Articles written by Renee Diaz
Sorted by date Results 1 - 14 of 14
Task force on missing indigienous women proposed to continue
A state task force on missing indigenous women, created in 2021, will be extended at least two more years if a Senate-passed bill is approved by the House and governor. The bill, Senate Bill 5477, sponsored by Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, would...
Proposed bill shortens Death with Dignity wait
Terminally ill patients seeking help to end their lives with the aid of a physician shouldn’t have to wait so long to get approval from the state. That’s the position of Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, who said he intends to eliminate barriers...
Finland's president addresses legislature
For the first time in history, a foreign head of state has addressed a joint session in the Washington State Legislature. President Sauli Niinistö, of the Republic of Finland, met with Washington...
Paraeducator test needs reform, educators say
A national test given to people who want to be paraeducators in public schools often slows the process and presents roadblocks for bilingual applicants, some educators say. Substitute House Bill 1015, sponsored by Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos,...
Senate OK's roadside safety measures
Installing automated vehicle speed cameras and other measures to improve highway safety were approved in separate bills by the state Senate Feb. 23. “Speed kills. Our work zones have lower posted speeds for very good reasons. This helps to prevent...
Advocates press for highly capable testing
School districts should be required to test all students to see if they qualify for more challenging classes. That is the message behind Substitute Senate Bill 5072, proposed by T’wina Nobles, D-Fircrest. It requires districts to screen all...
Legislature moving to tighten drunk driving laws
Ashley Bonus said she began her fight against impaired driving after her sister, Stacy Gammons-Ankerfelt, died in an accident in 2012. Now, she wants a new law that lowers the blood alcohol level needed to sustain an impaired driving conviction. “I...
Legalizing fentanyl test strips proposed
Allisone McClanahan suffered from severe chronic pain and fibromyalgia. To ease her pain, the 26-year-old took a pain pill from a friend she thought contained oxycodone. Instead, she died of a drug overdose in 2021. After her death, the toxicology...
Crime victims get added confidentiality
Victims and witnesses who track perpetrators in prison to know when they are released will be able to keep their identities private, if a bill that passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support becomes law. “This bill creates a safer environment...
Constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights stirs support, protest
Mary Le Nguyen stood in front of a group of 70 abortion-rights activists on the Capitol steps for a "reproductive freedom rally" in early January and she shared her personal story of being a survivor...
Effort to make roads safer has bipartisan support
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and Gov. Jay Inslee say they are backing a package of new laws aimed at protecting workers, pedestrians and commuters. New bills would include reducing the blood alcohol concentration limit for operating a...
Bills push for improving salmon habitat, removing barriers to spawning streams
Starting at the Olympia Ballroom in the state capital's historic district, students from across Washington carried inflatable orcas and salmon and marched through the streets of Olympia to the steps o...
Bill would seal name changes for victims of abuse
People who change their names to hide from their abusers should be afforded more privacy. That, at least, is the conclusion Maia Xiao came to after a transgender friend committed suicide after being harassed online despite a name change. Her...
Washington lawmakers set for 105-day session
After two years of an online and hybrid Legislature that severely restricted legislators’ direct contact during the pandemic, the House and Senate chambers were full of people reuniting and greeting each other. at the opening of the state...