Regional briefs for Dec. 4

• Published December 04, 2008

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Olympia

Atheist display angers news commentator

More than 200 calls an hour kept workers busy at the state Department of General Administration and the Governor's Office on Wednesday after Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly declared war on what he thinks is an assault on Christmas.

He's blaming Gov. Chris Gregoire for an atheists' display on the Capitol's third floor. The atheists' plaque, which talks about the winter solstice and declares there are no gods or devils or angels, is placed near a Nativity set that features a baby Jesus.

The Nativity set and plaque both are allowed under a state policy that resulted from a legal settlement reached by the state and an Arizona-based religious-rights group one year ago over whether to allow the Nativity, or creche, in a secular building.

The Democratic governor issued a joint statement with Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna this afternoon that said in part:

"The U.S. Supreme Court has been consistent and clear that, under the Constitution's First Amendment, once government admits one religious display or viewpoint onto public property, it may not discriminate against the content of other displays, including the viewpoints of non-believers."

Teachers union settles campaign money case

Washington state's largest teachers union and Attorney General Rob McKenna have settled a lawsuit over union fees and political spending.

The case stems from charges filed in 2000. The Washington Education Association was accused of violating a state law that said workers must "opt in," before a union can spend some of their money on political causes.

The union challenged the law, and the U.S. Supreme Court upheld it. But the law was changed by the Legislature.

Under the settlement announced Wednesday, the union will pay the state $735,000 to end the lawsuit.

South Sound

Law enforcement warn of fake $20 bills

Counterfeiters have been passing phony $20 bills in Shelton and Olympia, according to a news release from the Mason County Sheriff's Office.

Detectives from the Mason County Sheriff's Office are working with Shelton police and law enforcement in Thurston County, along with the U.S. Secret Service, to investigate.

The bills appear to be slightly smaller than authentic ones. The Mason County Sheriff's Office warns the public to be on the lookout for the counterfeit currency, and asks anyone with information to call 360-427-9670, ext. 313.

Tumwater

School board to have special meeting

The Tumwater School Board will have a special meeting between noon and 4 p.m. Friday at the district office, 419 Linwood Ave. S.W., Tumwater, to discuss several topics: the superintendent and the board's goals, the 2007-08 financial report, and district spending and potential cost savings.

The Olympian, news services