Washington State Legislature

Government

House Democrats hope to head off mass evictions with more than $1B spending in next state budget

Washington House Democrats on Friday unveiled a proposed two-year state budget that seeks, among other things, to head off a wave of mass evictions once...

Politics

Death with dignity act may undergo its first major change in Washington state

The Washington Legislature is considering the first significant changes to the Death with Dignity Act more than a decade after Washington voters approved the law.

March Madness remains off limits for legal sports betting in Northwest, but maybe not much longer

With March Madness getting into full swing this weekend, it's a safe bet that some area fans want to wager on their favored teams in the NCAA basketball...

Government

It’s pedal to the metal as Democrats in Olympia push ahead with pandemic-era agenda

Washington’s 105-day legislative session has crossed the halfway point and a key deadline for policy (non-budget) bills to clear their chamber of origin...

Government

Disability advocates call for accessibility as WA plans for transportation package

Governor Jay Inslee recently called for investment in the state’s aging infrastructure. Now disability advocates are calling on the legislatur to make sure that funding doesn’t leave them behind.

Science

Hydrogen production plant groundbreaking signals renewed interest in alt fuel

A public utility in North Central Washington broke ground Monday for a hydrogen production facility. It's one of several related actions in the Pacific Northwest that reflect renewed interest in hydrogen as a clean alternative fuel.

Politics

Democrats' holy grail: WA Senate approves state capital gains tax

Majority Democrats in the Washington Senate passed a capital gains tax bill - something that's been talked about for a decade - over the weekend. The narrow 25-24 vote followed a nearly four-hour debate, revealing just how contentious the issue is.

Government

WA House passes ban on chokeholds; backs off complete ban on tear gas

Police officers, along with jail and prison staff, would be barred from using neck holds or restraints designed to restrict a person’s airway or blood flow, but the use of tear gas would still be allowed in limited circumstances under a bill that’s passed the Washington House.