Washington State Legislature

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Politics

Time is running out for Washington lawmakers

The momentous George Floyd guilty verdict is still weighing heavily on people’s minds this Friday. At the same time, the Washington Legislature is wrapping up an action-packed session during which lawmakers passed several bills that will significantly change the way police departments operate in this state - and the way our state handles protests.
Angela King

Katie Campbell
Government

After lengthy debate, Washington House passes capital gains tax

The Washington House has approved a bill to institute a seven percent tax on capital gains over $250,000 from the sale of such things as stocks and bonds.
Austin Jenkins
Politics

Will capital gains tax elude Washington lawmakers yet again?

It’s the final week of Washington’s 105-day legislative session. As the hours count down, a number of big issues still being negotiated: the budget, the governor’s climate bills and what to do about a recent Supreme Court ruling that threw out the state’s drug possession law.
Austin Jenkins

Angela King
Government

Dawn of legal sports betting in Washington state in deal with Tulalip tribe

Nearly a year after the Washington Legislature voted to legalize sports betting, terms have been agreed for the first sportsbook to open.
Tom Banse
Government

2 big changes for police use-of-force in Washington state

Amid widespread calls for greater police accountability, Washington state is slated to create an office to independently investigate serious use of force incidents, along with a publicly accessible database documenting police use of force incidents. Several other bills surrounding police reform are close to passage.
Liz Brazile
Government

Billy Frank Jr. in, Marcus Whitman out as part of U.S. Capitol statue swap

In a time of reckoning about historical monuments, Washington state lawmakers found a bipartisan path to change out a prominent statue. A bill signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday begins the process of putting a statue of the late tribal treaty rights activist Billy Frank Jr. in the U.S. Capitol.
Tom Banse
Government

Washington State Patrol sexual misconduct case tests state oversight as police reforms near passage

The son-in-law of the Washington State Patrol chief resigned as a trooper after investigations into allegations of on-the-job sex and sexual assault. He...
Mike Reicher of The Seattle Times

Austin Jenkins
Government

While Oregon’s Legislature feuds, Washington finds a way to work

The two states are both led by strong Democratic majorities and face similar issues. Only one of them is successfully passing legislation.
Dirk VanderHart

Austin Jenkins
Government

The end of for-profit prisons in Washington state is in sight

One Tuesday the Washington legislature passed a bill effectively blocking for-profit private prisons from operating in the state.
Esmy Jimenez
Politics

Washington Dem’s budget: Vaccines, family tax credit, schools reopening

How should the state of Washington prioritize its spending over the next two years? Majority Democrats in the House and Senate have unveiled their spending blueprints.
Austin Jenkins

Angela King

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