Washington Legislature Archives - Page 4 of 8 - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Vaccines, State Electoral College, Hydrogen Cars Teed Up For Washington’s 2021 Legislative Session

By Tom Banse January 5, 2021

The 2021 Washington Legislature will gavel to order under the dome in Olympia, but after that be mostly virtual. CREDIT: Tom Banse/N3

The COVID-19 pandemic is a recurring theme as Washington state lawmakers prepare to convene their 2021 legislative session. Some legislators are raring to get started and have already drafted and filed the proposals they plan to formally introduce once the opening gavel falls on January 11.Read More

Governor Dusts Off Washington Capital Gains Tax Idea, Proposes Insurance Tax To Fund Public Health

By Austin Jenkins December 18, 2020

On Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, Gov. Jay Inslee unveiled his budget proposals for the next two-year budget cycle. Among his proposals is a new tax on health insurance premiums to fund public health.

The tax measures are contained in the governor's two-year, $57.6 billion operating budget proposal released Thursday in advance of the 2021 Legislative session. Separately, the Democratic governor also released proposed capital construction and transportation budgets.Read More

Washington Voters Said ‘No’ To A Constitutional Amendment. Now There’s A $15 Billion Problem

By Austin Jenkins December 3, 2020

Graphic showing election results for Washington engrossed Senate Joint Resolution 8212 - rejected 54 percent to 46 percent

It was a little-noticed constitutional amendment to allow for the investment of long-term care trust fund dollars in private stocks. Voters soundly defeated the measure 54 to 46 percent. Now comes the surprise cost of that under-the-radar vote: an estimated $15 billion.Read More

Washington Lawmakers And Activists Craft Police Reform Bills Ahead Of 2021 Legislative Session

By NWPB News December 2, 2020

In this June 1, 2020, photo, police on motorcycles escort a protest march in Tacoma against police and the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis days earlier. Washington state lawmakers and activists are setting an ambitious agenda for police reform in the upcoming legislative session. They say they hope to make it easier to decertify officers for misconduct, to bar the use of police dogs to make arrests, and to create an independent statewide agency to investigate police. CREDIT: Photo/Ted S. Warren

Washington state lawmakers and activists are setting an ambitious agenda for police reform in the upcoming legislative session, saying they hope to make it easier to decertify officers for misconduct, to bar the use of police dogs to make arrests, and to create an independent statewide agency to investigate police killings.Read More

Washington House Democrats Told To Limit Their Bill Introductions In 2021 Session Due To COVID

By Austin Jenkins December 1, 2020

Because of disruptions wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, majority Democrats in the Washington House have been asked to restrain themselves and introduce no more than seven bills each during the 2021 legislative session -- and then only bills that “are urgently needed.”Read More

Panic Buying, Washington Businesses Close For Good As New COVID Restrictions Loom

By Austin Jenkins November 16, 2020

Toilet paper is sold out at a Safeway store in Tumwater, Washington. A wave of 'panic buying' followed news that Gov. Jay Inslee was instituting tough new restrictions to address a third wave of Covid-19.

Washington Republicans say the Legislature should immediately meet in special session to address the economic fallout from Gov. Jay Inslee’s latest Covid-19 orders – and even consider tapping the state’s “rainy day” fund.Read More

Dynamics Of Washington’s 2020 Election: Governor’s Race, State Legislature Looks Mostly The Same

By Scott Leadingham November 11, 2020

Incumbent Gov. Jay Inslee met with his GOP challenger, Republic Police Chief Loren Culp, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, for a debate sponsored by the Washington State Debate Coalition and broadcast statewide.

The Washington state legislature is shaping up to be … pretty much how it looked before the election – with Democrats in control of both houses. But not with super-majorities. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins breaks down the 2020 election in Washington state, on this episode of NWPB's Uniquely NW News.Read More

UPDATES: Jay Inslee Wins Reelection In Washington; More Northwest Election Results In Key Races

By NWPB News November 6, 2020

If Washington voters don't mail in ballots, they can return them in person to drop boxes like this one at the Yakima County Elections Office. CREDIT: ESMY JIMENEZ/NWPB

Election results are rolling in Tuesday night, but it's expected to take time to count all the ballots across the Northwest and many other states. Below are key races to watch, and links to resources and results from across Washington, Oregon and Idaho.Read More

It’s Time To ‘Fall Back’ Again, Despite Northwest States’ Lawmakers Voting To Stop The Clock

By Tom Banse October 29, 2020

No more changing of clocks like this one in Seattle's Lake Union Park if Congress OKs Washington's permanent move to daylight saving time. CREDIT: GIL AEGERTER/KUOW

