Washington State Legislature

Inslee offers support for temporary delay in new payroll tax for long-term care program

Washington Governor Jay Inslee says he would support a short-term delay in the implementation of a new payroll tax on workers. That tax is scheduled to take effect in January. It will fund a first-in-the-nation long-term care insurance program called WA Cares. Concerns have been raised about details of how the program will work.

Politics

While this WA commission's 'homework was turned in late, it was completed'

The Washington State Redistricting Commission had one job.

Tens of thousands of Washington homecare workers not covered by governor’s vaccine mandate

Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s vaccine mandate covers more than 800-thousand workers in education, state government and healthcare. But there’s one group of hands-on caregivers it doesn’t apply to.

Want to opt-out of Washington’s new long-term care tax? Good luck getting a private policy in time

Long-term care insurance companies have temporarily halted sales in Washington. The move follows a frenzy of interest in the costly insurance policies prompted by a November 1 deadline to opt out of a new state-run long-term care program.

Report: WA law enforcement agencies still cooperate with ICE, despite state law banning practice

Local law enforcement agencies across Washington state have worked with federal immigration agents to detain undocumented immigrants, despite a state law banning such collaborations. That’s according to a new report from the University of Washington Center for Human Rights.

Politics

Unions in Washington state secure wins under Democratic one-party rule in Olympia

If America’s unions are dying, no one told labor leaders in Washington. The state ranks fifth in the nation for union membership. That strength also translates to political power.

Politics

'We have … a voice.' Black lawmakers are changing the conversation in Olympia

The Washington Legislature's Black Members Caucus was formed in 2019. This year the members led on a number of issues, including the enactment of sweeping police accountability measures and passage of a bill that made Juneteenth a state holiday.

Government

The vehicle checkpoints and fencing are gone, but security concerns remain at Washington’s Capitol

At Washington’s Capitol Campus, a post-legislative session calm has settled in. Gone are the State Patrol checkpoints and National Guard troops that...

Former Washington State Patrol sergeant stripped of right to carry a badge

A former sergeant in the Washington State Patrol was stripped of his state peace officer certification on Wednesday over allegations he carried out a...