SEATTLE - With just a few days left in 2015, it's a good time to take stock of the biggest political stories of the year in our region.
We reviewed all the headlines of the year, and these are the ones here in Washington that got talked about the most and will have lasting impacts into the new year and beyond.
#10 Auditor Indicted
- First up, the shocker of State Auditor Troy Kelley being indicted on ten counts of fraud and tax evasion. Is impeachment next?
#9 Tuition Slashed
- Tuition was slashed up to 20% at the state’s universities and community colleges, reversing years of increases.
#8 Tacoma Approves $12/hour
- Tacoma became the latest Washington city to hike in the minimum wage. Voters approved a new $12 an hour wage in November.
#7 Kayaktivists
- They stole the show this summer. Hundreds of kayaktivists protesting oil drilling rigs at the Port of Seattle. They became an international sensation.
#6 Eyman Wins
- Tim Eyman came roaring back with yet another big win. Initiative 1366 is the 6th time voters have supported a supermajority to raise taxes.
#5 Sawant Stays
- In Seattle, Socialist firebrand Shama Sawant sailed to another term. Some had thought she had worn out her welcome with her harsh rhetoric, but her style stays, at least for another 4 years.
#4 Black Lives Matter
- Black Lives Matter made national headlines when they shut down a local Bernie and disrupted holiday shopping in downtown Seattle.
#3 Wrongfully Released
- This story has already spread around the nation. The State released 3200 prisoners early over the last 13 years. One went on to commit vehicular homicide, when he should have been in jail.
#2 Schools
- Huge news for education. The Washington Supreme Court fined the State Legislature $100,000 a day for not adequately funding public education, and they pulled the plug on charter schools, calling them unconstitutional.
#1 Transportation Triumphs
- Finally, transportation. It was talked about all year, and more money was thrown at it than ever before. Lawmaker passed a $12 billion package of road improvements throughout the state. At the same time, Seattle voters approved a historic $1 billion levy in street and transit improvements.
