Colville Tribes’ response to the “One Big Beautiful Bill”
NESPELEM—Republicans in Congress passed President Trump’s massive piece of legislation referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (“OBBA”). It was signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. No Democrats voted for the bill. Due to the bill’s size of 940 pages, it is difficult to concisely summarize the OBBA. In general, […]
Ferguson announces changes to SNAP benefits due to passage of One Big Beautiful Bill
OLYMPIA—With the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” today in Congress, Governor Bob Ferguson is advising that the approximately one million Washingtonians who receive the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see a reduction in benefits. In addition, the state will now be on the hook for an additional $87.8 million in administrative costs […]
Big Pharma sues Washington State over new 340B drug pricing law
[OLYMPIA | JAKE GOLDSTEIN-STREET]—Two of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies sued Washington state on Wednesday, alleging a new law to tamp down prescription drug prices for hospitals won’t result in discounts for patients. The lawsuits came the same day Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5981. The law passed the Senate along party lines with Democrats […]
Budget bills in WA Legislature would tap rainy day fund, spend heavily on legal payouts
OLYMPIA [Jake Goldstein-Street and Bill Lucia] —Democrats in the Washington Legislature on Sunday proposed tapping the state’s rainy day savings account and slashing hundreds of millions of dollars for a child care program for low-income families to balance the state’s budget into next year. But under their plans, the state’s main operating account would have a more […]
Larsen meets with Edmonds College to discuss the impact of Trump’s spending bill
LYNNWOOD—Representative Rick Larsen (WA-D02) met with the Edmonds College leadership team earlier this month to hear how President Donald J Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” or what Larsen calls the “Big Ugly Law,” will impact student loan repayment plans. The President’s spending bill, which was signed into law on July 4, cancels certain student loan repayment […]
FAA proposes multi-billion-dollar plan to overhaul air traffic infrastructure
On Thursday, May 8, Democratic Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) spoke at a press conference with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy in Washington D.C, who announced plans by the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) to revamp and replace air traffic infrastructure nationwide. As the ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Larsen (WA-02) helped […]
Lynnwood Public Works Director Bill Franz retiring after 30-plus years
LYNNWOOD—After 30-plus years serving the city of Lynnwood, and Public Works Director for the last 16 of those years, Bill Franz is officially retiring this Friday, December 13. He informed the Lynnwood Times that while his tenure serving the people of Lynnwood has been invaluable, he is looking forward to having the time to play […]
It a go! Rep. Berg’s proposal sweetens the Millionaires’ Tax deal for the governor to sign
OLYMPIA—In a historic moment for Washington state, Governor Bob Ferguson and Representative April Berg (D-Mill Creek) have struck a deal to guarantee free breakfasts and lunches to all students enrolled in Washington public schools, regardless of household income, with the passage of the proposed Millionaires’ Tax, SB-6346. “I will sign this version of the Millionaires’ […]
Washington secures $181 million in federal funds for rural health
BALTIMORE—Washington state has secured $181.3 million in federal funding for 2026 as part of a sweeping $50 billion initiative to bolster rural health care nationwide, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Monday, December 29. The award marks the first installment for Washington under the Rural Health Transformation Program, which will distribute $10 billion […]
WA governor calls for tapping reserve fund and climate law cash to fill budget hole
OLYMPIA [JERRY CORNFIELD]—Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson made a splash Tuesday with his full-throated endorsement of taxing the earnings of millionaires. The surprise declaration from the first-term Democratic governor nearly drowned out his newly released plan to erase a multibillion-dollar shortfall in the current state budget. He made “super clear” that if Washington taxes millionaires, the […]
