WA State Senate adopts new rule restricting press in chamber to ‘maintain decorum’
OLYMPIA—In a voice-only vote, the Washington State Senate on Wednesday, March 27, overwhelmingly adopted a rule within its last four weeks of the Legislative Session to restrict members of the press from “the wings” and adjacent areas of the of the Senate unless accompanied by a sitting senator or senator’s staff member. The members of […]
Latest deadline in Washington Legislature fells more bills
More legislation fell by the wayside Friday, February 28, in the Washington Legislature, including bills on signature gathering for ballot initiatives, free school meals and ballot box tampering. Friday was the deadline for bills to pass through fiscal committees, like Senate Ways and Means and House Appropriations. With a multibillion-dollar deficit hanging over the session, […]
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 […]
RIP: Bills that didn’t survive the WA Legislature’s Policy Committee deadline
OLYMPIA—Bills dealing with cow burps, the state flag, and changes to police traffic stop standards are among the first to land in the legislative graveyard this year in Olympia. This session, lawmakers in the state House and Senate have introduced nearly 1,800 bills. To stay alive, much of that legislation needed to get voted out […]
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 […]
House Democrats push 200% increase on property tax cap
OLYMPIA—Democratic state lawmakers are aiming to erase a voter-approved limit on annual property tax hikes as a way, they claim, to generate hundreds of millions of dollars for public schools and local governments. The state House Finance Committee held a hearing Tuesday on House Bill 1334 which would repeal a 1% cap on annual growth for property […]
Making sense of Washington state’s multi-billion-dollar budget hole
OLYMPIA (The Washington Standard)—Washington state’s budget is, to put it nicely, in a world of hurt. There’s a big gap between what the state is collecting in taxes and what it needs to pay for its commitments in education, human services, health care, corrections and other day-to-day government operations. On paper, the chasm is billions […]
Snohomish County state lawmakers talk 2025 legislative priorities
EVERETT—Under the theme “One County, One Voice,” Representative Mary Fosse (D-Everett) moderated a bipartisan forum hosted by the Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) on December 5 at Elks Lodge in Everett where panelists discussed housing affordability, behavioral health, childcare, economic development and labor force, transportation, infrastructure, and public safety. With Washington state facing a projected […]
Senate Democrats set new leadership, committee membership of 2025 session
OLYMPIA—The Senate Democratic Caucus voted Thursday, November 21, to confirm committee leadership and membership positions for the 2025 legislative session. The 2025 session will bring eight new members to the Senate Democratic Caucus. Seven senators decided to retire or run for another office following the 2024 legislative session, and Democrats added a 30th member — […]
Pedersen elected new WA State Senate Majority Leader
TUKWILA—Senator Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) will be the new Senate Majority Leader in the Washington State Senate, following a vote among Senate Democrats on Monday, November 11. Pedersen will take over immediately as Sen. Andy Billig (D-Spokane) prepares to retire after 14 years of service in the Legislature, including six years (2018-2024) as leader of the […]
