1. After accusing the Republican-dominated senate of holding the budget hostage with an ideological wish list of non-budget policy bills, the Democrats relented late last night and—after the senate once again sent over a policy bill (legislation that modifies the voter-approved toxics cleanup fund)—the Democrats passed it in order to get the Republicans to pass a Democratic budget line item: $160 million in new revenue from a bill closing an estate tax loophole.

The governor signed both bills last night. The Department of Revenue was actually on the hook to start sending out estate tax refunds today if the governor hadn't signed the bill by 8 AM today.

 "And that's why Republicans hold hostages," a peeved liberal lobbyist quipped late last night, "it works."

 "And that's why Republicans hold hostages," a peeved liberal lobbyist quipped late last night, "it works."

The Republican-dominated Majority Coalition Caucus relented too, though, breaking apart for the first time all session. Sens. Rodney Tom, Steve Litzow, Andy Hill, Joe Fain (all Eastside Seattle suburban senators), John Braun, and Bruce Dammeier joined with the Democrats to pass the estate tax repeal for new revenue, while 19 Republicans, incuding leader Sen. Mark Schoesler and the sponsor of the toxics bill involved in the trade, Sen. Doug Ericksen, voted against it. 

Sen. Ericksen sent out a press release at 1 am, cheering the passage of his toxic fund bill, with a supportive quote for the Democrats' environmental lead, Sen. Kevin Ranker.

2. The question is: Will the Republicans continue to trade budget items for policy bills. There's still $109 million Democratic budget bill that closes a telecom industry tax loophole. And the Republican wish list still includes a business-friendly workers comp bill, an "education reform" bill (that the governor has called an "anti-teacher bill"), and the GOP's gold standard (and the bill most-detested by the Democrats)—a six percent cap non-education spending from new revenue.

According to records requests filed with the city, as of the end of May, Selig owes City Light $1,120,756, not counting unbilled late and delinquency fees.

In testimony before the city council, Selig portrayed himself as an ideal corporate citizen, saying his company already cleans up in front of his buildings and doesn't need an additional $80,000 assessment to have MID ambassadors do it for him. "These are services that we already provide to our tenants." 

We approached Selig's complaint with a fair bit of skepticism, given that—in addition to almost single-handedly funding the 2004 anti-monorail campaign—the thing the developer is best known for is failing to pay his city utility bills. Back in 2004, Erica reported that Selig owed the city "a whopping $630,000" in unpaid electric bills, and was curious whether this upstanding corporate citizen had turned around his act. 

Nope. According to records requests filed with the city, as of the end of May, Selig owes City Light $1,120,756, not counting unbilled late and delinquency fees. (He also owes Seattle Public Utilities $65,050). In comparison, that $80,000 for the MID like a pittance to us.