Drivers in Washington state may soon face better odds of getting caught on camera if they run a red light, speed through a work zone on a city street or…
State Government
Washington looks at new ways to clean up graffiti along state highways
Is it a bird, a plane? No, it’s a drone spraying paint over graffiti along Washington’s state roads. Washington may soon employ aerial drone technology to deal with a growing…
Inflation has turned Washington state’s property tax cap into a county budget-killer
For two decades, Franklin County — an agricultural community of about 100,000 in south-central Washington — has been the fastest-growing county in the state. But lately, county leaders have been…
How police reform efforts in the Legislature faltered this year
Police accountability advocates saw nearly every major police reform bill introduced in the Legislature lapse this year. The policies that failed would have created more accountability for instances of police…
Washington hikes initiative filing fee for first time in over a century
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs accomplished something this month that lawmakers could not do the past two decades: increase the filing fee for an initiative. This month the cost…
Extended foster care for young adults up to 21 set to expand in WA
When Daniel Lugo left extended foster care and graduated college, he lost financial support from the state and entered homelessness. Like many college graduates, he didn’t have a job lined…
New income thresholds for property tax exemptions
In Washington state, individuals who meet certain eligibility requirements may receive a reduction of property taxes. New this year, the income thresholds have increased allowing more Washingtonians to qualify for…
Gender wage gap in Washington among widest in nation, analysis shows
The gender wage gap for women in Washington was one of the worst in the nation in recent years. That’s according to an analysis released this month by the nonprofit…
Legislators from 32nd District to host in-person town hall April 10 in Mountlake Terrace
32nd District legislators Sen. Jesse Salomon and Rep. Lauren Davis will be hosting an in-person Town Hall in Mountlake Terrance on Wednesday, April 10 at the Mountlake Terrace City Hall….
How child care fared in this year’s Washington state legislative session
Washington lawmakers this year funneled more money and support toward the state’s struggling child care system, looking to give providers a boost and expand access to day care and pre-K…
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Inslee seeks ouster of regulatory leader amid tumult at agency
The chair of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is under fire over the use of a racial slur and his passive response to employee allegations of bullying, harassment and…
‘Modest at best’: The WA Legislature’s not-so-banner year on housing policy
With 60 days of legislative action come and gone, significant proposals that could have stabilized rent increases, required denser housing near transit stops and increased housing options in rural areas…
Five takeaways from the 2024 Washington legislative session
Thursday marked the end of this year’s session of the Washington State Legislature. Here are five storylines that shaped what happened this year: Initiatives overshadowed the session Democrats were forced…
Transportation Commission to discuss SR 520 bridge toll rates, tech advancements in transportation
The Washington State Transportation Commission will take the first step in considering a toll rate adjustment on the State Route 520 bridge at its virtual meeting on March 13-14 while…
Bills, bills, bills: What passed and failed in the 2024 legislative session
Washington lawmakers introduced almost 1,200 bills this session on education, public safety, taxes, housing and a wide variety of other topics – ranging from Lunar New Year to octopus farming….
WA Legislature ramps up school construction spending
Washington lawmakers approved plans on Wednesday to spend $306 million more on school construction. The funds are part of the capital budget passed by the House and Senate. The legislation…
Economic Alliance Snohomish County presents Coffee Chats: Legislative Session Wrap Up March 12
Economic Alliance Snohomish County is sponsoring a virtual event, Coffee Chats: Legislative Session Wrap Up, on Tuesday, March 12. Attendees can expect to gain insights into the key outcomes of…
Child sex trafficking survivor says update of WA laws will help prevent stories like hers
When Yvonne Hubbell was 16, she stabbed an 81-year-old man soliciting her for sex in self-defense. “He was trying to throw me around and punch me,” Hubbell said of the…
Washington Legislature approves three citizen initiatives
Three citizen initiatives designed to lift restrictions on police vehicle pursuits, prohibit income taxes, and establish a “bill of rights” for parents of K-12 students are set to become law…
Parents caring for disabled children left waiting for pay, as bill fails in WA Legislature
When Katie Scheid’s daughter, Millie, was two years old, their lives changed almost overnight. Millie was diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy, after suffering a stroke in the womb at 39…
State Legislature to vote on three initiatives Monday
The three citizen initiatives that received hearings in the Washington State Legislature last week are bound for floor votes after gaining committee approval on Friday, the Washington State Standard reported….
Washington lawmakers move to rein in unscrupulous rooftop solar companies
Spend much time online and you are bound to be served a few ads tempting you to go solar at no cost. But there is no such thing as “free”…
WA lawmakers approve out-of-state option for long-term care benefit
Workers may soon be able to bring their state long-term care benefit with them if they move out of Washington. A bill to allow eligible retirees to access the $36,500…
Salomon bill to protect salmon from toxic chemicals passes House, Senate
Legislation to protect salmon populations from a toxic chemical passed the House Thursday. According to a press release from State Sen. Jesse Salomon, Senate Bill 5931 would designate all 6PPD…
Major upgrades coming to local early learning facilities, thanks to state grants
The Washington State Department of Commerce announced recently that four local early learning centers were awarded grants through the Early Learning Facilities (ELF) program and will soon see major upgrades. …