A Right to Die?

The assisted suicide movement is getting new help from a high-profile figure. Former Governor Booth Gardner is taking on what he calls his "last campaign" to push a new initiative for the November ballot that would legalize assisted suicide for terminal patients in Washington state. Currently, Oregon is the only state in the nation that allows assisted suicide. Stricken with Parkinson's Disease himself, Gardner strongly believes people should have the right to choose the time of their own death. But opponents say assisted suicide laws are dangerous because they could encourage suicide among people suffering from treatable depression, and could open the door to abuse by family members who might coerce aging relatives to kill themselves.

Seattle Lynching Update

Sixty years ago, a group of African American soldiers was court martialed for rioting and the lynching of an Italian prisoner of war at Seattle's Fort Lawton. But last year, the Army exonerated the men, deciding they did not get a fair trial. Now, in an update to this story CNX first brought you in November, the Army has decided how much compensation the surviving soldiers should receive. In this episode, Seattle author Jack Hamann joins Enrique Cerna to update viewers on how much the soldiers will receive, and why some say this miscarriage of justice still has not been adequately addressed.

Green Watch: Eco Bills

This legislative session looked to be a promising one for the environment, with a slew of bills that would have banned plastic water bottles and grocery bags, restricted lead and mercury in products, reduced greenhouse emissions, and even created a new industry of "green jobs." But with the legislative session coming to a close, what happened to all those bills? King County Eco-Consumer Tom Watson updates us on this year's eco-bills -- what passed, what didn't, and why.

Which environmentally-friendly bills have been trashed by the legislature, and which ones might still survive

SEATTLE: This years legislative session was a promising one for the environment, with bills that proposed everything from banning plastic grocery bags, to reducing mercury and lead pollution.

But with less than two weeks left in the session, which ones are still alive, and which ones are kaput? Here is a quick look.

Bill: Grocery Checkout Bags, HB 2424
What It Would Do: Require grocery stores to stop using traditional plastic bags and to provide bags made of recyclable paper, compostable plastic or reusable fabric.
Status: Dead

Bill: Telephone Directories, HB 3326
What It Would Do: Require publishers or distributors of telephone directories to provide a way for you to avoid receiving them it you don't want them.
Status: Dead

Bill: Junk Mail, HB 1205, SB 5719
What It Would Do: Establish a "Do Not Mail" registry similar to the "Do Not Call" list for telemarketers. Marketers would be prohibited from sending unsolicited advertising mail to anyone on the "Do Not Mail." Violators would face a $2,000 fine per incident.
Status: Dead

Bill: Take-Out Containers, HB 2423
What It Would Do: Require restaurants and other food vendors to begin using recyclable or compostable take-out food containers. No more Styrofoam.
Status: Dead

Bill: Plastic Bottles, HB 2422
What It Would Do: Prohibit the sale of petroleum-based plastic water bottles in stores and vending machines. Bottles made of hard plastic would be okay because they are considered "reusable."
Status: Dead

Bill: Children's Safe Products Act, HB 2647, SB 6530
What It Would Do: Restrict the sales of any children's toys, cosmetics and other products that contain too much lead, cadmium or phthalates.
Status: Still alive

Bill: Lead Labeling, HB 2882
What It Would Do: Require manufacturers to label any products containing lead sold in the state of Washington. The percentage of lead must be clearly readable on the front of the label, or actually imprinted on the product itself. Ammunition would be exempted from the law.
Status: Still alive

Bill: Lead Wheel Weights, HB 2143
What It Would Do: Require drivers to use non-lead wheel weights on vehicles. Car makers, dealerships and repair shops must begin providing non-lead wheel weight alternatives to consumers. Drivers must begin replacing existing wheel weights starting 2011.
Status: Still alive

Bill: Mercury Release, SB 6502
What It Would Do: Require the mandatory recycling of all mercury-added lights from office buildings. Prohibit the sale of any mercury-added products in the state of Washington.
Status: Still alive

Bill: Climate Change Preparation, SB 6308
What It Would Do: Develop a statewide "Climate Change Program" to address concerns related to global warming. The program would focus on the impact of climate change on natural resources, such as water, as well as flood response. It would also create a new "Office of the Washington State Climatologist."
Status: Still alive

Bill: Greenhouse Emissions & Green Jobs, HB 2815, SB 6516
What It Would Do: Establish standards to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions in the state of Washington to 1990 levels by the year 2020. Require reporting of greenhouse emissions by all industries in the state. Establish a market-based system (cap & trade) for companies to meet emission standards. Reduce vehicle miles traveled by drivers in Washington. Establish a Green Jobs Initiative to create 25,000 new jobs in emerging energy technologies by 2020. Status: Still alive

Roundtable

Democratic Strategist Cathy Allen and Republican Strategist Randy Pepple join Enrique Cerna to recap the week's political happenings.

Feedback

Viewers share their opinions on last week's story about the Seattle Streetcar. Plus, we help viewers solve more digital dilemmas from the upcoming government-Mandated Digital Switch.