Bill targets elected sheriffs for removal by appointed state board without a public vote
OLYMPIA—A divided Washington state Senate committee advanced a bill on February 9, 2026, that would empower a state oversight board to remove elected sheriffs from office if their peace officer certification was revoked, igniting a fierce debate over balancing accountability in law enforcement with the rights of local voters. Senate Bill 5974 cleared the Ways […]
WA income tax on higher earners clears first legislative hurdle
OLYMPIA [Jerry Cornfield]—Democrats advanced controversial income tax legislation out of a key Washington state Senate committee on Monday after pledging more proceeds to local public defender costs and increasing a tax break for small businesses. Senate Bill 6346 passed the Senate Ways and Means Committee on a voice vote. This marked the first legislative test of […]
US Supreme Court denies request by Republican Latino voters to pause the Lasnik redistricting map
Washinton, D.C.—An emergency application for an injunction to the adoption of an alleged gerrymandered court-approved redistricting map ordered by Judge Robert Lasnik of the District Court of Western Washington, was denied on Monday, April 2, by United States Supreme Court Justices whom Justice Elena Kagan, assigned to the Ninth Circuit Court, referred the matter. As […]
Republicans fighting for Latino representation as WA state redistricting dispute heads to US Supreme Court
SEATTLE—On Friday, March 22, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the request to stay (put on hold) the adoption of a redistricting map ordered by Judge Robert Lasnik, of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, on March 15. The matter now heads to the United States Supreme Court where Justice […]
Clinton-appointed judge redistricts out Washington Republican lawmakers
SEATTLE—Judge Robert Lasnik, of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, ordered the adoption of a redistricting map that impacts the boundaries of 13 legislative districts—12 Republican and 1 Democratic—and which redistricts out several Republican and no Democratic lawmakers ahead of 2024 General Election. Judge Lasnik’s decision stems from a January […]
