State Supreme Court rejects attempt to keep gun measure off November ballot
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A Washington Supreme Court commissioner has rejected an attempt by gun-rights supporters to keep a gun initiative off the November ballot.Backers of Initiative 1639 say they've gathered enough signatures to put the measure to voters and plan to turn those signatures in Friday.The Seattle Times reports that I-1639 would make several changes, including raising the minimum age to buy semi-automatic rifles to 21 and requiring enhanced background checks, training and waiting periods in order to obtain them.Bellevue-based Second Amendment Foundation and other parties on Friday sought to invalidate the signatures, contending changes in law weren't clearly marked on the petition.On Tuesday, Supreme Court Commissioner Michael Johnston dismissed the filing.The campaign for I-1639, backed by the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, has raised $3 million with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen contributing $1.2 million.
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A Washington Supreme Court commissioner has rejected an attempt by gun-rights supporters to keep a gun initiative off the November ballot.Backers of Initiative 1639 say they've gathered enough signatures to put the measure to voters and plan to turn those signatures in Friday.The Seattle Times reports that I-1639 would make several changes, including raising the minimum age to buy semi-automatic rifles to 21 and requiring enhanced background checks, training and waiting periods in order to obtain them.Bellevue-based Second Amendment Foundation and other parties on Friday sought to invalidate the signatures, contending changes in law weren't clearly marked on the petition.On Tuesday, Supreme Court Commissioner Michael Johnston dismissed the filing.The campaign for I-1639, backed by the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, has raised $3 million with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen contributing $1.2 million.
Carbon fee initiative likely to go before Washington voters in November
SEATTLE -- In Olympia, it was cheers and applause as a broad coalition of community, labor and environmental groups delivered more than 375,000 signature they say they gathered in 12 weeks to put I-1631 on the November ballot.“People are tired of waiting, waiting for the federal government, waiting for the state government so I think it’s great we can take it right to the people,” said Becky Kelley, president of the Washington Environmental Council.Campaign manager Abigail Doerr says Initiative 1631 will charge a fee to corporations for pollution.“A normal person shouldn’t have to understand this.
SEATTLE -- In Olympia, it was cheers and applause as a broad coalition of community, labor and environmental groups delivered more than 375,000 signature they say they gathered in 12 weeks to put I-1631 on the November ballot.“People are tired of waiting, waiting for the federal government, waiting for the state government so I think it’s great we can take it right to the people,” said Becky Kelley, president of the Washington Environmental Council.Campaign manager Abigail Doerr says Initiative 1631 will charge a fee to corporations for pollution.“A normal person shouldn’t have to understand this.
Could progressive newcomer Sarah Smith upset 11-term incumbent in Washington primary?
SEATTLE -- Thirty-year-old Sarah Smith and a team of volunteers are hitting the pavement, knocking on door after door to spread the word: She's running for Congress and taking on 11-term Democratic incumbent Adam Smith in the primaries."I had to struggle to overcome this thought in my head of: I'm not from a political dynasty; I'm not supposed to go into politics; I'm working class; I haven't gone up the ladder; I haven't done it the right way; I haven't asked for permission," Sarah Smith said. "I had to really get out of that mindset because at the end of the day, we don't need to ask for permission to run to represent our neighbors."Sarah Smith is a candidate under Brand New Congress and Justice Democrats, the same slates that supported New York's Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who just dealt a crushing defeat to 10-term Democratic Congressman Joe Crowley."I cried when she got elected.
SEATTLE -- Thirty-year-old Sarah Smith and a team of volunteers are hitting the pavement, knocking on door after door to spread the word: She's running for Congress and taking on 11-term Democratic incumbent Adam Smith in the primaries."I had to struggle to overcome this thought in my head of: I'm not from a political dynasty; I'm not supposed to go into politics; I'm working class; I haven't gone up the ladder; I haven't done it the right way; I haven't asked for permission," Sarah Smith said. "I had to really get out of that mindset because at the end of the day, we don't need to ask for permission to run to represent our neighbors."Sarah Smith is a candidate under Brand New Congress and Justice Democrats, the same slates that supported New York's Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who just dealt a crushing defeat to 10-term Democratic Congressman Joe Crowley."I cried when she got elected.
New laws taking effect in Washington this week
More than 200 new laws take effect in Washington state this week, including a package of bills meant to address sexual misconduct at the workplace.
More than 200 new laws take effect in Washington state this week, including a package of bills meant to address sexual misconduct at the workplace.
Bridging the Divide: Politics in America
After decades of public service, U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA) has decided not to seek another term. He sits down with Brandi Kruse to discuss the state of political discourse in America, and what each of us can do to help bridge divides in our own communities.
After decades of public service, U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA) has decided not to seek another term. He sits down with Brandi Kruse to discuss the state of political discourse in America, and what each of us can do to help bridge divides in our own communities.
GOP's Susan Hutchison files to run for U.S. Senate seat held by Maria Cantwell
Former state Republican Party Chairman Susan Hutchison on Friday filed to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Maria Cantwell.
Former state Republican Party Chairman Susan Hutchison on Friday filed to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Maria Cantwell.
