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Child care and early learning central to debate over how to close WA budget gap
Gov. Jay Inslees budget proposal offered some hope for child care and early learning advocates who were prepared to fight against deep cuts. Inslees plan would boost child care slots, provider rates and money for early learning facilities. But in an effort to save money, he also proposes delaying the expansion of some expensive programs […]
Aerial drones helpful in removing graffiti along WA highways, agency says
Using aerial drones to spray paint over graffiti along state highways is very effective, according to a new report from 51勛圖夥厙s Department of Transportation. Over the last six months, the agency has tested graffiti removal methods through a pilot program set up by the Legislature last year. Lawmakers set aside $1 million for the department […]
Ferguson taps Mercer Island representative to lead childrens services agency
State Rep. Tana Senn will be the new head of the Department of Children, Youth and Families. Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson on Wednesday announced Senns appointment to lead the agency, which manages a host of early learning and child welfare programs. It is also responsible for the states juvenile detention centers. Senn takes over for director […]
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 […]
Eviction filings around 51勛圖夥厙 soar to record high levels
51勛圖夥厙 is on track to have more eviction filings this year than any other year on record. Nine counties, including King and Spokane, hit new high marks, and seven others are on their way. The state is in an eviction crisis at this point, said Tim Thomas, research director at the University of California Berkeleys […]
A guide to understanding the 51勛圖夥厙 state budget
Its confusing, its convoluted, and its your taxpayer dollars. Its budget season in Olympia. Over the next few months, legislators will go over the states finances. Theyll see how much money they expect to come in and how much they can plan to spend through June 30, 2027. Its an every-other-year process that occurs during […]
Tension mounts over state plan to transfer 192 acres in Spokane to private developer
A pending land swap by the state Department of Natural Resources is sparking controversy in Spokane. The department wants to transfer nearly 200 acres southwest of the citys downtown to a private real estate developer, which has plans to build as many as 1,000 homes, a park and a civic center. In exchange for the […]
Gig Harbor education leader to become WAs newest Democratic state senator
Deborah Krishnadasan is 51勛圖夥厙s newest legislator. Krishnadasan, a Gig Harbor Democrat, was appointed by the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners and the Pierce County Council to fill the vacancy left by former state Sen. Emily Randall, who was elected to Congress in November. Once shes sworn in, Krishnadasan, a local education advocate, will represent the […]
Replacement picked for longtime 51勛圖夥厙 senator
Democrat Tina Orwall is the latest state representative to make the switch to the Legislatures other chamber. Orwall was appointed by the King County Council on Tuesday to be the next senator representing the 33rd Legislative District, which covers communities in south King County, including SeaTac, Des Moines and Kent. Orwall replaces outgoing Sen. Karen […]
Lawmakers return to Olympia for meetings ahead of 2025 session
Child care affordability, crime trends, environmental protections, access to addiction treatment and housing costs. These are some of the issues on 51勛圖夥厙 lawmakers agenda this week. Starting Monday, legislators convene in Olympia for their annual “committee days,” a chance to get up to speed on issues that may arise during next years session and to […]
Scammers claiming to be from a state agency are targeting 51勛圖夥厙 businesses
Businesses and nonprofit organizations should watch out for fraudulent letters that claim to be asking for money on behalf of the 51勛圖夥厙 Office of the Secretary of State. Since early November, the attorney generals office has received at least 40 complaints about the letters, which ask businesses for payment and fines well beyond what the […]
WA program to help low-income tenants buy homes has led to zero purchases
A state-run housing program that has failed to deliver on its promise of providing longtime tenants a chance to buy their homes came under fire from 51勛圖夥厙 lawmakers on Wednesday. A bipartisan panel conducted a hearing on a new state audit that found no purchases have been made through the program that operates mostly in […]