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Legislature sends $59 billion budget to the governor
• Major transportation funding goes undone • Funnels billions to public health, childcare As the end of the mostly virtual legislative session drew near April 25, Washington state lawmakers passed a hefty $59 billion budget that will funnel m...
Legislature sends $59 billion budget to the governor
• Major transportation funding goes undone • Funnels billions to public health, childcare By Washington State Journal As the end of the mostly virtual legislative session drew near April 25, Washington state lawmakers passed a hefty $59 billion...
Governor gives protections to tenants, reduces help for landlords
Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law an automatic right for tenants to have an attorney, though it came with a catch — Inslee sent back two parts of the bill regarding landlord rental assistance. In a memo after the April 22 bill signing, Inslee said...
Working families tax credit heads for approval
A tax credit for working families in Washington passed the Senate in a bipartisan vote April 11, with lawmakers on both sides saying the exemption for low-income earners was a long time coming. “Expanding and fully funding the Working Families Tax...
Working families tax credit head for approval
A tax credit for working families in Washington passed the Senate in a bipartisan vote April 11, with lawmakers on both sides saying the exemption for low-income earners was a long time coming. “Expanding and fully funding the Working Families Tax...
Senate passes carbon cap after debate on green energy, transportation
Washington State Journal A controversial statewide cap on carbon emissions scraped through the Legislature in a 25-24 vote late April 8 after lawmakers passed a Climate Commitment Act that majority Democrats say will boost the state’s economy and...
Bill kick starts effort for state universal health care
Universal health care for every state resident who wants it could come to Washington by 2026. A bill under consideration now in the state legislature establishes a healthcare commission to develop a comprehensive plan for a publicly funded health...
Legislature considers childcare reforms
Early childhood care and education in the state would see sweeping reform through the expansion of affordable child health and learning services, if a bill in the state Legislature wins approval. “This is a gamechanger for kids and families across...
WA Senate Demo spending plan would boost spending 12 %
Funding for health care, education and efforts to curb houselessness are promised in a $59.2 billion state budget proposal from the Washington Senate Democrats unveiled March 25. “This is an ambitious set of priorities that will guide a...
Bill would end Native imagery for public school
Ivy Pete remembers attending high school football games in her hometown. But instead of pride for her school, she felt humiliated. Pete, a junior in high school in Spokane and member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, said she experienced constant...
Significant police reform on track in legislature
Limits on the use of force by police and investigations of officers who have a pattern of misconduct continue to make their way through the Legislature, with some bills winning broad approval and with some passing only on party line votes. While all...
Significant police reform on track in legislature
Limits on the use of force by police and investigations of officers who have a pattern of misconduct continue to make their way through the Legislature, with some bills winning broad approval and with some passing only on party line votes. While all...
State revenue forecast rosier than expected
Though unemployment and consumer uncertainty remain high, the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council officials told legislators March 3 they felt optimistic a brighter economic future is on its way to Washington. Steve Lerch, the...
Senate approves eviction protections
As the end of an emergency eviction moratorium looms over thousands of Washington renters, a bill requiring landlords to have just cause for evicting a tenant passed the House of Representatives in a 54-44 vote March 7. “Stopping evictions means...
House bill would ban certain choke holds
A ban on the use of chokeholds, military equipment, and most types of car chases by law enforcement passed the House of Representatives after lawmakers voted along party lines in a 54-43 vote Feb. 27. HB 1054 was the subject of much debate. Some...
Police accounability legislation advances
Outrage over deaths of citizens in police custody sparked efforts by lawmakers to address racial equity, hiring and training, and the use of force within law enforcement. Now, nearing the halfway point in the 2021 legislative session, the steps towar...
Mandated homeless shelters draw criticism
Homeless shelters would be located in many cities and counties and supplied with mental health, employment and police resources if a bill under consideration in the state Legislature is adopted. Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, sponsored SB 5107 to...
Bill would ban open-carry at protests
A proposed ban on open-carry weapons during public demonstrations sparked a heated debate on whether the bill unreasonably restricts the Second Amendment to secure the protections of the First. The Senate Law & Justice Committee voted Jan. 28 to...
Bill would establish office to investigate police use of force
Fred Thomas believes if an independent team had investigated his son’s death, the outcome would have been much different. In May 2013, 30-year-old Leonard Thomas was shot by Lakewood police sniper Brian Markert after a four-hour standoff between...
Hundreds debate fast-action bill to skip first phase of recovery plan
Dozens of business owners — from restaurant owners to bowling alley managers — told state officials that continued COVID-19 restrictions place small businesses at risk of permanent closure, but state healthcare officials said a rush to reopen...
Unlawful calls to police get scrutiny for motivation
A person who unlawfully summons the police on someone could face a civil action lawsuit under a proposed law that is gaining traction in the Legislature. Senate Bill 5135 would allow an individual to pursue civil action against a person who called...
Hundreds debate fast-action bill to skip first phase of recovery plan
Dozens of business owners — from restaurant owners to bowling alley managers — told state officials that continued COVID-19 restrictions place small businesses at risk of permanent closure, but state healthcare officials said a rush to reopen...
Bill promotes restoration of voting rights
Formerly incarcerated people would automatically regain their right to vote if a proposed bill in the Washington State Legislature is approved. Rep. Tarra Simmons (D-Bremerton), the first formerly incarcerated person to serve in the Legislature,...
Policing, racial injustice, governor's power on Legislative agenda
This year's legislature won't just be about numbers and budgets: it will explore social inequities, the proper role of policing and just how much authority the governor is due. Gov. Jay Inslee said his budget proposal specifies funds for marginalized...
Use of police force elicits emotional testimony
A proposed ban on the use of chokeholds, unleashed K-9 dogs and other use-of-force tactics by law enforcement is just the beginning of an effort by several state lawmakers to address police violence and its impact on marginalized communities. If...
