WA bans on face coverings, ghost guns, nitrous oxide close to becoming law
There are seven days left before this year’s legislative session is over. Bills making their way to the finish line include ghost guns, federal agents wearing masks and new laws on nitrous oxide.
There are seven days left before this year’s legislative session is over. Bills making their way to the finish line include ghost guns, federal agents wearing masks and new laws on nitrous oxide.
WA bill to strengthen laws against child sex abuse heads to governor's desk
A new bill aimed at strengthening Washington’s child sex abuse laws, particularly involving sexually explicit generative AI content, is now headed to the governor’s desk.
A new bill aimed at strengthening Washington’s child sex abuse laws, particularly involving sexually explicit generative AI content, is now headed to the governor’s desk.
"Net nanny" bill dies in WA legislature
A bill to loosen restrictions and sentencing guidelines for child predators caught organizing in-person meetups online did not make it far in the Washington Legislature.
A bill to loosen restrictions and sentencing guidelines for child predators caught organizing in-person meetups online did not make it far in the Washington Legislature.
WA bill aims to strengthen child sex abuse laws
A Washington bill to hold offenders accountable for generating explicit images of children with AI is now headed to the governor's desk.
A Washington bill to hold offenders accountable for generating explicit images of children with AI is now headed to the governor's desk.
WA politicians, communities react to Iran strikes by Trump administration, Israel
The Washington community is reacting to "major combat operations" by the U.S. and Israel unfolding in Iran heading into the weekend, including protesting and statements from politicians.
The Washington community is reacting to "major combat operations" by the U.S. and Israel unfolding in Iran heading into the weekend, including protesting and statements from politicians.
Millionaires tax moves forward in Washington legislature
The controversial push to tax the income of millionaires in Washington state has advanced one more step, and is expected to make it to the full House for a vote next week.
The controversial push to tax the income of millionaires in Washington state has advanced one more step, and is expected to make it to the full House for a vote next week.
Washington House majority leader apologizes after admitting to drinking before committee meeting
A Washington state representative who plays a key role in crafting the state’s budget and major policies could potentially face consequences after admitting to drinking before a legislative committee meeting.
A Washington state representative who plays a key role in crafting the state’s budget and major policies could potentially face consequences after admitting to drinking before a legislative committee meeting.
WA lawmakers advancing bill restricting employers from microchipping workers
With hundreds of bills dying with less than two weeks left before the end of this year’s legislative session, one of the bills advancing has to do with microchipping.
With hundreds of bills dying with less than two weeks left before the end of this year’s legislative session, one of the bills advancing has to do with microchipping.
Fight to reform WA's ‘stunning’ child welfare crisis stalls in Legislature
A push to change Washington's controversial "Keeping Families Together Act" fell short in this year's legislative session.
A push to change Washington's controversial "Keeping Families Together Act" fell short in this year's legislative session.
WA Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon apologizes for drinking before House committee meeting
Washington state Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon apologized after admitting he drank alcohol before appearing at a House Appropriations Committee meeting, calling it a “serious mistake for many reasons."
Washington state Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon apologized after admitting he drank alcohol before appearing at a House Appropriations Committee meeting, calling it a “serious mistake for many reasons."
Lawmaker pushes for transparency in WA's private detention centers
A bill aims to create more transparency in private detention centers in Washington, forcing them to report serious problems to the Department of Health and local law enforcement agencies.
A bill aims to create more transparency in private detention centers in Washington, forcing them to report serious problems to the Department of Health and local law enforcement agencies.
WA lawmakers look to restrict microchipping
Some lawmakers in Olympia believe they need to restrict microchipping, specifically when it comes to requiring or pressuring employees to inject a microchip under their skin.
Some lawmakers in Olympia believe they need to restrict microchipping, specifically when it comes to requiring or pressuring employees to inject a microchip under their skin.
WA leaders divided over Trump's State of the Union address
President Donald Trump held the annual State of the Union address on Tuesday, touting economic and policy victories, yet prominent leaders from Washington State were divided in their response.
President Donald Trump held the annual State of the Union address on Tuesday, touting economic and policy victories, yet prominent leaders from Washington State were divided in their response.
WA lawmakers review duplicate sign-ons on millionaires tax bill
Lawmakers say more than 19,000 duplicate records and over 200 potentially fraudulent sign-ins were identified in public comments on Washington’s proposed millionaires tax bill.
Lawmakers say more than 19,000 duplicate records and over 200 potentially fraudulent sign-ins were identified in public comments on Washington’s proposed millionaires tax bill.
Debate over Washington's millionaires tax heats up
The hottest issue of this year's legislative session continues to heat up, as Washington's so-called "millionaires tax" drew a large crowd to a House committee meeting on Tuesday.
The hottest issue of this year's legislative session continues to heat up, as Washington's so-called "millionaires tax" drew a large crowd to a House committee meeting on Tuesday.
State budget proposal hits record spending amid multi billion dollar deficit
Supplemental budget proposals include increasing spending by about $1.5 billion and withdrawing up to $880 million from the state’s rainy-day fund.
Supplemental budget proposals include increasing spending by about $1.5 billion and withdrawing up to $880 million from the state’s rainy-day fund.
WA Democrats propose $1.5B spending increase despite multi-billion dollar deficit
Democratic lawmakers in Olympia unveiled supplemental budget proposals Monday that would increase state spending by $1.5 billion, despite a looming $2 billion deficit. The plans rely heavily on tapping Washington’s "Rainy Day" fund, with the House and Senate eyeing withdrawals of up to $880 million to cover rising costs and federal funding cuts. Republicans are criticizing the move, arguing it leaves the state with dangerously low reserves and relies on "one-time gimmicks."
Democratic lawmakers in Olympia unveiled supplemental budget proposals Monday that would increase state spending by $1.5 billion, despite a looming $2 billion deficit. The plans rely heavily on tapping Washington’s "Rainy Day" fund, with the House and Senate eyeing withdrawals of up to $880 million to cover rising costs and federal funding cuts. Republicans are criticizing the move, arguing it leaves the state with dangerously low reserves and relies on "one-time gimmicks."
WA governor proposes revenue from millionaire tax go to sales tax holidays
Governor Bob Ferguson says a portion of the revenue raised by the "millionaires tax" should fund two annual sales tax holidays.
Governor Bob Ferguson says a portion of the revenue raised by the "millionaires tax" should fund two annual sales tax holidays.
WA Democrats have weeks to pass millionaires tax
Democrats in Olympia only have several weeks to push their so-called "millionaires income tax" to the finish line.
Democrats in Olympia only have several weeks to push their so-called "millionaires income tax" to the finish line.
High profile bills in Olympia, WA die with just weeks to go
With three weeks left in Washington’s legislative session, several high-profile bills have failed to advance.
With three weeks left in Washington’s legislative session, several high-profile bills have failed to advance.