Budget bills in WA Legislature would tap rainy day fund, spend heavily on legal payouts
OLYMPIA [Jake Goldstein-Street and Bill Lucia] —Democrats in the Washington Legislature on Sunday proposed tapping the state’s rainy day savings account and slashing hundreds of millions of dollars for a child care program for low-income families to balance the state’s budget into next year. But under their plans, the state’s main operating account would have a more […]
A conversation with Dr Steve Woodard, new Mayor of Mountlake Terrace
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE—Dr Steve Woodard was unanimously voted, by the council, to serve as the Mayor of Mountlake Terrace – a privilege he said he is extremely “humbled” by. As such, his ultimate vision for the city, he added, is one shared by the council at large – a vision that has been a collaboration between […]
Lynnwood City Council passes sales tax increase to 10.7%, now highest in Washington state
LYNNWOOD—The council voted 5-1, at its Monday business meeting, to impose a councilmanic 0.1% public safety sales tax increase without voter approval, to fund criminal justice and safety priorities—Council Vice President Derica Escamilla was the lone dissent. Starting April 1, on April Fool’s Day, Lynnwood’s combined sales tax rate will increase to 10.7%—the highest in Washington state. […]
Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins touches on Democratic priorities ahead of 2026 legislative session
OLYMPIA—With lawmakers returning to Olympia on January 12, 2026, the Lynnwood Times met with Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) to discuss the Washington State House Democrat Caucus’ priorities going into the 2026 legislative session. At the highest level, Jinkins said, the party will be seeking to “protect Washingtonians from federal overreach” – a […]
A Year of ‘Recovery and Renewal’: George Hurst on Lynnwood’s future under new leadership
LYNNWOOD—Longtime Lynnwood City Councilman, and community servant, George Hurst was promoted to Mayor by voters in that last General Election under the platform of housing affordability, fiscal responsibility, and public safety. Lynnwood Times Senior Reporter sat down with Hurst to hear how this vision will work in practice, over the next four years, and what […]
A conversation with Mayor Joe Marine and what his next term means for Mukilteo
MUKILTEO—Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine won an historic fourth term in the November 2025 General Election, ushering in four more years of an administration under his leadership—the longest for any mayor since the incorporation of the city in 1947. To hear what’s in store for Mukilteo residents and businesses, Lynnwood Times Senior Reporter Kienan Briscoe met […]
2026 Legislative Kickoff: April Berg, Sam Low, Carolyn Eslick, Marko Liias talk transportation, new taxes, and housing
EVERETT—The Economic Alliance of Snohomish County held a Legislative Kickoff event on Wednesday, December 10, featuring a panel discussion with Washington State Representatives Sam Low (R-39), April Berg (D-44), Carolyn Eslick (R-39), and Washington State Senator Marko Liias (D-21). Topics of conversation spanned the lawmakers’ priorities going into the 2026 legislative session, and an array […]
Lynnwood council wrestles to approve 2.7% COLA increase for non-union staff
LYNNWOOD—Facing a structural budget deficit that is still short approximately $3.1 million, Lynnwood City Council members are wrestling with whether to grant non-represented (GSO) city employees the same 2.7% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) the City is being asked to approve for its unionized AFSCME employees. Human Resources Director Annie Vandenkooy urged the City Council on Monday, […]
Lynnwood Council Confronts $10M Budget Gap, Eyes Tax Hikes, New Farmers Market Initiative
LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood City Council tackled some of the city’s pressing financial and operational issues at its Work Session Monday, November 3, in addition to discussing a new farmers-market initiative at the Lynnwood City Center, and the city’s contract for prosecutorial services. Budget Review and Tax Outlook The bulk of Monday’s Work Session centered on the […]
Eight former Lynnwood leaders slam Frizzell’s failures, endorse George Hurst for Mayor
As former leaders and long-time public servants of the City of Lynnwood, we urge you to vote for George Hurst for Mayor. The city and community cannot afford another 4 years of Christine Frizzell as Mayor. We have witnessed firsthand the incumbent’s incompetence and the damage she has done during her one term as Mayor. […]
