Here is a selection of articles we read this week.
Travel Ban’s Day in Court – The Supreme Court hears arguments Wednesday in a challenge to the Trump administration’s travel ban, the first major high court test of one of President Donald Trump’s signature campaign issues and a key piece of his tough-on-immigration efforts. Read more on Roll Call.
Endowment $$$ – The fight over the Republican tax bill passed last December is far in the rearview of most colleges and student groups. But a group of private colleges still has its sights set on overturning a new endowment tax passed as part of that bill over the objections of higher ed advocates. Read more from Inside Higher Ed.
WA’s $9B Problem – A new study released as a prelude to Sen. Patty Murray’s legislative effort to contain the opioid epidemic estimates the financial impacts of overdose deaths alone have cost Washington state $34 billion over the four years ending in 2016. Read more from Governing.
Peanuts & Crackerjacks – Baseball season is underway and this week, the House Republican baseball team returned to the practice field where one year ago Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) was shot during practice. And off the field, the scene appeared very different than it did before the shooting. At least 20 uniformed Capitol Police officers, a member of the K-9 unit and his German shepherd swept TV and cargo trucks and media bags. Other non-uniformed security kept watch along the outfield fences. Read more from Roll Call.
The Best Weed in America – In his TV appearance on “Real Time with Bill Maher” last Friday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee joked about the quality of his state’s bud. “I can honestly say we got the best weed in the United States of America,” he joked with the talk show host. “It’s a growing industry, and it’s well-regulated.” Watch the clip on Governing.