April 25, 2024 9:00 pm

The premier news source for Snohomish County

County approves ballot measure to expand Port of Everett boundary

Port Everett boundary

EVERETT—On March 12, 2024, the Snohomish County Council unanimously approved a motion to place the petition by the Port of Everett for boundary enlargement on the August 2024 primary ballot. Council action follows a historic first by the Port of Everett Commission, which on December 19, 2023, unanimously passed Resolution No. 1220 directing Port staff […]

Washington State Legislature passed a record high number of citizen initiatives in 2024

Washington initiatives

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

three initiatives

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

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 […]

Legislature holds hearing on initiative concerning personal income tax

income tax

OLYMPIA—The Senate Ways and Means Committee and the House Finance Committee held a joint public hearing to discuss a citizen initiative, I-2111, concerning personal income tax, in the John L. O’Brien building in Olympia Tuesday, February 27. The joint meeting was chaired by Representative April Berg (D-Mill Creek). There was a total of 181 testifiers […]

The People vs Washington State, hearing schedules released for initiatives

washington 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 […]

After public backlash, Democrat lawmakers will hear 3 of 6 citizen initiatives

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 […]

Port of Everett presents expansion to County Council for ballot approval

Port Everett

EVERETT—Port of Everett CEO & Executive Director Lisa Lefeber gave a presentation on expanding its boundaries to the Snohomish County Council during their legislative session on January 24. The Council is expected to vote on moving the ballot measure forward in mid-February. The port’s decision is influenced by public outreach conducted in 2018 and 2019. […]

All six Let’s Go Washington initiatives certified for legislature by SOS

Washington initiatives

TUMWATER—All six Let’s Go Washington initiatives have been certified to the legislature after a careful review of the nearly three million signatures garnered. This marks the first instance in state history where six initiatives to the legislature have been certified in the same year. The signatures have been verified by the Office of the Secretary […]

Inslee visits Port of Everett, discusses electrifying WA’s maritime industry

Port Everett electrifying

EVERETT—Washington State Governor Jay Inslee visited the Port of Everett’s Pier 3, Wednesday, January 17, where officials are electrifying key infrastructure to reduce carbon pollution and improve overall air quality at the working waterfront. The port recently received a $5 million investment from the Climate Commitment Act funds to electrify its Pier 3 to serve […]

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