Last year, the Oregon and Washington legislatures voted to observe daylight saving time year-round. Earlier this year, the Idaho Legislature voted to link the northern portion of Idaho, which follows Pacific time, to whatever time observance that Washington state follows. But we'll change our clocks this weekend anyway because Congress hasn't acted.Read More

Washington Beer Lobby Goes On The Offensive To Drown A Tax That Isn’t Even On Tap

By Austin Jenkins October 26, 2020

In a letter sent to Gov. Jay Inslee and legislative leaders in October 2020, representatives of the beer, grocery and hospitality industry urged policymakers “not to increase taxes on beer.” But state lawmakers say they're not considering such a tax at this point ahead of the 2021 legislative session. CREDIT: Scott A. Leadingham/NWPB

There's no indication a beer tax is on tap in Olympia. But the industry isn’t taking any chances. Especially after what happened in 2010. That’s when state lawmakers imposed an increase in the beer tax as part of a plan to balance a budget hammered by the Great Recession.Read More

Big-Time Spending Highlights Six Must-Watch Washington Legislative Races

By Austin Jenkins October 22, 2020

The Washington state capitol building in Olympia. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

In a year that seems all about the presidential election, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s happening down the ballot. In Washington, all nine statewide elected positions are up this year. But some of the fiercest action, and biggest spending, is happening in state legislative races.Read More

Newcomers, Up-And-Comers, And Almost Lifers: Your Guide To Washington’s Statewide Races

By Austin Jenkins October 21, 2020

Washington's August 4 primary ballot is chock full of candidates even though traditional campaigning has, in many cases, been put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. CREDIT: Washington Secretary of State's Office

Since 2011, Washington has been an all vote-by-mail state. This year, ballots will be mailed out no later than October 16. They must be returned to an official ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day or postmarked by that day. Election officials recommend voters use one of the nearly 500 official ballot drop boxes or voter centers statewide. Read More

Washington Lt. Governor On Unpaid Leave As He Attends Jesuit Training In California

By Austin Jenkins October 13, 2020

Lt. Gov Cyrus Habib is requesting money in the next two year state budget to hire security. JEANIE LINDSAY / N3

In a statement Tuesday to the public radio Northwest News Network and the Associated Press, the executive director of the lieutenant governor's office, Kristina Brown, said Democrat Cyrus Habib began his leave on Sept. 1 and notified both Inslee and Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig at that time.Read More

In Washington, The Revolving Door Between State Public Service And Lobbying Is Well Greased

By Austin Jenkins September 2, 2020

Efforts to slow WA’s revolving door from state service to lobbying have been thwarted in recent years. That makes the state an outlier in not requiring a cooling off period. So how much does this happen? Read More

Why Washington Leaders Aren’t Rushing To Address The State’s Pandemic-Caused Budget Shortfall

By NWPB News August 30, 2020

Washington state leaders say the earliest they would hold a emergency session at this point would most likely be after the November election, if they convene at all. It’s quite possible legislators won’t meet again until January, when their regular 105-day session is scheduled to begin.Read More

Former Washington U.S. Senator Slade Gorton Dies At 92

By Austin Jenkins August 19, 2020

Former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton has died at the age of 92. A Republican, he served three terms in the Senate. He was also a state lawmaker and three-term state attorney general. CREDIT: U.S. Senate

Former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton of Washington, a three-term Republican and 9/11 commissioner, has died at the age of 92. Thomas Slade Gorton III was born in Chicago in 1928. He was a descendant of the Gorton Seafood family of Massachusetts. But it was politics that attracted him from a young age.Read More

Farmworker Safety Takes Center Stage In Race For Central Washington State House Seat

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa August 8, 2020

Eduardo Castañeda-Díaz, the Democratic challenger in the race for Washington state House in the 13th Legislative District, leads a march down Mattawa’s main street July 29, 2020. CREDIT: Enrique Pérez de la Rosa/NWPB

In the Columbia Basin, the Democratic challenger for Washington state’s 13th Legislative District house seat has focused his message on farmworker safety and called for the boycott of fruit. It’s quite a move for a candidate in a district where the economy is dominated by agriculture.Read More

Washington Financial Disclosure Forms Will Go Back Online, Despite Opposition From Lawmakers

By Austin Jenkins June 26, 2020

The Washington Public Disclosure Commission website is where candidates file and the general public can see campaign expenditure reports.

