Articles written by Brooklynn Hillemann
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Bill would lessen trauma of active shooter drills in schools
K-12 schools have more guidance on how to conduct active-shooter lockdown drills with a new bill signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee. The bill prohibits schools from conducting drills involving life-like simulations or reenactments of active shooter...
Emergency powers bill dies late at night
A bill that aimed to limit the governor’s emergency powers died in a late night debate on the floor of the Washington State Legislature just hours before the bill cutoff deadline. Critics had hoped to limit the use of gubernatorial powers, like t...
What passed and what didn't in legislature
Gov. Jay Inslee said lawmakers delivered on his call to take “big, bold, action,” after the 60-day legislative session came to a close March 10 in Olympia, working until the midnight deadline to push through a $64.1 billion supplemental state bud...
New I-5 bridge tops transpo plan
The $17 billion transportation package dubbed “Move Ahead Washington,” is on its way to the Governor’s office for final signature. House legislators passed the 16-year plan on a pair of votes of 54-44 and 57-41 on the final day of the 2022 legis...
New Columbia River bridge at top of $17 billion transportation plan
The $17 billion transportation package dubbed “Move Ahead Washington,” is on its way to the Governor’s office for final signature. House legislators passed the 16-year plan on a pair of votes of 54-44 and 57-41 on the final day of the 2022 legis...
Emergency powers bill dies in late night debate
A bill that aimed to limit the governor’s emergency powers died in a late night debate on the floor of the Washington State Legislature just hours before the bill cutoff deadline. Critics had hoped to limit the use of gubernatorial powers, like t...
Cannabis workers want longer sentences for robberies
Cannabis dispensary owners and employees are hoping to see a decrease in armed robberies with the passage of a bill imposing stricter penalties for offenders. The bill proposes increasing the standard sentence range by 12 months for those found...
Mask mandate in most setting ends March 11
Mask mandate in most setting ends March 11 Washingtonians will see the end of the state masking mandate 10 days earlier than expected, following a dramatic decline in COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths. “We want to move forward as a state a...
Awash in money, legislators propose big spending increases
Small business owners and schoolchildren hurt by the pandemic will see some financial relief with approval of state supplemental budget proposals now under consideration. “We’re looking at the basics, food, shelter, health and cash ass...
Transportation funding moves to state House
A package that pays for free passes on public transportation for young people and upgrades to major bridges are all part of a 16-year transportation funding plan approved by the Washington State Senate. The Senate approved the proposed revenue source...
Democrats push transportation plan
A $16 billion plan, crafted mainly by Democrats, to fund hybrid-electric ferries, high speed rail and highway maintenance is gaining speed in the state Legislature. “‘Move Ahead Washington’ is a promise to put Washingtonians first,” Rep. Jake Fe...
Employment test for marijuana questioned
Washington marijuana users won’t face losing their job over a positive drug test if a proposal under consideration in the state Legislature wins approval. SB 5517 would update the Washington law that currently allows employers to turn-away job a...
Employment test for marijuana questioned
Washington marijuana users won’t face losing their job over a positive drug test if a proposal under consideration in the state Legislature wins approval. SB 5517 would update the Washington law that currently allows employers to turn-away job a...
Future Fund intended to help close income gap
Young adults will be able to access a fund years from now to give them a boost if lawmakers pass a bill aimed at narrowing the gap between the rich and poor. Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, sponsor of HB 1861, said the Washington Future Fund Trust...
Salmon habitat rules would impact agricultural uses
Advocates hope mandatory conservation of key habitat areas will help salmon runs recover, but opponents worry farmers will pay a price. House Bill 1838, to be known as the Lorraine Loomis Act in honor of the late Northwest Indian Fisheries...
Salmon habitat bill roils lawmakers
Advocates hope mandatory conservation of key habitat areas will help salmon runs recover, but opponents worry farmers will pay a price. House Bill 1838, to be known as the Lorraine Loomis Act in honor of the late Northwest Indian Fisheries...
Salmon habitat rules would restrict agricultural uses
Advocates hope mandatory conservation of key habitat areas will help salmon runs recover, but opponents worry farmers will pay a price. House Bill 1838, to be known as the Lorraine Loomis Act in honor of the late Northwest Indian Fisheries...
Bill would post warnings about cold water shock
March 23, 2021 was a sunny day in Lewis County. Zachary Lee Rager, an 18-year-old Centralia teen wanting to take advantage of the pleasant weather, headed to a familiar hang out with some friends, a bridge connecting the banks of Chehalis River....
More aid for college students proposed
College students struggling to balance the cost of higher education with everyday expenses will have the burden slightly alleviated if lawmakers pass a bill increasing access to funds through the Washington College Grant program. The House College &...
Future fund would help close income gap, supporters say
Young adults will be able to access a fund years from now to give them a boost if lawmakers pass a bill aimed at narrowing the gap between the rich and poor. Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, sponsor of HB 1861, said the Washington Future Fund Trust...
Inslee calls for swift action on housing, homelessness, climate change
Immediate action must be taken to address climate change, the housing crisis, transportation, and education, Gov. Jay Inslee said in his annual State of the State address Jan. 11. “We face a variety and dimension of demands greater than ever as we en...
Lawmakers propose Women's Suffrage Day
Women fought a decades-long battle for the right to vote, and now lawmakers want to memorialize the crusade by designating March 22 Women’s Suffrage Day. The 19th Amendment, prohibiting voting discrimination on the basis of sex, was passed over a c...