Inslee OKs prepaid ballot postage for entire state
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of State Kim Wyman said Tuesday that Washington state will pay for prepaid postage on mail-in ballots in this year's primary and general elections in an attempt to boost turnout — but not for voters in King County, where local officials approved their own measure last week.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of State Kim Wyman said Tuesday that Washington state will pay for prepaid postage on mail-in ballots in this year's primary and general elections in an attempt to boost turnout — but not for voters in King County, where local officials approved their own measure last week.
Voters in King County no longer have to put postage stamp on election ballots
The King County Council on Monday approved prepaid ballots in this year's primary and general elections.
The King County Council on Monday approved prepaid ballots in this year's primary and general elections.
Washington ballot measure would raise age to buy semi-automatic weapons
An organization that supports stricter gun regulations has announced a new ballot measure proposal to raise the minimum age to buy a semi-automatic weapon in Washington from 18 to 21, along with several other restrictions.
An organization that supports stricter gun regulations has announced a new ballot measure proposal to raise the minimum age to buy a semi-automatic weapon in Washington from 18 to 21, along with several other restrictions.
Gov. Jay Inslee signs bill protecting students' free speech
A measure protecting high school and college students' rights to publish and speak freely in school-sponsored media has been signed by Gov. Jay Inslee.
A measure protecting high school and college students' rights to publish and speak freely in school-sponsored media has been signed by Gov. Jay Inslee.
Dozens of bills signed into law, including on sexual harassment, equal pay and guns
The halls of the state Capitol bustled with people on Wednesday celebrating an array of new bills being signed into law.
The halls of the state Capitol bustled with people on Wednesday celebrating an array of new bills being signed into law.
Insurance plans that cover pregnancy must also cover abortions under new Washington law
Pro-choice groups and legislators received a long-awaited win on Wednesday when Gov. Jay Inslee signed the Reproductive Parity Act which requires all health plans that cover maternity care to also cover abortion care. Health plans must also cover birth control.
Pro-choice groups and legislators received a long-awaited win on Wednesday when Gov. Jay Inslee signed the Reproductive Parity Act which requires all health plans that cover maternity care to also cover abortion care. Health plans must also cover birth control.
Washington governor signs package of bills sparked by #MeToo
In the wake of a national conversation about sexual harassment sparked by the #MeToo movement, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday signed a package of bills meant to address sexual misconduct at the workplace.
In the wake of a national conversation about sexual harassment sparked by the #MeToo movement, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday signed a package of bills meant to address sexual misconduct at the workplace.
New law allows Washington co-workers to talk openly about salary
Governor Jay Inslee signed the bill into law Wednesday in a move to support gender pay equality by giving women the chance to find out whether they are undervalued, without the fear of retaliation.
Governor Jay Inslee signed the bill into law Wednesday in a move to support gender pay equality by giving women the chance to find out whether they are undervalued, without the fear of retaliation.
Inslee signs package of voter access bills into law, including automatic registration
Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday signed a package of bills aimed at increasing voter access in Washington state, including a measure to pre-register 16 and 17 year olds and another that allows in-person voter registration to occur the same day of an election.
Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday signed a package of bills aimed at increasing voter access in Washington state, including a measure to pre-register 16 and 17 year olds and another that allows in-person voter registration to occur the same day of an election.
Washington schools now required to teach about improper touching, starting in kindergarten
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The numbers from researchers are startling.One in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused in some form before they turn 18, researchers say, adding that the perpetrators are usually not strangers but family members and people the children know.To try to address the problem, Gov.
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The numbers from researchers are startling.One in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused in some form before they turn 18, researchers say, adding that the perpetrators are usually not strangers but family members and people the children know.To try to address the problem, Gov.
Washington governor set to sign order on orca protections
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is set to establish an executive order calling for state actions to protect the unique population of endangered orcas that spend time in Puget Sound.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is set to establish an executive order calling for state actions to protect the unique population of endangered orcas that spend time in Puget Sound.
New law bans Washington employers from asking about criminal history
A bill that would "Ban the Box" on a job application that asks about criminal history is now law. Governor Jay Inslee signed the Washington Fair Chance Act into law on Tuesday.
A bill that would "Ban the Box" on a job application that asks about criminal history is now law. Governor Jay Inslee signed the Washington Fair Chance Act into law on Tuesday.
Legislature fails to pass bill to let patrol destroy guns
The Washington state Legislature ended its latest session without passing a bill that would allow the State Patrol to destroy firearms confiscated during criminal investigations, instead of trading them with a firearms dealer, who would sell them to the public.
The Washington state Legislature ended its latest session without passing a bill that would allow the State Patrol to destroy firearms confiscated during criminal investigations, instead of trading them with a firearms dealer, who would sell them to the public.
Legislature sued over how it changed police deadly force law
SEATTLE -- Frequent initiative sponsor Tim Eyman is suing Washington state over the constitutionality of the way lawmakers voted to make it easier to prosecute police for negligent shootings.Eyman filed the lawsuit Monday in Thurston County Superior Court, four days after lawmakers approved and Gov.
SEATTLE -- Frequent initiative sponsor Tim Eyman is suing Washington state over the constitutionality of the way lawmakers voted to make it easier to prosecute police for negligent shootings.Eyman filed the lawsuit Monday in Thurston County Superior Court, four days after lawmakers approved and Gov.