What’s the cost if WA voters reject capital gains tax, end cap-and-trade?
A pair of new reports outline financial consequences if voters approve ballot measures this fall repealing Washington’s capital gains tax and scrapping its cap-and-trade program. Passing the initiatives will dry up significant streams of revenue the state government is counting on for programs ranging from child care and early learning to electric vehicles and clean […]
Hundreds of thousands of households eligible for $200 credit on electric bills
OLYMPIA—State officials rolled out a program on Monday, July 29, providing a one-time $200 credit on electric bills for up to 675,000 low- and moderate-income households in Washington. Funded with proceeds from the state’s auction of pollution credits, it’s the most visible investment yet from the Climate Commitment Act, a 2021 law that critics say is driving […]
Complaints by progressive groups against Let’s Go Washington won’t be sent to AG’s office
OLYMPIA—The state Public Disclosure Commission decided Thursday, July 25, to retain jurisdiction on a complaint alleging Let’s Go Washington and its founder Brian Heywood violated campaign finance laws in the course of gathering signatures for six initiatives last year. An alliance of progressive groups, which filed the complaint a year ago and is now opposing three of […]
Initiative against banning natural gas in WA state gets 546,000 signatures
OLYMPIA—The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW), Let’s Go Washington, the Washington Hospitality Association (WHA) and others on Friday, July 5, submitted the final round of petitions supporting Initiative 2066 to protect natural gas as an energy choice, bringing the total to 546,000+ signatures in 50 days. The 546,000+ signatures gathered is the second-highest for […]
Over 430,000 signatures submitted for initiative against banning natural gas
THURSTON COUNTY—The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW), Let’s Go Washington, and the Washington Housing Association celebrated submitting 431,063 signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office Tuesday, July 2, to qualify placing Initiative 2066 (I-2066) – to protect natural gas as an energy choice and prevent gas bans – on the upcoming November ballot. By […]
Sheriff’s Office publishes new vehicular pursuit standards to its policy manual
SNOHOMISH COUNTY—Last Thursday the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office added policy 307 to its Law Enforcement Policy Manual which details the agency’s approach to how it will conduct a vehicular pursuit moving forward. In that policy, specifically section 307.3.1, Deputies are authorized to initiate a vehicular pursuit when it is “reasonable to believe” that a suspect, […]
Washington State Legislature passed a record high number of citizen initiatives in 2024
The Washington State Legislature adjourned this year’s legislative session on March 7 passing three citizen-initiated initiatives into law—the most ever for a single year. From 1912, when the state’s initiative process was established, to 2023, just six Initiatives to the Legislature (ITLs) have received legislative approval. With three approved this year, the total increases to […]
First three Let’s Go Washington initiatives pass the legislature and now law
OLYMPIA—Three of six Let’s Go Washington landmark initiatives to the legislature passed both chambers of the Washington State Senate and House on Monday, March 4, and will become law in 90 days after the Legislature adjourns on March 7—no signature by Governor Jay Inslee is needed. The three initiatives that did not receive public hearings […]
Washington lawmakers hold public hearing on police pursuit initiative
OLYMPIA—The Senate Law and Justice Committee and the House Community Safety, Justice, and Reentry Committee held a public hearing on February 28 to discuss I-2113, the police pursuit initiative. A total of 161 people signed up to testy in which 151 were in favor of the initiative; another 5,483 people signed a petition not to testify […]
The People vs Washington State, hearing schedules released for 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) for Tuesday, February 27 and Wednesday. February 28. Democratic leadership has confirmed that I-2117, a repeal of the Climate Commitment Act, I-2109, a repeal of the capital gains tax and I-2124, an opt-out of Washington’s long-term care retirement program will […]
