Gov Ferguson announces ferry service expansions, including a new hybrid-electric boat
SEATTLE—Governor Bob Ferguson, joined by Chair of Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), Representative Greg Nance (D-Kitsap), and Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler, announced new service expansions to the Washington State Ferry system Thursday, June 13, including a second boat to the Seattle-Bremerton route beginning this weekend. “We are a ferry dependent community. And for […]
US Court Blocks Trump’s Tariffs: A Legal Blow to His Economic Agenda
NEW YORK, N.Y.—The United States Court of International Trade (CIT) on May 28 delivered a significant setback to President Donald J Trump’s trade agenda, ruling that his sweeping global tariffs were unlawful. The decision, now under appeal, threatens the financial foundation of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” a plan combining tariffs with tax cuts that is […]
WA still leads nation in retail theft but Organized Task Force here to stay, for now
On Tuesday, May 20, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed the State’s $78 billion budget with a slew of cuts to account for the $16 billion shortfall. In that budget, however, funding is still planned to continue supporting Organized Retail Theft fighting efforts. The budget utilizes a $1 million proviso that will continue to support the […]
Ferguson signs $77.8 billion budget with largest tax hike in WA state history at $9.4 billion
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson entered office warning that a $16 billion dollar budget shortfall over the next four years would require spending cuts and, as a last resort, higher taxes. On Tuesday, the first-term Democrat appeared satisfied with lawmakers’ work to close the financial gap, signing a two-year state budget and a tax package to produce […]
Bill protecting youth from unscrupulous employers signed into law
EVERETT—As more youth enter the workforce, House Bill 1644, sponsored by Rep. Mary Fosse (D-Everett), increases penalties for companies that violate child labor laws, and makes it easier for the state to bar problem employers (a.k.a. bad actors) from hiring young workers. Companies with three or more serious, repeat or willful safety or youth labor violations […]
Washington legislators pass $78 billion biennium operating budget
This year’s 105-day Washington state legislative session was in many ways a trudge. There was a multibillion-dollar budget deficit to solve. Sharp debate on parental rights and capping rent increases. Clashes over tax policy. Tensions between the new Democratic governor and legislators in his own party. And the unexpected deaths of a sitting senator and a […]
For Whom the Bell Tolls: WA L&I honors the 97 workers who lost their lives on the clock
TUMWATER—The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) honored the 97 Washington State workers who lost their lives due to job-related injuries or illness last year, during its annual Worker Memorial Day ceremony on Thursday, April 24. Held each April, the L&I’s annual ceremony serves as a reminder that preventable workplace injuries and deaths […]
Rep Sam Low’s agritourism bill protecting family farms signed into law
In a victory for Washington’s family farms, Governor Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed House Bill 1261 into law—a bipartisan effort led by Representative Sam Low (R-Lake Stevens) to protect farmers who engage in agritourism from losing their open space tax classification. The new law ensures that activities such as weddings, pumpkin patches, hayrides, and farm […]
Bill restricting out-of-state military forces entering into WA is now law
OLYMPIA—Governor Bob Ferguson on Monday, April 21, signed into law a bill that restricts out-of-state military forces from entering Washington. House Bill 1321, sponsored by Rep. Sharlett Mena (D-Tacoma), requires the Governor’s permission for National Guard troops from other states, territories or districts to enter Washington, unless they are mobilized by the president. Governor Ferguson […]
Plan to raise cap on property tax growth collapses in WA Legislature
Democratic state lawmakers dropped their bid Monday to repeal a voter-approved limit on property tax growth in Washington, excising one of the most controversial revenue-raising ideas they’ve pursued in this year’s legislative session. The proposal, embedded in House Bill 2049, sought to allow an increase in the growth factor from the current 1% cap to as much […]
