Washington State Legislature

Washington Legislature gets religion on earthquake retrofits for older school buildings

An effort to jump-start the pace of earthquake retrofits to vulnerable, older school buildings in Washington state has passed the legislature unanimously. The Evergreen State has lagged behind other West Coast states and provinces in reinforcing schools to withstand strong shaking.

Politics

The end-emic phase is near? Washington's mask mandate ends soon

It's the end of the statewide mask mandate as we know it — and not everyone feels fine.

Washington House jettisons exported fuel tax proposal that angered neighboring states

A proposed tax on gasoline and diesel delivered to out-of-state customers from Washington refineries has gone by the wayside. The Washington House of Representatives voted Tuesday night to jettison and replace the "exported fuel tax" after strong blowback from neighboring states.

Politics

WA Democrats want to increase spending by about $6 billion

The state’s revenue picture just keeps getting rosier and rosier. That means state lawmakers have billions more to spend, save or return to taxpayers; Democrats are opting to spend more.

Government

Democrats in Olympia undeterred by anger from Oregon, Idaho and Alaska over targeted fuel tax

Majority Democrats in the Washington Legislature on Tuesday narrowly beat back a third attempt to squelch a new tax they proposed on gasoline and diesel exported to neighboring states from Washington refineries.

Politics

Washington says goodbye to its mask mandate, but not its state of emergency...yet

Washington state lawmakers are moving forward with legislation to curb the governor’s executive powers. The move comes after strong use of the powers amid the pandemic, and as Governor Jay Inslee is rolling back some Covid-era orders.

Politics

These bills still have a chance as Washington lawmakers close the first half of 2022 session

It's crunch time in Olympia where lawmakers are moving forward with bills that survived their committee deadlines last week.

Politics

Is it constitutional to make election lies a crime?

Washington Governor Jay Inslee wants state lawmakers to draw a hard line against election-related mis- and dis-information.

Politics

As red states impose new restrictions on voting, blue Washington presses ahead with expansions

As the 2022 midterm elections loom, a partisan battle over access to the ballot box continues to be fought in Congress and in state legislatures across the country. Red states are passing new restrictions, while many blue states are making voting more accessible. That includes Washington.

Politics

Inslee has entered the 2022 session

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has entered the chat — also known as the Senate State Government and Elections Committee. Inslee testifies before the committee on behalf of his own proposal to criminalize some election-related disinformation and signs the first bills into law.