Articles written by Laurel Demkovich
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New Washington budget boosts state spending by $2B
The Washington State Legislature passed a $69.8 billion operating budget last year. The added money approved this session will be spent through June 2025 when the state’s budget resets. About half of that money is for “maintenance level” costs for go...
Initiative to prohibit state income taxes has its day in Olympia
In a packed hearing room on Tuesday, Washington lawmakers heard loud and clear from members of the public that many do not want an income tax in their state, county, or city. 6,000 signed in either for or against a citizen backed initiative that...
State Senate pitches new spending
Elementary school children, unhoused residents, electric vehicle owners and soccer fans are all covered in the Washington Senate’s capital budget proposal. Budget writers on Thursday released their $1.3 billion plan, which funds construction and infr...
Mount Rainier National Park to require reservations at popular entrances this summer
Many visitors to Mount Rainier National Park will need reservations this summer to enter some of the park's most popular areas. From May 24 through Labor Day, most visitors entering the Nisqually and...
Ranchers and farmers would help state fight wildfires under proposal in Legislature
Washington lawmakers want the state to partner with farmers, ranchers and others to better fight wildland fires. House Bill 1971 would set up a rangeland fire protection association pilot project...
Inslee acts early to hand off power to a new governor
Come January 2025, a transition of power will occur for the first time in more than a decade in the Washington state governor’s office. The work to ensure the shift goes smoothly after a new governor is elected next year will begin long before the sw...
Conservationists fail to tighten wolf killing rules
Washington fish and wildlife officials have declined a request from conservation groups to tighten restrictions around when wolves that attack livestock can be killed. A petition the groups filed in September with the state Fish and Wildlife...
