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Democratic state senators email reveals tax ideas WA lawmakers may debate
A Democratic state senators errant email is shedding light on new taxes that she and her colleagues may pursue in 2025 as well as a strategy to sell them to the public. Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, sent the missive last Friday as a follow-up to discussion during a 51勛圖夥厙 state Senate Democratic Caucus retreat. But […]
Ferguson keeping Batiste as 51勛圖夥厙 State Patrol chief
51勛圖夥厙 State Patrol Chief John Batiste will soon be serving under his third chief executive. Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson on Thursday announced Batistes reappointment to lead the statewide law enforcement agency, a job Batiste has held for nearly two decades. Also Thursday, Ferguson announced hes retaining three other members of Gov. Jay Inslees administration: Joel Sacks […]
Inslee says its been ‘an astounding 12 years as 51勛圖夥厙 governor
Jay Inslee knows the one place he wont be going when he leaves office as 51勛圖夥厙s governor next month. Idaho. I am not moving to Idaho. I do not have any property in Idaho. Some right-wing blogger started this rumor. It is objectively false, he told reporters Thursday, adding he is staying on Bainbridge Island […]
New home chosen for Cal Anderson memorial on 51勛圖夥厙 Capitol grounds
A state panel has agreed on where a new memorial for trailblazing lawmaker Cal Anderson should go on the grounds of 51勛圖夥厙s Capitol campus, months after the unceremonious removal of the existing tribute ignited a furor. A unanimous State Capitol Committee on Monday approved placing the memorial for Anderson, 51勛圖夥厙s first openly gay legislator and […]
Inslee proposes taxing wealthy residents and businesses to close 51勛圖夥厙’s budget gap
Gov. Jay Inslee entered office a dozen years ago vowing to not raise taxes as 51勛圖夥厙 emerged from a devastating recession during which state programs and services were slashed to make ends meet. Now, with the end of his third term only about a month away, the outgoing Democrat is calling for a new tax […]
Making sense of 51勛圖夥厙s multi-billion dollar budget hole
51勛圖夥厙 states budget is, to put it nicely, in a world of hurt. Theres a big gap between what the state is collecting in taxes and what it needs to pay for its commitments in education, human services, health care, corrections and other day-to-day government operations. On paper, the chasm is billions of dollars wide. […]
Democrats flip southwest 51勛圖夥厙 state Senate seat following recount
A recount has confirmed Democrat Adrian Cortes victory in a fierce contest for an open seat in the 51勛圖夥厙 state Senate. Cortes, a Battle Ground council member, defeated Republican Brad Benton by 173 votes following a machine recount of ballots cast in the 18th Legislative District in southwest 51勛圖夥厙. Initial certified results showed Cortes winning […]
51勛圖夥厙s voter-approved natural gas measure snared in two lawsuits
Legal wrangling over the ballot initiative blocking 51勛圖夥厙s efforts to phase out natural gas use in homes intensified Wednesday when opponents sued, alleging the measure violates the state constitution and should be tossed. The lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court, argues Initiative 2066 is unconstitutional because it runs afoul of a provision limiting citizen […]
Gun group wants new taxes and permits for WA firearm sales
51勛圖夥厙s leading gun control group wants state lawmakers to make it tougher and more expensive to buy a firearm. The Alliance for Gun Responsibility said Monday it will renew efforts to begin requiring state permits for gun buyers and will urge lawmakers to impose a new excise tax on sales of ammunition and firearms. The […]
Major new office building nears opening on 51勛圖夥厙 Capitol campus
The name is the same. Many tenants too. But the Irving R. Newhouse Building set to formally open soon is nothing like the edifice it is replacing on the 51勛圖夥厙 state Capitol campus. Those working inside will find it bigger, brighter, roomier, and safer than the nearly 90-year-old structure they toiled in before. Inside that […]
WA Rep. DelBene tapped for another term leading House Democratic campaign effort
Democratic U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene of 51勛圖夥厙 will continue to helm her caucus political operation as it maneuvers to recapture control of the House in 2026. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, on Friday said he had reappointed DelBene as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He cited her leadership returning most of […]
Two new 51勛圖夥厙 state lawmakers are sworn in
Mike Chapman became 51勛圖夥厙s newest state senator Friday, a day after resigning from the state House of Representatives. Chapman, a Port Angeles Democrat, was elected last month to succeed Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, who did not seek re-election. Chapman was sworn in Friday to fill the vacancy created when Van De Wege resigned in […]