Washington AG Nick Brown launches new Worker Rights Unit to combat rampant wage theft

OLYMPIA—Washington Attorney General Nick Brown announced on November 13 the formation of a dedicated Worker Rights Unit within the Attorney General’s Office to enforce the state’s labor laws, address wage theft, and protect workers from exploitation. “Our office’s new Worker Rights Unit will support working people across Washington as they navigate challenges to maintaining quality […]
Trump admin moves to gut Washington’s new medical debt protection

OLYMPIA [Jake Goldstein-Street]—Just months after Governor Bob Ferguson signed a Washington law to keep medical debt off consumers’ credit reports, the Trump administration is looking to block such policies. The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau now says federal law preempts laws like Washington’s. The federal agency’s position is a reversal from the Biden era. Backers of Senate […]
WA State secures $105.6M share from $7B Purdue Pharma opioid settlement

NEW YORK—United States bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane, of the Southern District of New York, ruled on Friday, November 14, to approve a settlement with OxyContin-maker Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler Family, to pay thousands of victims up to $7 billion over 15 years for fueling the opioid crisis. Washington state is expected to […]
Parents, school board members, and educators sue state over bill that modified Parents’ Bill of Rights

OLYMPIA [WASHINGTON STATE STANDARD]—School board directors and parents sued Washington state Thursday to block a Democrat-backed law overhauling rights for public school students and their parents. The policy has become a flashpoint in the national debate over gender inclusivity and diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools. The conservative political group, Let’s Go Washington, has a […]
Signature gatherers for two new initiatives facing harassment and violence

Signature collection efforts by Let’s Go Washington (LGW) are being met by reports of resistance in the forms of alleged verbal harassment, physical violence, and tampering—and they are only into their first week! LGW is collecting signatures for two initiatives: IL26-001 – Strengthening communication between parents and schools; and IL26-638 – Protecting fairness in girls’ […]
Decade of sexual harassment and wage theft exposed in AG lawsuit against bikini barista boss

SEATTLE—Washington State Attorney General’s Office has filed a suit against Jonathan Tagle, the owner of four “bikini barista” coffee stands in King and Snohomish counties. He is accused of subjecting female employees to years of quid pro quo sexual harassment, retaliation against those who resisted, and systemic wage theft, including failure to pay minimum wages, […]
WA AG Nick Brown threatened with suspension of license to practice law

[The Center Square] – Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown was threatened with an interim suspension of his license to practice law for failing to respond to allegations that Brown in his capacity as Attorney General, colluded with private law firm Perkins Coie on an amicus brief filed on behalf of the firm’s lawsuit in federal court against […]
‘Washington State will not be bullied!’ Ferguson vows to defend sanctuary policies against DOJ and DHS

OLYMPIA—Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson (D), joined by elected leaders and community members, held a press conference Tuesday, August 19, addressing United States Attorney General Pam Bondi’s cease and desist letter sent Wednesday, August 13 – ordering Washington state to adhere to federal immigration enforcement efforts or risk federal cuts and criminal prosecution of officials […]
US Attorney General issues ultimatum to Ferguson on sanctuary status

OLYMPIA—In a significant escalation of the federal government’s efforts to enforce immigration laws, United States Attorney General Pam Bondi has notified Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson that the state qualifies as a sanctuary jurisdiction, requiring immediate steps to repeal related policies and affirm compliance with federal statutes, or face potential legal and financial consequences that […]
AG’s Office issues “Know Your Rights” campaign on rent increases

SEATTLE – With a new state law limiting rent increases now in effect, the Attorney General’s Office is informing tenants of their rights and how to file a complaint if they receive an unlawful rent hike. The “Know Your Rights” flyer is available in Arabic, Chinese – Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Dari, English, Korean, Marshallese, […]