Washington House passes $78 billion state operating budget, Senate and governor to weigh in
The Washington state House passed its operating budget just after midnight on Tuesday, setting the stage for negotiations with the Senate and the governor on a spending blueprint to address a looming multi-billion-dollar shortfall. The House approved the two-year $77.8 billion operating budget on a 54-44 vote in which five Democrats joined all Republicans in opposition. The five Democrats who […]
Falling student performance fuels school funding debate
Holly Koon struggles every day in her 9th-grade biology classes to help students achieve, but sometimes it seems like a losing battle. Chronic absenteeism, growing class sizes and fewer classroom helpers all get in the way of student learning, she said. “All students can absolutely learn, and they can learn to standard,” she said. “I […]
Clash in WA Legislature over proposal to add rules for initiative signers
OLYMPIA—A push by Democratic state senators for greater scrutiny of those circulating and signing initiative petitions advanced in the Washington Legislature on Tuesday over the objections of Republicans and the secretary of state. Opponents of the legislation argue it would impede voters’ ability to engage in the initiative process, which allows citizens to propose changes […]
A Crisis of Leadership in Washington’s GOP: Missteps, Mismanagement, and Missed Opportunities
Election season is the one time during a two-year cycle when the legislative caucuses (House and Senate) and the State and County Party align with a singular purpose: to get Republicans elected. Period. Full stop. For the rest of the cycle, legislative caucuses focus on representing constituents in the legislature, while the State and County […]
Approve I-2124 to get a pay raise, end government’s monopoly on long-term care coverage
All four of the citizen initiatives on the upcoming general election ballot would let people keep more of their own money. That alone is a good reason to support each. Initiative 2124 stands out among those measures, as it literally offers a fast track to a larger paycheck. The passage of I-2124 would give many […]
First three Let’s Go Washington initiatives pass the legislature and now law
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 […]
Legislature holds hearing on initiative concerning personal 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
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
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 […]
Bill to criminalize “false election” political speech introduced
OLYMPIA, Wash., January 17, 2022 – Governor Jay Inslee’s new political speech bill, SB 5843, making it a gross misdemeanor for elected officials or candidates to “willfully lie” regarding the election process and results, underwent its first reading Thursday, January 13, at the Senate level. Inslee first announced he would support this legislation at a […]
