Gov. Inslee calls on Washington lawmakers for ‘bold’ action in State of the State speech

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday called on state lawmakers to take action on a multitude of issues during their 60-day legislative session, including addressing the homelessness crisis, helping children impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and taking more steps to address climate change.

Washington State begins 2022 legislative session as COVID looms
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Washington's 60-day legislative session began Monday, and it comes as two state senators have tested positive for COVID-19.

Washington lawmakers set to kick off mostly remote session

Lawmakers in Washington state are preparing to kick off a new legislative session amid the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and much of their work will be done remotely as leaders try to limit the possibility of exposure.

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.

Five-story building in Olympia destroyed by a fire
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A large fire ripped through a five-story building in Olympia. The flames sparked inside an empty building that was under construction?which is now a total loss.

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.

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.