Washington Lt. Governor Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Washington Lawmakers Of Color Announce Departures, One Calls The Work Environment ‘Toxic’

By Austin Jenkins April 26, 2022

State Rep. Kirsten Harris-Talley, a south Seattle Democrat, is one of three lawmakers of color who are not running for reelection after just one full term in office. In an op-ed, Harris-Talley described the legislative work environment as toxic and said she had been betrayed by House Democratic leadership.

In recent years, Washington’s Legislature has grown more diverse. And majority Democrats have emphasized diversity and equity as core values. But now three members of color, out of nearly 30, are stepping down from the Legislature after serving just one full term. One of them describes the legislative work environment as toxic.Read More

Programs For Disabled And Disadvantaged Washington Youth Imperiled After Lieutenant Governor Cancels Funding Amid Ethics Probe

By Austin Jenkins September 21, 2021

Washington Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2019 as part of a fundraiser for an outdoor leadership program for young people with physical and sensory disabilities.

It was supposed to be former Washington Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib's legacy — a pair of programs to serve youth with disabilities and youth from marginalized or disadvantaged backgrounds. But Habib's successor cancelled a contract with the nonprofit that operates the programs after identifying what his office called "suspicious financial activity" during Habib's last year in office.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