Sexual Abuse Allegations Rock César Chávez Day — But the Farm Worker Movement Lives On
EVERETT — Sexual abuse allegations against César Chávez have led to the cancellation or scaling back of observances for César Chávez Day, which is on March 31, across the country, including the lack of an official proclamation in Washington state this year. “In light of the shocking allegations, the governor will not be issuing a […]
Cost of new I-5 bridge linking Oregon and WA balloons from $4.8B to $14.4B
OLYMPIA [JERRY CORNFIELD]—The price tag to construct a new I-5 bridge linking Washington and Oregon has increased to $14.4 billion, officials from the two states said Tuesday, March 17. That means elements of the massive undertaking will be delayed as all the focus will be on building the new span on I-5 across the Columbia […]
John Braun: There’s no overstating what Democrats just did to our state
Sadly, we’ve now seen just how much damage 90 people can do to our state in 60 days. The 90 people are Democrats: 59 state representatives, 30 state senators and Gov. Bob Ferguson. The 60 days went from Jan. 12 through March 12 — meaning this year’s legislative session. While Republicans fought hard and well […]
Gov Ferguson commentary on 2026 legislative session
When I delivered my State of the State address at the start of this session, I talked about history — particularly the history that we create ourselves. I want to thank legislators, legislative staff and my team for a historic legislative session. I was very specific in articulating key priorities in my State of the […]
New targeted tax in WA aims to keep coal power plant shut down
OLYMPIA [TOM BANSE]—Tax legislation Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Wednesday targets the last coal-fired power plant in the Pacific Northwest. But if the coal tax and a related climate pollution fee work as the Legislature intended, the state treasury will never collect a dime under the new law. That is because the idled Centralia, Washington, generating […]
Income tax bill now headed to governor’s desk
OLYMPIA [The Center Square] – Democrats in the Washington State Senate have given final approval to an income tax bill on Wednesday night, clearing a path for it to head for the governor’s desk for his expected signature. Senate Bill 6346 will put a nearly 10% tax on income north of $1 million a year, or […]
First grants awarded under WA’s new $100M police hiring program
OLYMPIA [Jake Goldstein-Street]—The first two grants from Washington’s new $100 million effort to boost law enforcement hiring have been awarded to local police departments, after months of frustration over the program’s rollout. The Kent Police Department plans to use over $1.9 million in state funding to hire 20 new entry-level officers, according to the state Criminal Justice […]
Washington’s Millionaires’ Tax Passes House, Now Moves to Senate for Final Vote Before Becoming Law
OLYMPIA—After 24 hours 30 minutes and 30 seconds of heated debate with over 80 amendments, the Democratic-led Senate Bill 6346, known as the Millionaires’ Tax, passed the Washington State House Tuesday, March 10, with a vote of 51-46 without any Republican support. The measure could reshape the Evergreen State’s regressive tax system but faces fears […]
Governor Ferguson appoints Theo Angelis to Washington State Supreme Court
OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson made his second appointment to the Washington State Supreme Court today, announcing that Theo Angelis will replace retiring Justice Barbara Madsen. Governor Ferguson made the announcement today at the Temple of Justice. Photos of the event are available here. Video is available here. Angelis is an accomplished attorney with 25 […]
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’ […]
