle Blog, 16 July 2014
Six Californias by David Horsey in the LA Times. Can America deal with six Californias? If the pipe dream of Menlo Park venture capitalist Timothy Draper becomes a reality, there will be five extra states along the coast between Oregon and the Mexican border and 10 extra senators voting in Washington. Click here or on the image to see the original. 17 July 2014
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