Clark County residents can vote in a new poll after councilors declined to pursue a change to make the clerk position appointed. The issue may be revisited by the Charter Review Commission. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-should-the-clark-county-clerk-remain-an-elected-position/ #ClarkCountyClerk #ClarkCountyCouncil #PublicComment #LocalGovernment #VancouverWA #Poll #Opinion #CharterReview

Clark County Council chose not to advance a proposal to make the clerk position appointed after public outcry. Officials deferred the issue to the Charter Review Commission for further evaluation. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/public-comment-prevails-no-action-taken-on-clerk-agenda-item-at-clark-county-council-meeting/ #ClarkCountyCouncil #ClarkCountyClerk #PublicComment #CharterReview #Transparency #VancouverWA #SueMarshall #AliciaTopper #RobAnderson

Neighbors for a Better Crossing is calling for an updated seismic assessment of the current I-5 bridge before any more money is spent on the $7.5 billion Interstate Bridge Replacement. The group says current messaging relies on fear rather than engineering data, and argues a retrofit or Immersed Tube Tunnel could be safer and cheaper. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-neighbors-for-a-better-crossing-calls-for-a-current-seismic-study-for-7-5-billion-interstate-bridge-project/ #IBR #NeighborsForABetterCrossing #SeismicStudy #BridgeReplacement #TransportationPolicy #ClarkCountyWA #ColumbiaRiver #TunnelAlternative #WSDOT #ODOT

Jason Mercier of the Mountain States Policy Center slams the Washington State Supreme Court for endorsing secrecy in government employee compensation talks. In an 8-1 ruling, justices upheld a process that shields billion-dollar offers from public view until after state budgets are finalized. Mercier urges lawmakers to adopt transparency reforms like those in Idaho and Costa Mesa. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washingtons-supreme-court-hides-the-ball-on-state-employee-compensation-offers/ #JasonMercier #WashingtonSupremeCourt #PublicRecords #Transparency #CollectiveBargaining #WFSE #TaxpayerDollars #GovernmentAccountability #COIN #MountainStatesPolicyCenter

Vancouver Clinic has launched a major expansion at its east Clark County site along 192nd Avenue. The new three-story facility, scheduled to open in 2027, will offer expanded access to primary care, pediatrics, OB/GYN, imaging, orthopedics, and more. Officials say the project reflects the organization’s long-standing commitment to meet growing community needs. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-clinic-begins-major-expansion-in-vancouver-camas/ #VancouverClinic #CamasWA #VancouverWA #HealthcareExpansion #PrimaryCare #SpecialtyCare #MultispecialtyClinic #ColumbiaPalisades #SportsMedicine #ClarkCountyGrowth

Gov. Bob Ferguson promised to use state funds to offset an $11 million federal cut to Planned Parenthood caused by the Trump-signed spending bill. Speaking outside a Seattle clinic, Ferguson emphasized access to essential services, while the organization’s leaders warned of deep impacts on over 100,000 patients across Washington. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/wa-governor-commits-to-backfilling-planned-parenthood-funding-cut-by-congress/ #PlannedParenthood #BobFerguson #Medicaid #ReproductiveHealth #TrumpBill #WApolitics #SeattleNews #HealthCareAccess #JenniferAllen #WashingtonStateStandard

Rep. John Ley attended the C-TRAN ribbon cutting for Vancouver’s newest Bus Rapid Transit line and voiced support for more affordable, flexible transit solutions. Citing lower operating costs and faster travel times than TriMet’s MAX light rail, Ley said adding BRT to the IBR could save $2 billion and better serve Clark County residents. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/rep-john-ley-supports-c-tran-bus-rapid-transit-to-save-washington-money/ #JohnLey #CTRAN #BRT #TransitPolicy #ClarkCountyWA #TransportationFunding #WSUVancouver #MAXLightRail #TaxpayerSavings #InterstateBridg

C-TRAN and WSU Vancouver celebrated the launch of The Vine on Highway 99 with a groundbreaking ceremony featuring community leaders and Butch the Cougar. The 9-mile bus rapid transit line will connect WSU Vancouver to downtown by 2027, promising better access, safer streets, and expanded transit across Clark County. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/c-tran-wsu-vancouver-celebrates-groundbreaking-for-the-vine-on-highway-99/ #CTRAN #WSUVancouver #TheVine #Highway99 #TransitExpansion #BRT #PublicTransportation #ClarkCountyWA #ButchCougar #SandraHaynes

Charter Review Commission candidate John Jay returns with the third installment of his Charterist series, this time focusing on how the Clark County Charter limits the powers of the legislative branch. Jay contends that structural disadvantages — including part-time status and limited staff — leave the County Council unable to effectively check the executive branch. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-charterist-iii-concerning-the-powers-of-the-legislative-branch/ #JohnJay #ClarkCountyCharter #Opinion #CountyCouncil #ChecksAndBalances #CharterReview #ClarkCountyWA #LocalGovernment #CountyPolitics #LegislativeReform

The C-TRAN board postponed a key vote on light rail operations and maintenance costs as legal cases involving Michelle Belkot’s removal continue. With lawsuits pending and public sentiment divided, Tuesday’s meeting reflected a board trying to navigate complex legal and political dynamics. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/c-tran-board-again-postpones-vote-on-light-rail-operations-and-maintenance-costs/ #CTRAN #MichelleBelkot #LightRail #ClarkCountyPolitics #JohnLey #PublicTrust #ReformClarkCounty #TransportationPolicy #TriMet #ClarkCountyWA