The F-1 statements, as they’re known, were taken offline last month following an urgent email with the subject line “Stop online posting of F1 data” from Democratic state Sen. Sam Hunt, the chair of the State Government committee which oversees the PDC. Read More

Study Estimates High Costs, Low Ridership If Washington Boosted East-West Train Service

By Tom Banse June 24, 2020

The rail corridor studied stretches from Seattle to Spokane with six intermediate stops including Ellensburg, Yakima and Pasco.

The Washington Legislature commissioned the $250,000 study last year to see if it would be feasible to restart passenger service on the Stampede Pass line. The route crosses the Cascade Mountains from Seattle to Ellensburg, then stretches onward through the Yakima Valley to Pasco and Spokane.Read More

Governor Orders Furloughs, Cancels Some Pay Raises As Washington Shows $9B Drop In Revenues

By Austin Jenkins June 17, 2020

This chart shows Washington state revenues dropping by seven percent in fiscal year 2021, but increasing in subsequent years. CREDIT: Economic and Revenue Forecast Council

In a move not seen since the Great Recession, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday canceled pay raises for some state employees and ordered furloughs for many more through at least this fall. The move came the same day a new state revenue forecast projected an $8.8 billion drop in tax collections over the next three years.Read More

It’s An Election Year. But That’s Not Scaring Washington Democrats From Talking Taxes

By Austin Jenkins June 11, 2020

In this 2012 file photo, then Gov. Chris Gregoire talks about the state budget. During the Great Recession, Democrats largely addressed plummeting revenues through budget cuts instead of tax hikes. The response to the COVID-19 recession may be different. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

Unlike during the Great Recession, when the budget was largely balanced through spending cuts, this time around majority Democrats and their allies, like labor unions, are already signaling that tax increases are almost certain to be part of any solution. Read More

Nearly 100-Year-Old Historic Marker Stolen From Washington Capitol Campus

By Austin Jenkins May 29, 2020

This bronze plaque commemorating the location of the home of Washington's first territorial and state governors was stolen from the Capitol Campus earlier this month. Now the Washington State Patrol is seeking tips from the public.

A nearly 100-year-old historical marker has been mysteriously stolen from Washington's Capitol Campus and, with no leads on who took it, the state patrol is now asking the public for help solving the crime.Read More

Washington Republicans Want To Block Pay Raises And Cut Spending In June Special Session

By Austin Jenkins May 22, 2020

Saying that it’s time for the legislative branch to “intervene” in the state’s COVID-19 response, Republican leaders in the Washington Legislature on Thursday called for a special session of the Legislature to begin in June.Read More

Might There Be A Special Session Of The Washington Legislature? Don’t Bet On It, Or Against It

By Austin Jenkins May 20, 2020

The Washington Capitol building in Olympia with flowers in front

As Washington Gov. Jay Inslee exerts his emergency powers to battle COVID-19, behind the scenes legislative leaders are exploring the idea of a special session of the Legislature, perhaps as early as next month. Read More

Embattled Eastern Washington Legislator Matt Shea Won’t Be On The Ballot This Year

By Nicholas Deshais May 15, 2020

Washington state GOP Rep. Matt Shea records a video on the first day of the legislative session while a small group of supporters gather around him. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

It’s long been known in eastern Washington that Matt Shea is not your typical politician. Now, he won’t be on the ballot for the upcoming August primary. The 4 p.m. candidate filing deadline on Friday came and went with no sign of Shea. Read More

Trump Administration Says Washington State Overstepped With Oil Train Law

By NWPB News May 13, 2020

Smoke billows from a Union Pacific train that derailed near Mosier, Ore., in the Columbia River Gorge. on June 3, 2016.

The Trump administration on Monday moved to block a Washington state law that imposed safety restrictions on oil shipments by rail following a string of explosive accidents.Read More

After Brief Moment Of Unity, Republicans Crank Up Criticism Of Jay Inslee Ahead Of Campaign Season

By Austin Jenkins May 12, 2020

Gov. Jay Inslee was the focus of ire at a 'Hazardous Liberty' rally at the Washington Capitol on Saturday. In recent weeks, Inslee has faced growing criticism from Republicans for his response to the COVID-19 crisis.

