OLYMPIA – Democrats abandoned a bill to require wider background checks for gun purchases late Tuesday after disagreements over the proposals caused the House of Representatives to grind to a halt for a second afternoon Tuesday. “It does not appear we are going to make…
Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, the sponsor of the universal background check bill, talks with Rep. Steve Kirby, D-Tacoma, one of its key opponents, before debate starts on the bill. OLYMPIA -- The House is expected to vote this afternoon on a bill requiring all gun…
OLYMPIA -- Changes to last year's recreational marijuana law that a sponsor says will make it more workable will get a hearing next week in a House committee Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Enumclaw, wants to shrink the distance restrictions for locating stores that sell marijuana and…
OLYMPIA -- Sex crimes involving minors could be prosecuted until the victim turns 30 under a bill that passed unanimously this morning in the House of Representatives. HB 1352 mirrors a bill that passed last week in the and seeks to expand the statute of…
OLYMPIA -- Both chambers are expected to be working feverishly to pass legislation throughout the day ahead of tomorrow's key deadline that will render many unpassed bills dead. Plans to bring up universal background checks for gun purchases hit a major stumbling block Monday when…
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Jay Inslee continued filling cabinet slots today with three appointments. Bud Hover, an Okanogan rancher and former county commissioner, was named director of the Department of Agriculture. John Wiesman, Clark County Public Health director, was named director of the Department of Health.…