Rep Sam Low’s agritourism bill protecting family farms signed into law
In a victory for Washington’s family farms, Governor Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed House Bill 1261 into law—a bipartisan effort led by Representative Sam Low (R-Lake Stevens) to protect farmers who engage in agritourism from losing their open space tax classification. The new law ensures that activities such as weddings, pumpkin patches, hayrides, and farm […]
Washington House passes $78 billion state operating budget, Senate and governor to weigh in
The Washington state House passed its operating budget just after midnight on Tuesday, setting the stage for negotiations with the Senate and the governor on a spending blueprint to address a looming multi-billion-dollar shortfall. The House approved the two-year $77.8 billion operating budget on a 54-44 vote in which five Democrats joined all Republicans in opposition. The five Democrats who […]
Hundreds attend grand opening of new North County PUD Office Complex in Arlington
ARLINGTON—Replacing the Snohomish County Public Utilities District (PUD) offices in Stanwood and Arlington that were seismically deficient, the new $43.5 million North County Office Complex is now open. The new centralized location will serve north Marysville, Arlington, Darrington, Stanwood and Camano Island. PUD will continue to accept drop-box payments at its former Stanwood office location […]
Who is voting for what: Future 42 releases its scorecard for local governments
Future 42 Snohomish County has analyzed key 2024 votes in the Snohomish County Council, and the city councils of Edmond, Everett, and Lynnwood into a custom scorecard for each to help inform residents if local council members are reflecting their values with their votes. Snohomish County Council 2024 Scorecard Below are some of the key votes that […]
Lynnwood Times names Lovick, Low, and Peterson as its 2025 Legislators of the Year
The Lynnwood Times is recognizing both Washington State Representatives and Snohomish County Council members Sam Low (R) and Strom Peterson (D) for their support of a set of new animal cruelty bills which changed the landscape of how animals are protected, and those found guilty of animal cruelty are penalized, in Washington. These set of […]
‘Friday the 13th’ budget protest: County Exec will not sign Council-adopted budget
EVERETT—In a surprising use of his authority, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, known for his reserved and sagacious leadership, announced late Friday afternoon that he will not sign the $3.22 billion 2025-26 biennium Council-adopted budget. “Since receiving the budget from the County Council on November 27, my team and I have been carefully reviewing what […]
County Council adopts $3.22 billion biennial budget with split vote
SNOHOMISH COUNTY—After months and careful deliberation, the Snohomish County Council adopted its first biennial Budget during a Public Hearing Monday, November 25—a $3.22 billion operating budget for the upcoming 2025 and 2026 fiscal years. “As the Chair of the Council, I am so proud of my fellow Councilmembers who all deliberated both passionately and respectfully […]
County budget talks heated, new questions arise of former sheriff’s residency
EVERETT—Controversary surrounds former Snohomish County Sheriff Ty Trenary after a damning audit report by George Skiles, Partner at Sjoberg-Evanshenk Consulting, on both Executive and Council Office staffing operations, pointed to “duplicative” and “overlapping” staff positions as a contributing factor to a proposed $3.07 billion 2025 Biennial Budget. While the number of core staffing positions has remained relatively the […]
County Executive clears the air and stands firm with $3 billion budget proposal
SNOHOMISH COUNTY—A week after a damning audit report by George Skiles, Partner at Sjoberg-Evanshenk Consulting, County Executive Somers stands firm and clears the air on his proposed 2025 Biennial Budget. Below is a statement by Snohomish County Executive Somers in its entirety: “As budget deliberations continue, my priority remains sustaining core county services that deliver for our […]
County Executive says funds are tight, a recent audit could point to why
SNOHOMISH COUNTY—In Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers’ proposed 2025 Biennial Budget, he said funds are tight for the county driven by inflation, rapid population growth, and COVID relief funds hitting the end of their limits. But a recent county audit, conducted on both Executive and Council Office staffing operations, may point to another contributing factor […]