In recent weeks, legislative Republicans have been fiercely critical of Inslee for not moving more aggressively to reopen the economy. They’ve criticized him on social media, joined protests at the Capitol and even filed a lawsuit challenging his emergency powers.Read More

Jay Inslee Vetoes $235M In Washington Spending As Coronavirus-Caused Fiscal Cliff Looms

By Austin Jenkins April 3, 2020

Gov. Jay Inslee signs Washington's supplemental operating budget into law on April 3, 2020. Before doing so, he vetoed more than $200 million in new spending in anticipation of the fiscal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. CREDIT: Office of the Governor

In anticipation of state revenues cratering because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday vetoed more than $200 million of new spending from the supplemental budget passed by state lawmakers last month.Read More

North Idaho Legislator Urges Constituents To ‘Push Back’ Against Governor’s Stay-Home ‘Edict’

By Nicholas Deshais April 2, 2020

In a video from Redoubt News posted to YouTube April 2, 2020, Idaho Rep. Heather Scott encouraged people to push back against state goverment efforts to address coronavirus

A state legislator in North Idaho is using her official government newsletter to urge constituents to defy Gov. Brad Little’s order to stay home in face of the coronavirus pandemic. Rep. Heather Scott, a Republican who represents the Blanchard area, sent the newsletter Thursday morning. It was titled, in part, “the virus that tried to kill the Constitution.”Read More

Coronavirus Prompts New Mandatory Work Measures At Washington State Agencies

By Austin Jenkins March 16, 2020

Visitors to Western State Hospital and other state facililties are being screened for coronavirus before they are allowed to enter. CREDIT: PHIL THOMAS / ASYLUMPROJECTS.ORG - TINYURL.COM/J28OGDB

Even as Washington Gov. Jay Inslee uses his emergency powers to restrict gatherings of more than 50 people and orders the closure of bars, restaurants and other gathering spaces for at least the next two weeks, state agencies are scrambling to implement emergency measures to protect their employees and those they serve from the rapid spread of coronavirus. Read More

Washington Lawmakers Stop Short Of Banning Pesticide Linked To Neurological Problems

By Courtney Flatt March 14, 2020

File photo. A sign at the property of Eric and Mari Perez in Qunicy, Washington, where houses are surrounded by apple orchards. Some people don't want the pesticide chlorpyrifos drifting from orchards to their property. CREDIT: Megan Farmer/KUOW

Washington regulators must soon consider rules to limit the use of a controversial pesticide that can cause neurological and health problems, especially in young children. A bill passed by state lawmakers this session didn’t outright ban the pesticide, as health and farmworker activists had proposed. Read More

What Passed, What Didn’t In 2020 Washington Legislature (Hint: Coronavirus Changed Plans)

By Austin Jenkins March 13, 2020

As the Legislature adjourned Thursday, 60 days felt like a lifetime ago. A surreal “new normal” had taken hold as Washington finds itself in the grips of a global coronavirus pandemic -- which poses a threat not just to the public, but also to the economy and to state revenues.Read More

Schools Close, Colleges Go Online, Pullman Declares Emergency As COVID-19 Response Ramps Up

By NWPB News March 12, 2020

Gov. Jay Inslee announces a ban on large events and gatherings of more than 250 people in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. CREDIT: King County TV

Pullman and Yakima County declare emergencies. And events with more than 250 people are prohibited in Washington's King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. That's among many updates this week to the expanding COVID-19 outbreak in the Northwest.Read More

Boeing Asked Washington State Lawmakers To Raise Its Taxes. They Did.

By Tom Banse March 12, 2020

Boeing wants to give up a sizeable state tax break to defuse a trade dispute with the European Union and WTO. CREDIT: Boeing Company

Washington state is on the verge of ending a large tax break for the Boeing Company and its parts suppliers. This is happening at Boeing's bidding to head off a bigger hit from threatened European tariffs.Read More

Jay Inslee Orders Nursing Homes To Limit Visitors, Signals Social-Distancing Measures Are Next

By Austin Jenkins March 10, 2020

Warning that the number of coronavirus cases in Washington could double weekly, Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday indicated that mandatory social-distancing measures could be announced this week and, in the meantime, imposed new restrictions on nursing homes.Read More

Climate Stewardship Connects Eastern Washington Faith And Farming To Legislative Action In Olympia

By Courtney Flatt March 5, 2020

Church members at Richland’s Shalom United Church of Christ sing environmental hymns during a service on Feb. 9, 2020, that addressed environmental issues, such as climate change. CREDIT: Courtney Flatt/NWPB

Climate change isn’t a new topic for progressive churches like Shalom United Church of Christ in Richland. But it is perhaps tinged with new urgency. Survey results from the Pew Research Center show that congregations are delving into environmental awareness recently. And so are farmers.Read More

Washington Heath Department Requests Legislators Allocate $100M For Coronavirus Response

By Austin Jenkins March 2, 2020

Washington Sec. of Health John Wiesman testifies before the Senate Ways and Means Committee about the coronavirus outbreak and associated costs.

