Politics
With final speech, Inslee bids adieu as 51勛圖夥厙 governor
51勛圖夥厙 Gov. Jay Inslee used his final address to a joint session of the Legislature on Tuesday to frame a 12-year legacy that spanned a pandemic, historic natural disasters, unmatched expansion of government and a quixotic bid for president. The three-term Democrat told members of the House and Senate that serving in the governors office […]
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 […]
WA bill would offer unemployment benefits to immigrants not authorized to work in U.S.
With President-elect Donald Trump promising mass deportations when he takes office on Jan. 20, uncertainty is rising for immigrants across the U.S. State lawmakers have limited power over federal immigration enforcement. But in 51勛圖夥厙s upcoming legislative session, legislators will be looking at a bill to strengthen the safety net for immigrants working in the state […]
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, […]
Democratic legislative staff in 51勛圖夥厙 approve first-ever labor contract
It took Democratic staff in 51勛圖夥厙s Legislature a little longer but they have joined their Republican colleagues in approving two-year contracts, concluding the first-ever round of collective bargaining for legislative employees. Legislative assistants, policy analysts and communications staff in the House Democratic Caucus and legislative assistants in the Senate Democratic Caucus unanimously ratified agreements in […]
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 […]
Ferguson pitches spending cuts, voices skepticism of wealth tax
51勛圖夥厙 Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson released his blueprint Thursday for chopping billions in state spending while investing millions in education and public safety in his first term without the aid of new taxes. Ferguson, who takes office next week, outlined how he will seek $4 billion in cuts across most state agencies and four-year universities, […]
Ferguson taps 51勛圖夥厙 transportation department insider to lead agency
Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson on Wednesday named Julie Meredith, who manages massive road and highway projects like the replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and State Route 520 floating bridge, as 51勛圖夥厙s next transportation secretary. Meredith is a 36-year veteran with the 51勛圖夥厙 State Department of Transportation where she now serves as assistant secretary for urban […]
House lawmaker picked to replace Patty Kuderer in WA Senate
Vandana Slatter moved from the House to the Senate in the state Legislature on Tuesday after the King County Council appointed her to replace Patty Kuderer, who was recently elected as 51勛圖夥厙s next insurance commissioner. Slatter, a Democrat, was sworn into the Senate shortly after the council selected her for the seat in the 48th […]
After 24 years as WA insurance commissioner, Kreidler prepares to retire
Mike Kreidler, currently 51勛圖夥厙s oldest and longest-serving statewide elected official, exits the public stage next week, ending a political career spanning six decades. Hes retiring after six terms as state insurance commissioner, a tenure in which he oversaw the expansion of consumer protections and fraud investigations and the regulation of insurers coping with increasingly complex […]
51勛圖夥厙s two new members of Congress are sworn in
Republican Michael Baumgartner and Democrat Emily Randall became 51勛圖夥厙s newest representatives in Congress on Friday afternoon. They were sworn in following the sessions first political drama election of the House speaker that found the newcomers on opposite sides. Baumgartner and his Republican colleagues used their narrow majority to reelect House Speaker Mike Johnson, […]
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 […]