A Crisis of Leadership in Washington’s GOP: Missteps, Mismanagement, and Missed Opportunities
Election season is the one time during a two-year cycle when the legislative caucuses (House and Senate) and the State and County Party align with a singular purpose: to get Republicans elected. Period. Full stop. For the rest of the cycle, legislative caucuses focus on representing constituents in the legislature, while the State and County […]
Clinton-appointed judge redistricts out Washington Republican lawmakers
SEATTLE—Judge Robert Lasnik, of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, ordered the adoption of a redistricting map that impacts the boundaries of 13 legislative districts—12 Republican and 1 Democratic—and which redistricts out several Republican and no Democratic lawmakers ahead of 2024 General Election. Judge Lasnik’s decision stems from a January […]
Two Republican political juggernauts not seeking re-election in 2024
OLYMPIA—Former Republican House Minority Leader, J.T. Wilcox (R-Yelm) and Senator Lynda Wilson (R-Vancouver), announce their retirements from the Washington State Legislature. Rep. Wilcox, who serves the Second Legislative District, in a letter on February 28 to lawmakers in the House and Senate, shared that he intends to retire after 14 years from the Washington State […]
After public backlash, Democrat lawmakers will hear 3 of 6 citizen initiatives
OLYMPIA—Washington State House and Senate leaders agree to hold joint public hearings on initiatives I- 2113 (police pursuits), I-2111 (state income tax) and I-2081 (parental rights) on February 27 and 28. Exact times will be confirmed later this week and the hearings will be televised live on the TVW website. “The fact Democrats in the legislature have scheduled three hearings […]
Inslee announces Special Session, County leadership split on illegal drug policy
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., May 3, 2023—Hours after Snohomish County led the state in proposing an ordinance to recriminalize illegal drugs after the failure of legislature’s passage of the “Blake fix,” Governor Jay Inslee announced that he will call a special session to begin on May 16 that will focus on passing a new drug possession […]
Bill to criminalize “false election” political speech introduced
OLYMPIA, Wash., January 17, 2022 – Governor Jay Inslee’s new political speech bill, SB 5843, making it a gross misdemeanor for elected officials or candidates to “willfully lie” regarding the election process and results, underwent its first reading Thursday, January 13, at the Senate level. Inslee first announced he would support this legislation at a […]
Inslee to sign hefty $59 billion biennium state budget
As the end of the mostly virtual legislative session drew near April 25, lawmakers passed a hefty $59 billion biennium budget for 2021-23, an 8.3% increase to last period, that will funnel millions into childcare, public health, rental assistance and addressing the economic impact of a yearlong global pandemic. The budget includes a controversial capital […]
