Articles written by Joseph Claypoole
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Proposed phone tax would pay for suicide prevention efforts
Connecting people considering suicide with immediate help is the aim of a proposed law that funds a 988 emergency number with a new tax on phone lines. HB 1477, introduced by Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, is aimed at tackling issues within...
All counties move to Phase 3 on Monday
All counties are eligible for Phase 3 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Healthy Washington reopening plan on March 22. Inslee made the announcement March 11 following a downward trend in COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations across the state over the past m...
Proposed phone tax would pay for suicide prevention efforts
Conncecting people considering suicide with immediate help is the aim of a proposed law that funds a 988 emergency number with a new tax on phone lines. HB 1477, introduced by Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, is aimed at tackling issues within...
State scholarship progam getting legislative boost
The College Bound Scholarship for Washington students is being reworked to reach more students across the state. Currently, students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches during the 7th or 8th grade sign a form with their guardian pledging...
Clean fuels bill approved by House
A low carbon fuel bill passed the state House of Representatives Feb. 27 in a 52-46 vote with every Republican voting no. Its next stop is the Senate. The bill directs the Department of Ecology to institute rules that require refineries to produce...
Bill would permit mixed drinks with takeout
People will continue to be able to get a mixed drink with their takeout food until 2023 under a bill now moving to the state Senate for consideration. Delivery and curbside/takeout service of alcoholic beverages and spirits has been in force during...
Year-round-school may come to Washington
, Summer months come to an end; children head back to school, but they've experienced summer learning loss and now require remedial education. Every year, teachers across the US say the first month of school after summer break usually is spent...
Governor defends regional reopening plan
Gov. Jay Inslee defended his plan to phase in the opening of businesses by region, saying he knows it goes too slow for some people. “Everybody can have a rational argument against what we’re doing, but you can’t argue with the results,” Inslee...
New suicide review team proposed in House bill
The COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating a problem already plaguing youth in Washington -- suicide. Rep. Gina Mosbrucker, R-Goldendale, says HB 1354 is key to finding out why rates of suicide are climbing in Washington and on how to stop the trend....
$25.8 billion transportation package would hike gas tax 18 cents
Washington drivers will pay an extra 18 cents per gallon in gas taxes if a new 16-year, $25.8 billion transportation package backed by House Democrats is approved. The gas tax includes a 3 cent tax increase on diesel as well as a 1% increase on...
Inslee lowers eligible age for vaccinations
Just when residents of Washington will have access to a COVID-19 vaccine depends on how many doses the federal government delivers and how many the state can administer in a day. Currently, the state...