DOJ sues Washington over law requiring priests to break Confession seal
The United States Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Washington State on June 23, challenging Senate Bill 5375, a new law that requires clergy, including Catholic priests, to report child abuse or neglect, even if learned during the sacrament of Confession. The DOJ argues the law violates the First Amendment’s Free Exercise of Religion […]
WA launches brand new police use-of-force database
SEATTLE — The Attorney General’s Office announced Monday the launch of the Washington State Data Exchange for Public Safety (WADEPS), which is ready to collect use-of-force data from the state’s law enforcement agencies in an effort to improve transparency, trust and evidence-based policymaking. The exchange is a publicly available, cloud-based platform to help the public […]
Wood burning device bill is dead for 2025 legislative session
OLYMPIA—The state Department of Ecology is backing off for the year on a proposal to regulate wood-burning stoves sold in Washington state and duplicate standards already imposed by federal regulation, said Senator Shelly Short, R-Addy. “This is great news for the people of Washington, especially areas like mine where so many people rely on woodstoves […]
John Braun commentary: Vote Republican, say ‘no’ to Democrats’ dream of supermajority
Now that the August 6 primary is behind us, voters across our state know who will be on the general-election ballot. While knowing the names of the finalists is important, knowing what all is at stake in this election is even more important. That’s because Washington State Democrats are dreaming of seizing a supermajority in […]
Advocates press for highly capable program testing for all students
ARTICLE UPDATE [3-22-23 @ 2:55 pm]: SSB 5072 that will expand the highly capable program, passed the House on March 22, 2023, with 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1. The Bill heads to the Governor Inslee for signature. OLYMPIA, Wash., February 20, 2023—School districts should be required to test all students to see if […]
