WA legislator Andy Billig contracts COVID-19
Washington lawmaker Andy Billig tested positive for COVID-19, Senate Democrats announced Saturday.
Pandemic still backdrop as WA lawmakers start new session
The 2022 legislative session in Washington will look much like the one a year ago: a limited number of lawmakers on site at the Capitol, and committee hearings being fully remote due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Washington orders 5.5 million at-home tests for public
Gov. Jay Inslee said Wednesday the state has ordered 5.5 million at-home tests to distribute to the public and will improve booster vaccine access and supply about 10 million free protective masks amid a steep increase in COVID-19 cases due to the more contagious omicron variant.
Washington’s new secretary of state mandates vaccines
In one of his first acts as Washington Secretary of State, Democrat Steve Hobbs has told his some 300 staff to become vaccinated against COVID-19 by Feb. 25, or face losing their jobs.
Washington lawmakers file bill to delay long-term care tax
Washington state lawmakers have filed a bill to be introduced that would delay the implementation of the mandatory long-term care payroll tax.
Visitation restrictions in effect at Olympia, Centralia hospitals
Providence Southwest Hospitals announced that it was updating its visitation policy in response to help control the spread of the omicron variant, and to protect caregivers and patients.
Department of Corrections fined $60K for COVID rule lapses
The Washington Department of Corrections has been fined $60,000 for failing to enforce COVID-19 protective measures at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen.
Warming center to open in Olympia following hazardous weather declaration
Olympia is opening a warming center on Saturday as an advisory for hazardous weather has been declared across Thurston County.
Washington marks one year of COVID-19 vaccinations
One year ago today, the first COVID-19 vaccines were administered in Washington.
Inslee unveils climate proposals ahead of budget plan
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday announced several climate related proposals for the next legislative session, including a plan to offer rebates for new and used electric vehicles, on top of the sales tax exemption that currently exists for such vehicles in the state.
City of Olympia to clear out Deschutes Parkway homeless camp
The city of Olympia will remove and clear a homeless encampment on Deschutes Parkway on Dec. 8.
Potential delay of new long-term care payroll tax considered
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday he is talking to lawmakers about a potential delay in the collection of a mandatory payroll tax to fund Washington state’s new long-term care program.
Lawsuit filed over WA House’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for lawmakers
A handful of Republican state lawmakers and others are suing Democratic leaders and a House official over a plan that allows a limited number of lawmakers vaccinated for COVID-19 on the chamber floor during the upcoming legislative session.
Steve Hobbs sworn in as Washington’s 16th secretary of state
Steve Hobbs was sworn in Monday as Washington’s 16th secretary of state, the first person of color to head the office and the first Democrat to hold the position in 56 years.
New plan allows only vaccinated Representatives in House chamber
The Washington state House on Thursday released its plan for the upcoming legislative session, announcing a limited number of vaccinated lawmakers will be allowed on the chamber floor and that unvaccinated representatives will need to undergo COVID-19 testing three times a week in order to work in their on-campus offices.
Sen. Steve Hobbs appointed as Washington Secretary of State
Gov. Inslee named state senator Steve Hobbs as Washington's next Secretary of State.
Class action lawsuit filed against Washington's new mandatory long-term care tax
Opponents of a mandatory payroll tax to fund Washington state’s new long-term care program filed a class action lawsuit Tuesday in federal court seeking to stop the January start of the payroll premium for most employees in the state.
Washington Supreme Court to decide police privacy case
The Washington Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday in a case that will decide whether the identities of Seattle police officers who attended events in the nation’s capital on the day of the insurrection are protected under the state’s public records law.
Gov. Inslee signs executive order for electric fleet
Governor Jay Inslee has signed an executive order that seeks to move state government to an all-electric fleet of vehicles by 2035.