“We know we’ve got the coronavirus in our community, we know that we’re having some community spread, we know that the risk is increasing,” Sec. of Health John Wiesman told the Senate Ways and Means Committee Monday morning.Read More

Lewis County Pushback Leads Washington Lawmakers To Consider Bottling Plant Restrictions

By Tom Banse February 27, 2020

Craig Jasmer co-founded the Lewis County Water Alliance to fight a proposed water bottling plant near Randle, Washington. CREDIT: Tom Banse/N3

Uproar in Lewis County has pushed the Washington Legislature to the verge of closing the tap for water permits for new water bottling plants statewide. Business groups are mounting an 11th-hour push to stop what they consider to be an overreaction in Olympia that they say could cost jobs and unfairly tarnishes a healthy product.Read More

Washington Lawmakers Ban ‘LGBTQ Panic’ Defense Based On Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation

By NWPB News February 26, 2020

Washington State Capitol CREDIT: BRIANHE / WIKIMEDIA

Washington has joined a growing coalition of states that are banning what are known as "LGBTQ panic" criminal defenses. Advocates say these defenses have resulted in reduced or shortened sentences in cases of violence against LGBTQ people. Now, both houses of the state Legislature have passed a bill that prohibits the use of those defenses. Read More

The Curious Case Of A Big Company (Boeing) That Wants To Give Up A Tax Break

By Tom Banse February 25, 2020

The Boeing Company is bringing an unusual request to state lawmakers in Olympia: please take away our airplane manufacturing tax break. The Washington Legislature seems likely to oblige, but possibly will add some strings to the deal.Read More

Felon Voting Rights Bill Dies On Washington Senate Floor In The Middle Of Debate

By Austin Jenkins February 19, 2020

File photo - Washington prison - Courtesy of Washington Department of Corrections

Legislation to automatically restore the voting rights of convicted felons when they are released from prison has died unexpectedly in the Washington Senate. Majority Democrats abruptly ended debate on the controversial bill Wednesday evening when they realized they lacked the 25 votes needed to pass the measure.Read More

Lobbying Pays Off: Washington Health Insurers Benefit From Change To Consumer-Focused Bill

By Austin Jenkins February 18, 2020

Kaiser Permanente’s Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington is among the largest insurance plans in the state, along with Regence BlueShield and Premera Blue Cross. Together they’ve amassed nearly $4.5 billion in surpluses. At the same time, consumers have faced double-digit premium increases.

Strong opposition and intense lobbying by Washington’s health insurance industry has resulted in a key change to a consumer-oriented measure designed to address rising premium costs.Read More

Odds Improving That Washington May Legalize Sports Betting, But Not Like Oregon

By Tom Banse February 11, 2020

At least in the near term, Washington state lawmakers do not want to have online sports betting as offered by the Oregon Lottery.

A couple of years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for states beyond Nevada to have sports betting. Oregon dove in last year. Idaho, Washington and California have held back. Now, Washington state lawmakers are taking a hard look at legalizing sports betting. But they do not seem inclined to copy much from Oregon's playbook.Read More

Washington Lawmaker Wants To End ‘Better-Than-Boeing’ Tax Break For Prescription Drug Warehouses

By Austin Jenkins February 11, 2020

File photo. Distributors of opioids and other prescription drugs in Washington kept their better-than-Boeing tax break this year, despite a lawsuit against the industry's three largest players. CREDIT: Kevin Mooney/N3

Democratic state Rep. Lauren Davis says Washington’s current approach to helping people with substance use disorders is like a stool that’s missing two legs. While Medicaid pays for treatment, it doesn’t fund pre-treatment services which Davis calls the first leg of the stool.Read More

Legal Betting On The Super Bowl Was A Big Draw In Oregon. Washington Could Be Next

By Tom Banse February 9, 2020

Legal betting on the recent NFL Super Bowl was a winner for the state of Oregon and a handful of Oregon tribal casinos. This comes as legislators in Washington state ponder whether to legalize sports betting too.Read More

Immigrant-Rights Activists Demand Ban On Courthouse Arrests At Olympia Rally

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa February 6, 2020

Former Yakima City councilmember Dulce Gutiérrez spoke to other immigrant rights advocates gathered on the steps to the state capitol as undocumented residents Wendy, Saul and Jorge listened from behind.

Several hundred advocates from across the Northwest rallied in Olympia Wednesday demanding protections for immigrants in Washington. According to ICE, agents are forced to conduct arrests in courthouses because state law prohibits local agencies from enforcing immigration law or collaborating with federal authorities. Read More