The family of  man who was murdered by a Tacoma police officer says Gov. Chris Gregoire is their only hope, asking her to veto a bill that prevents them from collecting on the killer’s pension.

The bill is an amendment that rewrites the garnishment law, which insulates retirement funds or pensions from garnishment.

Rep. Roger Goodman worked on it and says the amendment only clarified some parts of what was already state law. But, he does have compassion for the widow who’s already been victimized.

Al Anthis, 64, was shot and killed by retired longtime Tacoma cop Walter Copland.

Anthis’ widow should get the officer’s pension, according to the State Supreme Court. But, the pension protection bill doesn’t allow for that.

Goodman says he’s meeting with the Gregoire on this today to see if there’s anything they can do for Anthis’ family.

A proposed sales tax increase of one-tenth of one percent is one step closer to becoming a reality for the City of Tacoma.

The Tacoma City Council heard the first reading of an ordinance at its Tuesday meeting that would impose the additional sales tax to help fund mental health services.

The increase is a necessary one, argued mental health providers and others who work with those who most need mental health services, but some council members worry that a higher sales tax will hit the local business community hardest.

"I’m really also frustrated to have this coming forth," said Councilman Marty Campbell, first thanking state Rep. Jeannie Darneille for her work on the proposal. :Sales tax is very regressive and can be impactful, but more than that I”m frustrated with the fact that we’ve had the ability to pass this ... at our county level and it just hasn’t been done and it’s falling back."

Councilman Joe Lonergan also said he'd like to hear more feedback from the business community, and that while the increase would not make much of a difference on a $10 purchase, the perception could hurt businesses that sell larger ticket items like furniture.

It’s been three weeks since Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage into law.

Gay marriage won’t be legal in Washington until later this year, and even then only if all goes according to supporters’ plans.

But for some in the South Sound support has long been available, from places that many would least expect: area churches. 

Tired of media coverage of anti-gay churches and clergy, a group of local religious leaders have started to organize.

They plan to create a group that will present a united front of churches that publicly and openly support gay rights and same-sex marriage - and have for years, in some cases.

Over the next few months, this “faith-based movement for marriage equality” will pull clergy in the Tacoma area to organize them in support of same-sex marriage legislation.

“Especially gay and lesbian young people need to know that there’s a religious community that’s open to them and that’s encouraging,” says Bob Anderson, a member of Tacoma’s First Congregational Church and the man pushing for the group’s foundation.