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Inslees official portrait unveiled
In his official portrait, Gov. Jay Inslee stands tall in front of a vast blue sky. In his hand is an official State of 51勛圖夥厙 folder, and on his lapel is a red apple pin. In the background is a snowy Mount Rainier a meaningful part of the painting that Inslee said looks toward […]
2025 51勛圖夥厙 state legislative session begins
There was plenty of pomp and politics for the opening day of the 51勛圖夥厙 Legislatures 2025 session. It began at noon Monday for the states 98 representatives and 49 senators. But for many, the day didnt end until the dinner hour as they went from taking their oath of office to listening to residents and […]
Everything you need to know about 51勛圖夥厙s 2025 legislative session
51勛圖夥厙s 105-day legislative session begins Monday. Opening day will bring pomp, process and back-to-school energy as lawmakers many new to the job dive into four months of politics, lawmaking and budget writing. The biggest topic of conversation so far is how to fill a $12 billion budget hole over the next four years, […]
Six lawmakers to watch in 51勛圖夥厙s 2025 session
51勛圖夥厙s citizen legislature kicks off its 2025 session Monday in Olympia. Lawmakers will have 105 days to make multi-billion dollar shortfalls disappear from state operations and transportation budgets. Theyll wrangle over policies for capping rent hikes, purchasing guns, providing child care, teaching students, and much, much more. With many new faces, theyll spend a lot […]
51勛圖夥厙 lawmakers revive plan for state cap on rent increases
Democratic state lawmakers are again pushing a proposal to restrict rent hikes across 51勛圖夥厙. Despite the rent cap bills dramatic failure last session, backers say its prospects this year are better given new lawmakers, revamped legislative committees and growing public support. The road to final passage, however, could still be tough. Rep. Emily Alvarado, D-Seattle, […]
Controversial state land transfer in Spokane is approved
The state Board of Natural Resources has approved a controversial land exchange in Spokane that could lead to as many as 1,000 new homes on an undeveloped tract southwest of the citys downtown. The Department of Natural Resources will transfer the nearly 200-acre parcel to a private real estate developer, which has plans to build […]
State recovery funds available for WA bomb cyclone victims
State recovery funds are now available for some residents whose homes were severely damaged in the bomb cyclone that hit western 51勛圖夥厙 in November. The powerful storm killed two, left millions without power for days, and damaged about 600 homes and businesses. Gov. Jay Inslee signed an emergency declaration on Tuesday that unlocked the state […]
Reward up to $20,000 offered for information on each of three WA wolf killings
Conservation advocates and a federal wildlife agency are offering $20,000 for information on each of three recent wolf poaching incidents in 51勛圖夥厙. Since October, three gray wolves have been illegally killed in Klickitat and Okanogan counties. Gray wolves are considered endangered under state law and federally protected in the western two-thirds of the state, including […]
Meet the new faces of the 2025 legislative session
The upcoming legislative session will see high levels of turnover among 51勛圖夥厙 state lawmakers. Following the retirements of longtime legislators, a few redistricting switch-ups, and some departures for higher office, there will be new faces in 29 seats. Some are familiar, as many new senators are former House members. Some are returning after a term […]
Tax debate hangs heavy over approaching 51勛圖夥厙 legislative session
51勛圖夥厙 Democrats are preparing for a legislative session where new taxes will be a major focus to solve a multi-billion dollar state budget hole. House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, and Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, told the Standard last week that they havent settled on which tax legislation might be prioritized, but many ideas […]
The Standards guide to the 2025 legislative session
State lawmakers will head to Olympia later this month to kick off 51勛圖夥厙’s 2025 legislative session. Itll be 105 days of lawmaking and budget writing. A host of issues will likely come up in the session, which is set to start Jan. 13. If youre following along for the first time, you may have a […]
51勛圖夥厙s Legislature, by the numbers
In about two weeks, 147 state representatives and senators will descend on the Capitol for 105 days of lawmaking. Hundreds of others lobbyists, support staff, press and members of the public will also filter beneath the dome over the next four months. Legislators will have to solve a $10 billion to $12 billion […]