Washington State Legislature

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.

Politics

'Safe' hospital staffing and limiting emergency powers: 2022 legislative check-in

Washington state lawmakers are working fast this session to correct the record on a number of issue including the state’s plan to fund long-term care and executive emergency powers.

Showing or selling fake Covid-19 vaccine cards could become a crime in Washington

A proposal in the Washington Legislature would make it a crime to use or sell a fake Covid-19 vaccination card. The sponsor says he wants to deter people from even considering the ruse, but he also wants to send a signal to prosecutors to prioritize these cases as a matter of protecting public health.

Washington House votes to delay long-term care tax for 18 months

Following widespread criticisms and voter pushback, Democrats in the Washington state House on Wednesday voted to delay the collection of a new payroll tax to fund a state-run, long-term care insurance program called WA Cares.

Politics

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.

Washington state lawmakers propose year-round standard time to get around Congress

Washington state senators are trying a new gambit to stop the twice-yearly ritual of changing our clocks from standard time to daylight time and back again. A previous effort to move the whole West Coast onto permanent daylight saving time failed to win requisite congressional support. So now, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers is pushing for Pacific standard time to be observed year-round.

Aiming to address ‘armed intimidation,’ Washington lawmakers consider a gun ban at school board meetings and election facilities

A pair of proposals in the Washington Legislature would ban weapons, including firearms, at school board meetings and election facilities, and bar the open carry of firearms at local government meetings. Backers say the new restrictions are needed to address "armed intimidation" and the threat of violence. Opponents call the bills an attack law-abiding gun owners and their constitutional rights.

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.

Republican Senator Doug Ericksen, is dead at 52 after Covid diagnosis

Washington state Sen. Doug Ericksen, a Whatcom County Republican, has died, according to an announcement from the Senate Republican Caucus on Saturday. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Health

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.