Fight for 15 update: Seattle employment craters after minimum wage hike to $15/hour

Science! (Is economics really a science? I’ve long felt it should be taught alongside astrology or some related field.) In any event, the continent sized Petri dish which is the American jobs market has been the subject of much speculation since the Fight for Fifteen muscled its way into the presidential campaign debate. It’s a very populist position which the Democrats have been riding like rocket. At the same time, people who actually study such matters have been warning that it would backfire spectacularly...
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Seattle sued over recycling inspectors keeping tabs on residents' trash

When it comes to garbage, the city of Seattle has launched a waste war.
Nine full-time solid waste inspectors have been hired as part of a controversial program to check city trash to make sure people are recycling. Additionally, contracted waste haulers have been effectively deputized as trash police, given the authority to tag bins when people fail to recycle and compost enough.
The program is now the subject of a lawsuit, as residents fume over what some call an intrusive government program.


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Seattle officials join push for Sharia-compliant mortgages, loans

A proposal in Seattle meant to increase homeownership among Muslims by offering financing compliant with strict Islamic law -- known as Sharia -- is gaining ground in the latest test for local leaders trying to accommodate diverse religious beliefs.
"We will work to develop new tools for Muslims who are prevented from using conventional mortgage products due to their religious beliefs," Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said during a press conference July 13.


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Shell’s Arctic Ambitions Held Up In Seattle

Shell’s ambitious plans to finally return to the Arctic face yet another hurdle, one that could delay drilling once again.
Shell is using the port of Seattle as its base for some of its vessels that it will use in the Arctic. Seattle has been a launching point for Shell in the past (and has hosted Alaskan drilling equipment for decades), but a new greener municipal government is taking a harder look at Shell’s operations. Spurred on by Shell’s error-ridden 2012 campaign in the Arctic that culminated in the grounding of the Kulluk, environmental groups have mustered up some political power over Shell’s Arctic program. While not necessarily having the upper hand – much of the decision-making happens at the federal level – Seattle environmental groups have a powerful ally in City Hall.


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Seattle to Fine Residents for Throwing Food in the Garbage

In an attempt to shame residents of their city, a new Seattle law will levy a fine on homes that do not properly sort food out of their garbage.  Emblazoned with a red citation tag, violators will start to be fined anywhere from $1-$50 in July. For now, Seattle residents will be publicly shamed by the ‘Scarlet Letter’-like tags.  US Food Waste Food waste is a big, and still growing, problem. (Charles Krupa/AP Photo) "I'm sure neighbors are going to see these on their other neighbors' cans," says Rodney Watkins, a lead driver for Recology CleanScapes, a waste contractor for the city. He's on the front lines of enforcing these rules.

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Student who helped stop Seattle shooter is flooded with wedding gifts

Jon Meis became an instant icon of courage on Thursday when he and fellow students helped subdue a gunman who was on a rampage inside Seattle Pacific University.

It turns out that the 22-year-old is also planning to get married. His newfound fans discovered the student’s wedding registry and have been buying up presents for Meis and his future wife.

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Let's just bag the bag ban. Speak up!

Seattle, WA – Seattle has banned the use of plastic bags in grocery stores for the greater good of the environment. However several grocery store owners say this action has been calamitous to their bottom line [Just like Corvallis!]. ✧ Shoppers have resorted to using reusable totes since the City Council unanimously voted in the plastic bag ban in July. Businesses in Seattle charge a nickel for paper bags in order to encourage consumers to use the more environmentally friendly reusable bags. Since the ban has been in effect, shoplifting has soared and stores are losing thousands in both stolen merchandise and carrier basket costs. Read more at the InquisitR...

Note: Tammy Bruce was a guest on Fox News today and she said that laws like the bag ban are simply 'conditioning' the people to accept more and more government control over their lives. Everyday decisions that once belonged to the individual are now being made by government. It's wake-up time! Read More......