WA legislature convenes for 2025 session
Washington lawmakers kicked off the 69th legislative session on Monday, the beginning of a two-year long debate over policy and how to fund the government.
WA proposal to increase penalties for assaulting referees
Proposed legislation in Olympia would increase penalties for anyone who threatens or attacks officials at school sporting events.
WA democrats try to address rent gouging
As rent skyrockets across Washington, state leaders met in Olympia to discuss a solution.
WA leaders talk budget deficit, other priorities ahead of legislative session
Facing a projected budget deficit of over $12 billion over the next four years, majority Democrats say new taxes may be needed. Though incoming governor Bob Ferguson said he is looking to make $4 billion in cuts to close the gap.
Sunshine Protection Act reintroduced
Senator Patty Murray reintroduced the bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act, an effort to eliminate springing forward and falling back every year.
New 2025 WA laws include minimum wage increase, expanded paid sick leave
Several new laws are set to go into effect on January 1 that will impact general workers and health care. Here's what you need to know.
Outgoing WA governor suggests 'wealth tax' to avoid cuts to education and police
Outgoing Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is proposing a novel tax on wealth above $100 million in hopes of plugging a budget shortfall and averting cuts to education, mental health services and police.
WA to guarantee college tuition for low-income students in 2026
Washington state will guarantee free college tuition to low-income students beginning in the 2025-26 academic year.
New WA laws going into effect on January 1
Several new laws in Washington state will go into effect in 2025, impacting general workers and health care.
WA state lawmaker to discuss school safety funding
School safety is once again top of mind for Washington lawmakers, with one senator creating several pre-filed bills to protect local districts.
With WA billions in the hole in the coming years, some Democrats are weighing a wealth tax
The hope of bipartisanship is high for the upcoming session, but Washington lawmakers are facing a financial cliffhanger going into 2025.
Democrats expand power in WA state legislature
As lawmakers head back to Olympia for 2025, the projection is that Washington will be short billions of dollars to operate in the coming years. Some lawmakers say the government needs to be smarter about how they spend taxpayer dollars, while others say more taxes could be the answer.
Environmentalists worry of Amazon's nuclear power investment
Lawmakers say Amazon's investment to expand nuclear power at Hanford may be best for the state.
Trump won about 2.5M more votes this year than he did in 2020
In his defeat of Democrat Kamala Harris, Trump won a bigger percentage of the vote in each one of the 50 states, and Washington, D.C., than he did four years ago.
Snohomish County homeowners push back against proposed 8% property tax hike
Snohomish County is facing significant budget challenges, but its proposal to raise property taxes by 8% is drawing sharp resistance from local homeowners.
Keith Swank, former Seattle police captain, wins Pierce County sheriff race
Keith Swank has 33 years of experience working with the Seattle Police Department.