Firework failures and the new legislature this week

Bill Radke review the week's news with Joni Balter, host of the Seattle Channel's Civic Cocktail, Brandi Kruse, correspondent at Q13 News, and Jonathan Martin, assistant metro editor at the Seattle Times.

A new year means new laws! The panelists choose which ones they think could have the biggest impact on Washington. As well as the potential effects of Eastern Washington's New Years Eve tumbleweed invasion (we're already on the lookout for a tumbleweed themed horror movie).

Plus, a new legislative session begins on the 13th - what can we expect? Will Representative Matt Shea be removed from office?

The Seattle city council is also about to start their new session, and council member Kshama Sawant already knows one bill she wants to propose - a new big business tax. Will it succeed this time?

And two Amazon employees were warned they could be fired for their comments on Amazon's environmental policies. Is this a good move for the company?

Also, say goodbye to late fees at Seattle Public Libraries! As of this week they will no longer charge late fees, as long as you're less than two weeks late. Is this too permissive? Or just what library patrons need?

The library's not the only thing that's changing. Washington is switching up how we vote in the presidential primaries. Specifically by having a primary, instead of a caucus, and moving the date from May to March. What effects will that have on the election?

And finally, Seattle said goodbye to 2019 not with a bang, but with a flash. The Space Needle's fireworks show was canceled due to high winds. Should we be disappointed, or just glad nothing caught on fire?