COMMENTRY: See How Snohomish County Legislators REALLY Voted in 2026
We at Future 42 are proud to release our 2026 Snohomish County Legislative Scorecard, an abbreviated version from the state scorecard focused on the votes cast by Snohomish County legislators this session in Olympia. Here, we shine a light on how our state senators and representatives stood on 12 key bills and amendments during the […]
COMMENTARY: Fixing the hidden clogs in our justice system
When we talk about public safety in Washington, the conversation rightly begins with the men and women in blue. The crisis in recruitment and retention of law-enforcement officers remains a paramount concern; we cannot have safety without a proactive presence on our streets. However, a mission isn’t completed just because the first phase is successful. […]
Senator Keith Wagoner Announces Candidacy for Skagit County Commissioner, Position 3
SEDRO-WOOLLEY – Today, State Senator Keith Wagoner (R-39th District) formally announced his candidacy for Skagit County Commissioner, Position 3. Wagoner registered his campaign with the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) in June 2025, shortly after Commissioner Lisa Janicki announced her retirement. A former Sedro-Woolley City Councilmember and Mayor, Wagoner currently serves as State Senator for the […]
2026 Legislative Session: AI, Rural ADUs and new Millionaire Tax debated
EVERETT — Snohomish County state legislators on Tuesday recapped the recently concluded 2026 legislative session during a virtual forum, spotlighting substantial investments in transportation infrastructure while offering sharply different assessments of a new income tax on high earners. The Economic Alliance of Snohomish County hosted the discussion with Senators Marko Liias (D21–Edmonds) and Keith Wagoner […]
2026 Legislative Wrap-Up Featuring Liias, Low, and Wagoner on March 17
EVERETT — Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) will host a virtual 2026 Legislative Wrap-Up on Tuesday, March 17 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., bringing together state lawmakers to discuss key outcomes from the recently concluded Washington State Legislative Session and what they mean for the region’s economy and communities. Part of EASC’s Coffee Chats series, […]
First Amendment Battle Heats Up: Journalists sue WA State House over denied press credentials
OLYMPIA—The Citizen Action Defense Fund (CADF) filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, February 10, against the Washington State House of Representatives and the Washington State Capitol Correspondents Association (WSCCA) on behalf of three prominent journalists—Ari Hoffman, Brandi Kruse, and Jonathan Choe—after all three were denied legislative press credentials to cover proceedings at the Washington State Capitol. […]
Millionaires’ Tax Showdown in Olympia: Fears of Business Exodus vs Calls for Fairness
OLYMPIA—Washington lawmakers heard impassioned pleas from both sides during a packed Senate Ways and Means Committee hearing on Friday, February 6, 2026, over Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax on individuals earning more than $1 million annually. Supporters cast the measure as a vital step toward fixing what they call a […]
Bill to regulate ALPR Cameras passes state Senate, now heads to House
OLYMPIA [CASSIE DIAMOND]—A bill establishing a regulatory structure for automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras advanced out of the state Senate Wednesday, Feb. 4. Senate Bill 6002 would restrict the use of ALPR cameras by state and local agencies, set a retention period for the data collected and limit the sharing of data. ALPR cameras, also […]
WA Senate approves new bill lowering drunk driving limit to 0.05% BAC
OLYMPIA [Jerry Cornfield]—Washington took a major stride Wednesday toward slashing the state’s legal limit for driving drunk. A divided state Senate voted 26-23 to approve legislation to reduce the maximum allowable blood alcohol concentration for drivers from 0.08% to 0.05%. If it makes it through the House and into law, Washington would join Utah with the toughest […]
WSCJTC Arlington Regional Academy holds its first graduation of 27 law enforcement officers
ARLINGTON—Arlington’s Regional Basic Law Enforcement Academy graduated its first class of 27 new law enforcement officers on Tuesday, July 29, since opening its doors back in March. The opening of the training facility is just part of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s (WSCJTC) regional academy model to expand training access and strengthen local […]
