Washington House Democrats on Tuesday proposed nearly $1 billion in short-term property tax relief, followed by a longer-term tax cut funded by a new state capital gains tax on a minority of wealthier residents.Read More
In recent years, Washington has led the nation in locking up kids for running away, skipping school and other non-criminal behavior. Now state lawmakers are considering whether to ban juvenile detention for "status offenses."Read More
The chief budget writer in the Washington state House of Representatives says it’s up to Democratic leaders whether he keeps his chairmanship following a rollover crash and his arrest for intoxicated driving last Saturday.Read More
The Washington House of Representatives has voted to phase out farming of non-native fish in state waters, drawing the end of Atlantic salmon farming in Puget Sound one step closer.Read More
In a vote unprecedented in modern times in the state of Washington, the state Senate voted Wednesday to abolish the death penalty and instead impose life in prison without the possibility of parole for those convicted of aggravated first degree murder. The measure now moves to the House.Read More
Washington lawmakers vowed to protect net neutrality after the Federal Communications Commission rolled back the Obama-era regulations. Now that effort is making progress.Read More
The head of Cooke Aquaculture says he's furious about "scare tactics" that he says are driving a push to end Atlantic salmon farming in Puget Sound. The Washington Senate voted 35-12 Thursday to phase out aquatic leases for net pens holding non-native fish.Read More
Future teachers in Washington may have to get more training in the history, culture, and treaty rights of Native American tribes. That’s a requirement of a bill currently before the state Legislature.Read More
Efforts to address sexual harassment in the Washington state Capitol have suffered a setback. Legislative leaders had pledged to improve the workplace climate following reports late last year that revealed a history of misconduct at the Capitol. But finding a solution has proven more difficult than expected.Read More
With traffic congestion getting ever worse in the Seattle metro area, two classes of solo drivers are asking for permission to use the carpool lanes. But it's a hard sell in Olympia.Read More
A batch of late-arriving ballots is going out to nearly 7,000 Washington voters in advance of next Tuesday’s special election. That’s because of an error in the state’s Motor Voter system that allows people to register to vote when they get a drivers license.Read More
Washington state has tightened the screws—again—on an Atlantic salmon farming operation. The state Department of Natural Resources Saturday terminated the lease for Cooke Aquaculture's Cypress Island fish farm near Anacortes.Read More
Washington’s 60-day legislative session is approaching the halfway mark and majority Democrats are flexing their one-party control of Olympia. That’s especially evident in the state Senate where several priority Democratic bills have been put on a fast track.Read More
Community colleges in Washington should be able to bar level three sex offenders from enrolling in classes when minors are present. That's the upshot of a bill under consideration by the state legislature.Read More
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is calling on state lawmakers to “step up” and pass a carbon tax this year. He made the comments Tuesday as the midpoint of the legislative session approaches.Read More
Washington lawmakers are considering reducing the penalty for driving with a suspended or revoked license. Right now, it’s a gross misdemeanor and can lead to fines, hefty court fees and even jail time.Read More
Affirmative action has been forbidden in Washington for the last 20 years, but now state senators are considering repealing the ban. After a vote of the people in 1998, state government bodies have been barred from giving preferential treatment to minorities in public education, hiring and contracting. Read More
A former top official at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has been convicted of breaking into the home of a colleague and raping her. The verdict Wednesday follows a lengthy trial in a case that revealed a sexualized workplace culture at the agency.Read More
The Washington House Environment Committee hosted public hearings Tuesday on two bills that would restrict a class of chemicals found in everything from firefighting retardant to food wrappers.Read More
Immigrants without legal status are not eligible for government healthcare plans like Medicaid. So some Washington lawmakers want to create a program to cover some of their reproductive healthcare needs, including abortions, contraceptives and family planning.Read More
A coalition of news outlets have won a partial victory in a public records lawsuit against the Washington Legislature. A judge in Thurston County said lawmakers are subject to the state’s public disclosure law.Read More
After a months-long standoff, Washington lawmakers say they’ve reached a bipartisan deal on a thorny water rights issue that will pave the way for quick passage of a $4.5 billion capital construction budget that’s been held up since last spring.Read More
While Washington lawmakers have vowed to protect net neutrality, thousands of people in rural communities still lack access to high speed internet. That may change if a big budget proposal goes through this year.Read More
John Spellman, a former Washington governor and the first King County executive, has died. He was elected as governor in 1980 and served one term. He’s also the last Republican to hold the state's top office. Read More
The opioid crisis is front and center at the Washington Legislature this week. On Monday, lawmakers heard testimony on three bills aimed at preventing and treating opioid addiction and reducing overdose deaths.Read More
A ban on firearm bump stocks has passed out of a Washington state Senate committee. But it faces an uncertain future.Read More
A Washington House committee took up a bill today that could mean a chance to access health care for Pacific Islanders who live in Washington.
The bill applies to U.S. residents who come from the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau.Read More
Hundreds of people crowded hearing rooms in the Washington state Capitol Monday to testify on proposed gun control legislation. Several of the people who testified in favor of a ban were victims of the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas.Read More
If you’re considering buying an electric car in Oregon or Washington, you might want to pay attention to possible changes in tax policy. There’s uncertainty about the tax incentives meant to spur electric car sales.Read More
Gun rights activists from across Washington state rallied in Olympia recently. They came to protest proposed gun control legislation that supporters say will reduce mass gun violence. Most were openly carrying weapons including pistols and semi-automatic rifles.Read More
A bill to ban the controversial practice of trying to change the sexual orientation of LGBTQ people is making its way through the Washington Senate. It considers so-called "conversion therapy" for people under 18 "unprofessional conduct” for health care providers.Read More
The Washington House passed its first bill on the third day of this legislative session. It would require high poverty schools to offer breakfast after the start of the school day and is a priority for Democrats.Read More
Losing a child is a devastating loss. But imagine if that death is followed by a legal battle. That’s what happened after a Mukilteo teenage died in 2016. Now her mom is trying to change state law.Read More
For the first time since 2013, Democrats will have one-party control of Olympia. The top issues for the 2018 legislative session include: education funding, a carbon tax and passage of a state capital construction budget.Read More
The Washington Legislature is set to open its 2018 session Monday, Jan. 8. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins lists his top five issues to watch, including gun safety, spending on public schools, and a state Voting Rights Act.Read More
Early numbers on a new Washington law designed to crack down on felons and domestic abusers who try to buy a gun show that since July, more than 1,200 would-be gun buyers have failed background checks.Read More
Washington state lawmakers convene Monday, January 8 for a short 60-day election year session. Already lawmakers have pre-filed dozens of bills they’d like to see passed.Read More
County governments are pushing back against Washington state over who should pay for certain services. The counties are upset the state has imposed a number of requirements on county government without additional funding. Read More
Washington state Republican Representative Matt Manweller. CREDIT: WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE Listen UPDATE, Dec. 29, 2017: Public records released by Central Washington University this week show professor and GOP state […]Read More
Republican state Representative Matt Manweller WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE Listen UPDATE, Dec. 29, 2017: Public records released by Central Washington University this week show professor and GOP state Rep. Matt Manweller […]Read More
OraLynn Reeve, the ex-wife of Matt Manweller, standing in her Duvall, Washington, home. WALKER ORENSTEIN/THE NEWS TRIBUNE Listen UPDATE, Dec. 11, 2017: Central Washington University has placed Matt Manweller on paid leave […]Read More
A bill introduced by Washington Sen. Karen Keiser would place limits on non-disclosure agreements. WASHINGTON LEGISLATURE Washington state Sen. Karen Keiser says she wants to encourage disclosure of sexual harassment […]Read More
