Washington State Legislature

455 Stories

Can Washington state lawmakers cut their way out of a $2 billion shortfall?

Washington state's 60-day legislative session started Monday in Olympia with lawmakers facing a $2 billion budget shortfall. Washington State Standard reporter Jerry Cornfield has been following lawmakers' attempts to soften the blow.
- Kim Malcolm
Gerrymander Washington state? Democrats want to talk about it

As red and now blue states around the country try to redraw their congressional maps, the conversation in Washington state to this point has been: There’s "literally no way." But Joe Fitzgibbon, the Democrats’ majority leader in the state House of Representatives, wants to start a conversation.
- Scott Greenstone
The year in numbers: 2025 in Seattle and Washington state

Record-breaking protests. A historic run for the Mariners. Mass tech layoffs. The closest local election in decades. Here are some of the numbers that shaped KUOW’s stories this year.
- Teo Popescu
Violent crime is on the decline in Washington state and nationwide

Preliminary data suggest that rates for violent and property crimes in Washington state fell in 2025, continuing the decline that began two years ago. That was the big takeaway in a briefing for state lawmakers Thursday.
- Amy Radil
Interfering with signature-gathering for WA initiatives is on the rise. It's also illegal

Incidents involving signature-gatherers have become increasingly frequent as the group Let’s Go Washington, backed by hedge fund manager Brian Heywood, gears up its second effort to get conservative policies passed in majority-Democratic Washington state.
- Scott Greenstone
Intruder burns, smashes through state Capitol, knocking over Washington bust

A man broke into the Washington State Capitol's Legislative Building on Sunday night, knocked over the giant bronze bust of George Washington, and burned state and county flags.
- Scott Greenstone
Rough night for Seattle incumbents, moderates: 5 takeaways from WA's 2025 primary election

Early results indicate that a slate of progressive newcomers will face off against moderate incumbents in several key Seattle races this November. King County’s government will see a changing of the guard. Property taxes are probably going up in those areas, too.
- Scott Greenstone
Looks like they made it, or not. Highlights from Washington's 2025 legislative session

The work of governing a state comes to a pinnacle every year when the governor signs or vetoes legislation. Nearly 500 bills were completed this session in Olympia. That’s a lot to keep track of. To focus on some highlights, KUOW’s Kim Malcolm spoke to Olympia correspondent Jeanie Lindsay.
- Jeanie Lindsay
Washington cities are decriminalizing magic mushrooms. Could a psychedelic ‘renaissance’ take hold statewide?

Resolutions have decriminalized psilocybin in cities across Western Washington. Studies show psychedelics can help people suffering from trauma, depression, and anxiety. And more people are microdosing for their mental health.
- Stephen Howie
Rent limits become law in WA with signature from Gov. Bob Ferguson

Washington has new limits on annual rent increases. Surrounded by affordable housing advocates, the governor signed the rent limits into law Wednesday – as well as a suite of other housing bills that the Legislature approved this year.
- Jeanie Lindsay

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Washington State Legislature

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