State health inspectors blocked again at Tacoma immigration detention center
[TACOMA | JAKE GOLDSTEIN-STREET]—Washington state health inspectors have been trying for months to enter the Tacoma immigrant detention center amid longstanding concerns about the conditions there. A federal appeals court ruling last summer paved the way for them to get in, but the private facility’s operator is still denying access, state officials say. Officials from the state […]
Big Pharma sues Washington State over new 340B drug pricing law
[OLYMPIA | JAKE GOLDSTEIN-STREET]—Two of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies sued Washington state on Wednesday, alleging a new law to tamp down prescription drug prices for hospitals won’t result in discounts for patients. The lawsuits came the same day Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5981. The law passed the Senate along party lines with Democrats […]
Gov. signs Eslick bill creating Blue Envelope Program to improve traffic stops for neurodivergent drivers
OLYMPIA—Legislation aimed at preventing misunderstandings during traffic stops and improving safety for drivers with autism and other neurodivergent conditions has been signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson. House Bill 2323, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Eslick, directs the Washington State Department of Licensing to establish a statewide Blue Envelope Program. The envelope will hold essential […]
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 House Passes Bill Banning Masked Law Enforcement Officers
OLYMPIA [Jake Goldstein-Street] — A prohibition on law enforcement covering their faces, motivated by masked federal immigration agents, is one step closer to becoming Washington law. The state House passed the legislation along party lines Tuesday with Democrats in support. The Senate approved it in January. It now heads back to the Senate, which will need […]
No cops hired so far with WA’s new $100 million grant program
OLYMPIA [Jake Goldstein-Street]—Money from Washington’s new $100 million program to boost police hiring has yet to reach cities and counties. Local officials have been frustrated with the rollout of the grants championed by Gov. Bob Ferguson to address Washington’s status as dead last in the nation in police staffing per capita. They complain it’s been […]
