STATE NEWS: House approves ban on certain police use-of-force tactics
(SYDNEY BROWN/Washington State Journal) A ban on the use of chokeholds, military equipment, and most types of car chases by law enforcement passed the House […]
State
WDFW drafts rules to enforce fish passage statewide
(CLAUDIA YAW/Centralia Chronicle) Rules drafted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to address the more than 19,000 barriers to fish passage across […]
Maycumber bill would create apprenticeship programs in schools across the state
(PRESS RELEASE/Washington State Republicans) Legislation was introduced in Olympia this week to create apprenticeship programs in every Education Service District (ESD) throughout the state. Rep. […]
Washington State Patrol looking to hire 60 new troopers this year
(EMILY FITZGERALD/Centralia Chronicle) Employment: Agency seeks to increase diversity, build community trust… The Washington State Patrol (WSP) has made changes to its recruitment program in […]
STATE NEWS: Washington’s plastic bag ban on hold during COVID-19
(HANNAH KRIEG/Crosscut.com) State legislature passed the ban on single-use plastic bags with bipartisan support in 2020, but the pandemic has delayed it’s implementation… On March […]
STATE NEWS: Police accountability bills push through Legislature
(SYDNEY BROWN/Washington State Journal) Limits proposed on use of lethal force, better training, higher qualifications endorsed… Lawmakers in Olympia are trying to address racial equity, […]
Overdose deaths in Washington show alarming trend in 2020; fentanyl partly to blame
(PRESS RELEASE/Washington Department of Health) Overdose deaths accelerated in Washington in 2020, increasing by 38% in the first half of 2020 compared to the first […]
Inslee signs COVID-19 relief bill, allocating $2.2 billion in federal funding
(PATRIC HAERLE/Washington State Journal) Additional relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is on its way Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill into law Feb. […]
STATE NEWS: Revised capital gains tax advances
(SYDNEY BROWN/Washington State Journal) A capital gains excise tax moved one step closer to approval Feb. 17 despite opposition from Republican lawmakers who call the […]
Washington Republican propose spending plan without raising taxes.
(PATRIC HAERLE/Washington State Journal) Plan ends bonus for National Board Certified teachers, budget balanced without new taxes… House Republicans released their proposed state budget Feb. […]