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 […]
New State Office of Independent Investigations to investigate first use-of-deadly-force incident
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) will soon begin its first investigation since the agency was created by the state legislature in 2021 in the wake of national calls for accountable use of force following the death of George Floyd and national riots that followed in the summer of 2020. OII is to […]
Washington state wants to increase bureaucrats’ salaries by $1.3 billion despite claims the state is facing a budget shortfall
When Jay Inslee took the job as Governor in 2013, the state’s annual operating budget was approximately $38.4 billion. After 12 years of the Inslee administration, the state is now spending almost twice as much per year, $75.5 billion. Yet, despite this massive increase in state spending, legislators are claiming that they will need another $10-12 billion over the […]
Inslee announces plan for new juvenile rehabilitation facility
OLYMPIA—Washington state’s juvenile rehabilitation (JR) system has been noted in recent years for its innovative, trauma-informed education and therapeutic programming. But 2024 has brought significant challenges. The state’s JR population is increasing, including a 60% increase in young people at Green Hill School since 2023. The resulting overcrowding at certain facilities has created unsafe conditions […]
Easy, low-cost, on-demand travel option from Community Transit to begin in North County
SNOHOMISH COUNTY—Residents in Arlington, Darrington, and Lake Stevens will soon get to try out Zip Shuttle, Community Transit’s latest pilot project. Zip-branded vehicles will start road-testing early in December with a target launch date set for later in the month. The flexible, on-demand rideshare service allows anyone to book a ride within a specified zone […]
Boeing lays out ramp up plan as 33,000 machinists return to work
EVERETT—Tens of thousands of International Association of Machinists (IAM) 751 & W24 union members returned to work Tuesday, November 12, following approval of a historic agreement with Boeing on November 4, ending a 53-day strike that cost the aerospace juggernaut billion dollars in lost revenue. The Boeing Production System follows a lean methodology utilizing Just-in-Time, […]
Third time is the charm: IAM union approves contract
SEATTLE—International Association of Machinists 751 & W24 union members voted, 59 percent, on Monday, November 4, to accept the latest October 31 contract offer from Boeing—the strike has ended. “This is time for us to come together, this is a victory,” International Association of Machinists 751 President Jon Holden said to cheers and a few boos from […]
Washington and Nevada governors activate National Guard for election safety
OLYMPIA—Just days following the destruction of ballot boxes in both Portland and Vancouver on October 28, in what Secretary of State Steve Hobbs called an act of “terror” against “fair elections in Washington state,” Governor Jay Inslee on Friday, November 1, activated Washington National Guard members to support public safety activities related to the 2024 […]
Boeing and IAM announce new contract vote for Nov 4
EVERETT—With the assistance of Secretary of Labor Julie Su, the International Association of Machinist (IAM) 751 & W24 will be allowing its 33,000 members on Monday, November 4, to vote on an updated contract offer by Boeing with hopes to ending a 49-day strike that has cost billions of dollars in lost revenue. “Your Union […]
Inslee and First Spouse invite trick-or-treaters to the Executive Residence for Halloween
Governor Jay Inslee and First Spouse Trudi Inslee invite trick-or-treaters to join them at the Executive Residence in Olympia for a basketball-themed Halloween on Thursday, October 31, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Inslees are cheering for a SuperSonics Halloween. We’re sure the costumes will be a slam dunk. Trick-or-treaters are welcome to bring […]
