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Here’s how leaders in Washington’s Legislature want to spend an extra billion in tax revenue

UPDATED: Mon., Feb. 24, 2020

House and Senate leaders released plans to spend an extra $1 billion on state programs over the next 16 months, taking advantage of an influx in unexpected tax revenue from the strong economy. They have no major tax increases and no major tax cuts.

News > WA Government

Bills aimed at addressing homelessness move forward in Legislature

Sun., Feb. 23, 2020

Lawmakers narrow ideas to fight homelessness, passing several bills to address the crisis by expanding existing programs, helping to build more shelters as well as increasing tenant protections and accessibility of affordable housing.

News > ID Government

Eye on Boise: Another freeze on property tax freeze bill

Sun., Feb. 23, 2020

When it came time to debate HB 409, Rep. Mike Moyle’s one-year property tax freeze bill, in the House on Thursday, it was put off for a second time, this time until Tuesday.

News > WA Government

Spin Control: Liberty State rally had no chance of moving legislation

Sun., Feb. 23, 2020

Proponents of the persistent mirage that is the 51st State of Liberty scheduled, and later wisely canceled, a rally on the Capitol steps Friday.

News > WA Government

Nevada finish doesn’t dampen Elizabeth Warren rally in Seattle

UPDATED: Sat., Feb. 22, 2020

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, seemingly unfazed by a fourth-place finish in the Nevada caucuses earlier in the day, electrified a crowd packed into two buildings at Seattle Center, promising to fight hard for them if they will back her in the upcoming Washington primary.

News > WA Government

Tim Eyman hid $766,000 in contributions, didn’t file reports, judge rules

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 21, 2020

Tim Eyman – a perennial initiative sponsor and 2020 Republican candidate for governor – concealed more than three-quarter of a million dollars in contributions to previous initiative campaigns, a Thurston County Superior Court judge ruled Friday.

News > WA Government

High-capacity magazine ban dies, replacement filed

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 21, 2020

A proposal to ban the sale of high-capacity gun magazines in Washington died by not receiving a vote by a key deadline Wednesday evening, but gun-control advocates quickly reloaded with a new proposal.

News > WA Government

Murray’s choice for Democratic nominee: Whoever can beat Trump

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 19, 2020

Washington’s senior senator said she’s not backing any of the Democratic contenders at this point, but is open to anyone who comes out on top.

News > WA Government

Revenue forecast brings good news for Washington lawmakers

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 19, 2020

Washington lawmakers received good news with the state’s latest revenue forecast showing they have significantly more money to work with as they prepare to unveil their supplemental state budget proposals

News > WA Government

Washington considers new agency to study firearm violence prevention, safety

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 19, 2020

Washington could get a new state agency dedicated to reducing gun violence and improving safety, while certain parts needed to build a firearm could require a background check under bills that passed different chambers of the Legislature Tuesday

News > WA Government

Bill would allow Washington to offer undocumented students college loans

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 19, 2020

The Undocumented Student Support Loan Program would offer students low-interest loans.

News > WA Government

Cellphone use fines could double while driving in school zone

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 18, 2020

Using a cellphone while driving in a school zone could cost you nearly double under a bill passed Tuesday by the House.

News > WA Government

Washington House passes bill to release college transcripts regardless of fees

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 19, 2020

College graduates could get their transcript even if there’s a hold on their account due to unpaid parking or library fees, under a bill that passed the House.

News > WA Government

Washington Senate bill would give consumers access to personal data stored by businesses

UPDATED: Sat., Feb. 15, 2020

Washington residents would have more control over their data and be able to delete it, make corrections or opt out of having their data used by companies for targeted advertising, under a bill passed by the state Senate on Friday.

News > WA Government

Washington Senate gives go-ahead to the ‘Idaho stop’

Thu., Feb. 13, 2020

Something that’s been legal in Idaho for nearly four decades might soon be legal in Washington. But only for bicyclists.

News > WA Government

Inslee signs B&O tax surcharge to pay for expanded college aid

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 11, 2020

A change in state tax law that will hit many professional firms and tech businesses while it helps to pay for Washington’s expanded college scholarship programs was signed Monday by Gov. Jay Inslee.

News > WA Government

Federal attorneys fire opening shot in fight over immigration enforcement restrictions in state of Washington

UPDATED: Mon., Feb. 10, 2020

Federal attorneys in Seattle filed what may be an opening shot in a battle over immigration policies and their enforcement.

News > WA Government

Inland Northwest senators vote along party lines as Senate acquits President Trump

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 5, 2020

Republicans called the effort to remove Donald Trump from the White House an inadequate, partisan exercise, while Democrats said the ongoing concerns about electoral autonomy necessitated a conviction.

News > WA Government

Senate could toughen penalties for crimes involving threats, guns

Tue., Feb. 4, 2020

Washington laws could crack down on a person threatening mass violence and those who try to harass someone by making a false report to 911.

News > WA Government

North Central student earns a trip to Capitol for State of the Union speech

Tue., Feb. 4, 2020

The Satake family of Spokane didn’t need to travel to the other Washington to appreciate the impact of national politics on their daily lives. They see it every day with 17-year-old Jake, a senior at North Central High School, who four years ago was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.

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