Signature gatherers for two new initiatives facing harassment and violence
Signature collection efforts by Let’s Go Washington (LGW) are being met by reports of resistance in the forms of alleged verbal harassment, physical violence, and tampering—and they are only into their first week! LGW is collecting signatures for two initiatives: IL26-001 – Strengthening communication between parents and schools; and IL26-638 – Protecting fairness in girls’ […]
SOS Hobbs responds to DOJ’s request for sensitive voter information, partially
OLYMPIA — Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs responded to the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) request for all fields of Washington’s voter registration data today, September 21, but only the publicly disclosable information permitted under state law. Earlier this month, on September 8, the Washington State Secretary of State’s Office received a letter from the U.S. Department […]
Decade of sexual harassment and wage theft exposed in AG lawsuit against bikini barista boss
SEATTLE—Washington State Attorney General’s Office has filed a suit against Jonathan Tagle, the owner of four “bikini barista” coffee stands in King and Snohomish counties. He is accused of subjecting female employees to years of quid pro quo sexual harassment, retaliation against those who resisted, and systemic wage theft, including failure to pay minimum wages, […]
DOJ requests sensitive information on WA voters from Secretary of State but Hobbs refuses
OLYMPIA— On Monday, September 8, the Washington State Secretary of State’s Office received a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting a full copy of the Washington state voter registration data within 14 days. Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, and his office, assessed the request and ultimately decided they would not release […]
‘Washington State will not be bullied!’ Ferguson vows to defend sanctuary policies against DOJ and DHS
OLYMPIA—Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson (D), joined by elected leaders and community members, held a press conference Tuesday, August 19, addressing United States Attorney General Pam Bondi’s cease and desist letter sent Wednesday, August 13 – ordering Washington state to adhere to federal immigration enforcement efforts or risk federal cuts and criminal prosecution of officials […]
US Attorney General issues ultimatum to Ferguson on sanctuary status
OLYMPIA—In a significant escalation of the federal government’s efforts to enforce immigration laws, United States Attorney General Pam Bondi has notified Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson that the state qualifies as a sanctuary jurisdiction, requiring immediate steps to repeal related policies and affirm compliance with federal statutes, or face potential legal and financial consequences that […]
AG’s Office issues “Know Your Rights” campaign on rent increases
SEATTLE – With a new state law limiting rent increases now in effect, the Attorney General’s Office is informing tenants of their rights and how to file a complaint if they receive an unlawful rent hike. The “Know Your Rights” flyer is available in Arabic, Chinese – Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Dari, English, Korean, Marshallese, […]
Free, trauma-informed youth hotline releases report on its first year
SEATTLE—In the first year since launching, 161 youth (aged 0-25) and concerned individuals in 20 counties across Washington contacted HearMeWA – the free, trauma-informed youth hotline. HearMeWA is a text and phone hotline available 24 hours a day in multiple languages and that fully complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act’s visual and hearing guidelines. […]
US Dept of Education releases $137 million in frozen funds to Washington State
OLYMPIA—The United States Department of Education announced Friday, July 25, that it will release the entirety of the $137 million in frozen funds to Washington state. “This is a welcome change in direction—school districts, educators, families, and students can take a deep breath knowing vital services won’t be abruptly ended or reduced in the upcoming […]
Washington joins 24-state lawsuit to dispense billions in education funding
SEATTLE—Attorney General Nick Brown announced that his office has joined 24-state lawsuit against the United States Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget for withholding $7 billion in non-competitive formula grants used for funding for various after-school, summer and English learner programs. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction estimates that […]
