RIP: Bills that didn’t survive the WA Legislature’s Policy Committee deadline
OLYMPIA—Bills dealing with cow burps, the state flag, and changes to police traffic stop standards are among the first to land in the legislative graveyard this year in Olympia. This session, lawmakers in the state House and Senate have introduced nearly 1,800 bills. To stay alive, much of that legislation needed to get voted out […]
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 […]
Hundreds speak out against proposed 8% property tax increase
SNOHOMISH COUNTY—Hundreds gathered in the Jackson Board Room of the Snohomish County Campus’ Robert Drewel Building Tuesday morning, November 13, to speak out against a proposed general property tax levy increase of 8% drafted in County Executive Dave Somers’ proposed $3.07 billion biennial budget. The Executive’s proposed 2025/2026 budget increases the County’s general property tax […]
Police records point to inconsistencies in Riaz Khan’s assault claim
MUKILTEO—The Lynnwood Times followed up with State Representative Republican candidate Riaz Khan on how he is coping following what he claims was an attack by two politically and racially motivated individuals during the early morning of Tuesday, October 29 at the intersection of Goat Trail Road and Mukilteo Speedway. The Lynnwood Times also obtained 911 […]
County Councilman Nehring to propose elimination 8% property tax increase
EVERETT—Snohomish County Council Vice President Nate Nehring will be proposing a budget amendment to eliminate the 8% general property tax levy increase proposed in County Executive Dave Somers $3.07 billion 2025-26 biennial budget. The amendment eliminates the increase to the general property tax levy and makes corresponding cuts to expenditures in the budget. “Taxpayers in […]
