Fiscal Fallout: $375 million bond debt indirectly funding operating budget
[The Center Square]—Washington state is quietly raiding a special fund meant for local roads, bridges, water pipes, and sewers and now borrowing money through higher-rate bonds to replenish it — even though the state just collected record tax revenue and passed its biggest tax hike ever, according to an analysis of state fiscal data by […]
John Braun commentary: No matter what income tax backers say, there’s no free lunch
Washington State Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, speaks at a Let’s Go Washington rally supporting initiatives concerning parental rights and barring transgender athletes from participating in girls’ athletics at the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 3. Before the new state income tax passed by Democrats was even proposed as legislation, many of us who oppose […]
Gov. signs Eslick bill creating Blue Envelope Program to improve traffic stops for neurodivergent drivers
OLYMPIA—Legislation aimed at preventing misunderstandings during traffic stops and improving safety for drivers with autism and other neurodivergent conditions has been signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson. House Bill 2323, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Eslick, directs the Washington State Department of Licensing to establish a statewide Blue Envelope Program. The envelope will hold essential […]
Bill on data center restrictions falls short
OLYMPIA [By: Ayeda Masood] – A proposal to impose new regulations on large energy-using data centers died in the Washington Legislature Monday after failing to advance in the Senate. If passed, HB 2515 would have required electric utilities serving emerging large energy use facilities (ELEUFs) to impose special tariffs or policies designed to prevent cost […]
Foster youth guaranteed full-ride college tuition
OLYMPIA [By: By Annika Hauer] — A bill guaranteeing full‑ride college tuition for all foster youth and students who experienced homelessness passed both legislative chambers and now awaits the governor’s signature to become law. The students who qualify are foster youths ages 13 and older and others who experienced homelessness in the year before college. […]
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, […]
Hundreds of Kamiak students walkout of class to protest ICE
MUKILTEO—Hundreds of Kamiak High School students walked out of class on Wednesday, February 4, to protest recent ICE-related deaths and immigration enforcement “without due cause.” The walkout was organized through social media channels and word of mouth. Though Kamiak Principal Stephen Shurtleff, and several teachers, were aware of the walkout prior they approached the protest […]
WA lawmakers push for state to embrace nuclear energy
OLYMPIA [By: Ayeda Masood] – The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is looking for a home for a new nuclear energy site – the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus (NLIC) – and “Washington is the perfect place to put that,” Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, said in an interview. Many nuclear energy-related bills introduced in Washington’s […]
Tension rising over how to spend revenue from proposed WA income tax
OLYMPIA [Bill Lucia] — A day after the Washington state Senate approved an income tax on millionaire earners, Gov. Bob Ferguson said he’s still not satisfied with the bill. He’s previously preached the need to pump a significant portion of the proceeds toward tax relief. On Tuesday, he said lawmakers hadn’t gone far enough and […]
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 […]
