Lawmakers in Olympia on verge of major policing overhaul
Lawmakers are on the cusp of overhauling policing and police accountability in Washington state, acting with unusual urgency to curb bad behavior by officers following last year’s turbulent protests for racial justice.
Washington House OKs bill expanding tax credit for low-income families
A bill that would expand a tax credit for the state’s low-income workers and families passed the House earlier this week, with an amendment that would ensure the exemption is available to eligible taxpayers for the first time.
State House approves bill for Billy Frank Jr. statue
A statue honoring the late Billy Frank Jr., a Nisqually tribal member who championed treaty rights and protecting the environment, is one step closer to being on display at the U.S. Capitol.
Washington House approves measure to limit evictions during pandemic
The Washington House has approved a measure that would require landlords to provide a valid reason for ending certain leases with tenants.
Washington Senate approves new tax on capital gains
Profits on the sale of stocks and bonds in excess of $250,000 would be subject to a new tax on capital gains under a bill narrowly approved Saturday by the Washington Senate.
Washington Senate Senate approves bill for graduating students to take bridge year
A measure that would allow high school students set to graduate this year or next to stay in school for a "bridge year" to catch up on learning and participate in missed extracurricular activities passed the Washington Senate.
Washington State Supreme Court finds state's felony drug possession law unconstitutional
The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that the state's felony drug possession law is unconstitutional.
Gov. Inslee announces all regions will remain in Phase 2, puts pause on moving backward
Gov. Jay Inslee announced that going forward, all regions in Washington state will remain in Phase 2. A pause has been put on going backward.
Washington Senate approves open carry ban at Capitol, permitted rallies
Openly carrying guns and other weapons on the Capitol campus and at or near permitted public demonstrations across Washington would be prohibited under a measure approved by the state Senate Thursday.
Senate OKs measure creating state Office of Cybersecurity
In response to a security breach that exposed personal information from around 1.6 million unemployment claims filed last year, the Washington Senate has unanimously passed a measure that creates a state Office of Cybersecurity.
Washington Capitol to honor Black pioneer with monument
Pioneer George Bush led families to the Pacific Northwest and intended to settle in Oregon, but Black exclusionary laws barred him from living there. The group instead settled in what is now Tumwater.
Washington Senate OKs bill requiring police to intervene if fellow officers use excessive force
The Washington state Senate on Tuesday approved a measure requiring police to intervene if they see a fellow officer using excessive force — one of several measures in the Legislature prompted by the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd and ensuing Black Lives Matter protests last year.
Washington state bill advances that would ban Native American mascots at schools
The use of Native American names, symbols and images would be banned from being used as school mascots, logos and team names at most public schools in Washington under a bill passed Tuesday by the state House of Representatives.
Washington Senate committee approves capital gains tax on sale of high-profit stocks
A capital gains tax on the sale of high-profit stocks and bonds has been approved by a Senate fiscal committee.
The Divide: Legalize drugs? Ban tear gas? State lawmakers weigh controversial bills
This week on "The Divide": A look at some of the most controversial public safety bills being debated in Olympia, including a bill that would decriminalize drugs and another that would drastically limit the use of police K-9s.
Eastern Washington farmers sue state over COVID-19 rules they say fails to protect migrant workers
Two farm groups are suing the state of Washington for failing to revise emergency regulations that seek to protect migrant farmworkers from the COVID-19 virus.
Employees, guests forced to take shelter after group tries to take over Olympia hotel
Employees and guests at an Olympia hotel had to take shelter for several hours Sunday after a homeless activist group tried to take over and give beds to people experiencing homelessness.
Washington house approves bill that waives some graduation requirements during a state of emergency
The Washington House has approved a bill that would waive some graduation requirements for individual students during a state of emergency.
State Senate passes unemployment bill to help Washington workers, businesses
The Washington Senate has passed a measure that would increase the minimum weekly benefit for unemployed workers starting in July and would prevent a dramatic increase in unemployment taxes paid by businesses.