Austin Jenkins
Stories
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WA Dept. of Health asking lawmakers for $100M for coronavirus response
As the death toll rises, Washington’s Secretary of Health is asking state lawmakers for $100 million in emergency funds to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. That’s a 10-fold increase over what the Washington Senate approved just last week.
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Politics
Tim Eyman concealed campaign contributions, says judge
A Thurston County judge has found that anti-tax activist and Republican candidate for governor Tim Eyman concealed more than $700,000 in campaign contributions related to his initiative work over a six-year period.
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In middle of debate, felon voting rights bill dies on floor of Washington Senate
Legislation to automatically restore the voting rights of convicted felons when they are released from prison has died unexpectedly in the Washington Senate.
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Health
Health insurance industry lobbying pays off with key change to consumer-minded bill
Strong opposition and intense lobbying by Washington’s health insurance industry has resulted in a key change to a consumer-oriented measure designed to address rising premium costs.
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Health
Where will they go? Washington nursing home for brain injured patients to close
After years of financial challenges, the family-run Delta Rehabilitation Center is preparing to close its doors.
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Proposal aims to nix tax break for drug distributors, address opioid crisis
Approximately 700 people in Washington die from opioid overdoses annually. A lawmaker wants to nix a tax break for drug distributors to address the issue.
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Lawmaker wants to end better-than-Boeing tax break for prescription drug warehouses
Each year in Washington, opioid overdoses kill approximately 700 people . In response to this crisis, a state lawmaker is proposing to repeal a tax...
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Big insurers rack up billions in surpluses, now lawmakers may take a bite of the pie
In recent years, people who buy health insurance on the individual market have experienced steep premium hikes, higher deductibles and increases in other out-of-pocket expenses. At the same time, Washington’s three biggest nonprofit insurers have amassed nearly $4.5 billion dollars in surpluses.
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Washington lawmaker wants to ban openly carried guns at the state Capitol
Following an unpermitted pro-gun rally, a Democratic state lawmaker has introduced legislation to ban openly-carried guns on Washington's Capitol...
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After attacks, Western State Hospital to open new ward for its 10 most violent patients
Nearly a year-and-a-half after a series of vicious patient-on-staff attacks, including one that cost a nurse part of her ear, Western State Hospital is poised to open a new unit to treat its 10 most violence-prone patients.