Is it constitutional to make election lies a crime? Washington Governor Jay Inslee wants state lawmakers to draw a hard line against election-related mis- and dis-information. Katie Campbell Play AudioListen 10 mins
Inslee has entered the 2022 session Washington Governor Jay Inslee has entered the chat — also known as the Senate State Government and Elections Committee. Inslee testifies before the committee on behalf of his own proposal to criminalize some election-related disinformation and signs the first bills into law. Katie Campbell Play AudioListen 5 mins
A torrent of support for curbing Inslee’s emergency powers as lawmakers take public testimony Washington’s Covid-19 state of emergency is approaching its two-year anniversary. Under current law, the governor has broad emergency powers. But the Legislature is considering new restrictions on that authority. Austin Jenkins Play AudioListen 2 mins
Police reform, guns, and pickleball: First week of Washington's 2022 session Week one of the 2022 legislative session is in the bag – and it’s been a busy one. Katie Campbell Play AudioListen 9 mins
Inslee deploying 100 National Guard to help hospitals, orders pause on non-emergency procedures Following the lead of Oregon and other states, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday that he will deploy 100 members of the National Guard to assist hospitals struggling to respond to a spike in Covid-19 patients due to the highly-contagious omicron variant. Austin Jenkins Play AudioListen 3 mins
Five things to know about Washington’s 2022 legislative session The Washington Legislature convenes on Monday for a short, 60-day session. Top issues include delaying and making fixes to the state's long-term care insurance program, clarifying some of last year's police reforms and deciding how to spend $1.3 billion in leftover federal COVID-19 relief money the state received. Austin Jenkins Play AudioListen 10 mins
This flooded NW Washington town is still 'being put back together' as risk of winter storms grows The threat of severe weather looms over a small northwest Washington community that is still recovering from November floods. Katie Campbell Play AudioListen 5 mins
Inslee orders delay in collection of new long-term care tax from workers Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Democratic leaders in the Legislature announced Friday a delay in the collection of a payroll tax to pay for a new long-term care insurance program in Washington. Austin Jenkins Play AudioListen 2 mins
Natural gas furnaces, water heaters in crosshairs of some Northwest policymakers Fossil fuel use in buildings looks to be the next frontier for climate activists at the state and local level. There's a convergence of activity in the Pacific Northwest right now aimed at phasing out natural gas furnaces and water heaters. Cities from Eugene to Bellingham have teed up bans on natural gas in new commercial buildings. But natural gas has its defenders, too, who have beaten back proposed phaseouts before. Tom Banse Play AudioListen 4 mins
More than 630 days and counting. When will Inslee’s state of emergency end? For months, minority Republicans in the Washington Legislature have called for limits on the governor’s emergency powers. But now even some Democrats are expressing concerns about the open-endedness of the COVID-19 state of emergency and the limited role of state lawmakers. Austin Jenkins Play AudioListen 7 mins
